Rugby Protective Gears Market

Rugby Protective Gears Market Outlook

The global rugby protective gears market is expected to be worth US$ 724.5 Million in fiscal year 2023, up from US$ 700 Million in fiscal year 2022. From 2023 to 2033, the market is expected to grow at a 3.5% CAGR, reaching a value of US$ 1022 Million by the end of 2033.

Rugby has grown significantly as a sport in recent years, and those involved in the sport are making numerous efforts to spread its popularity throughout the world. This has led to a rise in the need for various rugby safety equipment, which has increased sales.

Professional rugby players use cutting-edge training techniques to continually improve their technical skills, which raises the level of competition and adds excitement to the game. Rugby union's inclusion in the 2016 Olympics is a definite sign that the sport is progressing toward gaining international recognition. The introduction of a number of rugby leagues and world championships by World Rugby, the organization that governs the sport of rugby union internationally, is anticipated to have a significant impact on the prospects of the market for rugby protective equipment globally.

Additionally, producers are anticipated to provide more avant-garde and player-specific protective gear. The creation of more dependable, lightweight items that allow for easy mobility while playing will be the main focus. The use of intelligent technologies for real-time body impact and padding resistance analysis will be crucial for producing high-quality protective equipment.

Report Attributes	Details
Anticipated Base Year Value (2022)	US$ 700 Million
Expected Market Value (2023)	US$ 724.5 Million
Projected Forecast Value (2033)	US$ 1022 Million
Global Growth Rate (2023-2033)	3.5%
CAGR of North America (2023)	3.4%
CAGR of Latin America (2023-2033)	3.5%
Prominent Players in The Global Market	Canterbury of New Zealand Madison Sports & Entertainment Inc Mizuno Corporation NIKE Inc. Adidas Under Amour Inc. Visa Outdoor INC Rawlings Sporting Goods Company Inc. Wilson Sporting Goods Co. PUMA SE Select Sport A/S Everlast Worldwide Inc.

2018-2022 Rugby Protective Gears Market Demand Analysis Vs. Forecast 2023-2033

The global rugby protective gears market grew at a CAGR of 2.1% from 2018 to 2022, as per Fact.MR, a provider of market research and competitive intelligence. The global use of rugby protective gear has grown along with the number of rugby tournaments, pushing the industry as a whole.

Along with increasing sponsorship and collaboration for rugby protective gear to be used in the game, increasing the number of events and games is another factor driving market expansion during the forecast period. The demand for items and the subsequent market development are being further fueled by customers' growing emphasis on environmentally friendly materials to assure player comfort and their growing move toward sustainable rugby gear.

Such factors are expected to boost the global sales of the rugby protective gears. As a result, the global rugby protective gears industry is expected to forecast a CAGR over 3% from 2023-2033.

Prominent Growth Drivers Influencing rugby protective gears market

Reduces the impact of head injuries and hence gaining traction

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US estimate that 3.5 million Americans have brain trauma each year. In the past 10 years, brain injuries in rugby have increased in frequency, frequently putting victims in unstable situations and harming their long-term health, learning and memory.

But there is still hope. Various producers aspire to offer headgear made for all sports and leisure activities over time and greater knowledge, ultimately altering the perception of head protection as well as making it safer for everyone.

For example, a thin layer of material used in 2nd Skull headgear safeguards an athlete by rapidly absorbing repeated, sustained impacts. The defense against a traumatic brain injury, which is becoming an increasingly common condition among American athletes, depends heavily on this protection.

In an effort to prevent such fatal tragedies for all sportsmen, 2nd Skull products are currently offered in over 100 retail locations. Such factors are sure to propel the market for the rugby protective gears during the forecast period.

Transformation from niche to mainstream sport to boost the sales

Rugby is evolving from a specialized sport to a popular one, and the expansion of rugby unions' development programmes will be key factors in the market's expansion. Sales of rugby protective gear are being boosted by an increase in the number of international rugby competitions.

In the year 2023, various popular events are expected to take place like Six Nations, Hong Kong Seven, The Rugby Championships and Rugby World Cup (men). The Rugby World Cup, the zenith of the sport of rugby, is an international rugby union championship held every four years.

The 2023 Rugby World Cup will be staged in France. Hence, such popular games are drawing the player’s attention towards enhanced safety during the game, which is why they are shifting towards newer kinds of rugby protective gears. Such factors are expected to accelerate the demand for the rugby protective gears during the forecast period.

What Could Possibly Hinder Rugby Protective Gears Market Demand?

Increased usage and sales of counterfeit products will impede the growth

The vendors' efforts to expand the market are being hampered by problems with the management of the product supply chain and growing concerns about fake goods. These duplicate products are being sold at much cheaper rates which in turn is hindering the rapid sales of the rugby protective gears.

Products are getting their duplicate copies made in just a few days and hence such factors are expected to impede the global growth of the rugby protective gear market.

Category-wise Insights

Which product type segment is expected to gain traction during 2023-2033?

The headgear segment will gain the dominant market share

Over the course of the forecast period, the headgear segment by product type is anticipated to occupy a sizable share of the worldwide market. In 2023, this category is anticipated to dominate with a 56% revenue share.

Rugby-related brain injuries occur to about 1,200 players annually. Concussions as well as brain injuries account for two-thirds of these wounds. Rugby-related injuries result in more than 50,000 visits to the doctor annually, with individuals spending $60 million on their care. Hence, to avoid such injuries and expenses, players are moving towards enhanced gears for the safety of their heads.

For instance, scrum caps are a style of headwear that some rugby players choose to wear. A scrum hat is excellent for shielding the ears and minimizing minor head wounds like lacerations and abrasions. Other benefits of wearing headgears include improved comfort, less sweating, better airflow, ergonomic design, superior cushioning and shock absorption, and an antibacterial lining. Such benefits are expected to accelerate the growth prospects for rugby protective gears from 2023-2033.

What would be the outlook of the sales channel segments?

The direct to customer online channel will become more significant from 2023-2033

On the basis of the sales channel, the most dominant segment is the direct to customer online channel, which is expected to occupy a global market share of 31% from 2023-2033.

The direct consumer to online channels offer the customers with various kinds of discounts on a single purchase as well as on bulk purchases as well. These sites offer attractive discounts and coupons during theBlack Friday sales and Thanksgiving sales, which is targeted by almost 52% of the customers. Also, with such online purchases, there is hardly any issue with the return or replace issues and hence these channels are highly being preferred by the customers nowadays.

Region-wise Analysis

What is the outlook of the North American rugby protective gears market?

Rising interest in Rugby along with increasing events to bolster the sales of these products

North America is predicted to expand with a revenue share of more than 31.2% in 2023 and is the fastest-growing market for rugby protective gears, with the dominant 3.4% CAGR from 2023 to 2033.

Due to the growing interest in this sport among participants, this area is becoming more significant. Rugby is a rapidly expanding sport in the United States. USA Rugby is responsible for overseeing rugby at the youth, college, high school, amateur club, corporate, and international levels.

As of 2019, there are more than 129,000 players enrolled with USA Rugby. Around the nation, there are more than 2,600 rugby union clubs, some of which play collegiate rugby. Since 2017, there has been a professional club tournament known as Major League Rugby. During the anticipated period, these events will boost sales of rugby protective gear.

Furthermore, there are many more prestigious rugby tournaments being held in the US. Over 60,000 fans attend the USA Sevens, an international event that takes place in February. Thus, it is anticipated that throughout the projection period, demand for rugby protective gear would rise considerably as a result of the growing number of games and tournaments.

What can be expected from the Latin American market for rugby protective gears?

Increasing players in the game after the World Cup has triggered immense growth

During the forecast period, the Latin American market for rugby protective gears is expected to garner a steady CAGR of 3.5%. But at the time, this market is presently holding the dominant share in the global market with a share of almost 41% in 2023.

Numerous regions of Latin America are seeing a rise in rugby popularity, which is anticipated to be positive for the market's expansion in the area. In terms of revenue, the area is predicted to have a sizable market share. Rugby protective gears are being used and adopted more frequently as a result of the shorter form of the game drawing new and young fans everywhere.

In 2021, there were 1,019,876 rugby players in Latin America alone, based on the World's Rugby report, a 32% rise in participation rates. After the Rugby World Cup 2019, rugby's popularity in the nation doubled, and in 2022, the number of devoted fans will rise by 129%. Such factors will definitely propel the growth of this market during the forecast period.

Start-up Scenario

The new companies are aimed at developing their products with enhanced safety features and new technology to make the products stand out in the global market.

• A Pittsburgh-based startup called 2nd Skull is committed to creating robust yet flexible headgear that protects sportsmen from severe head-impact injuries. Its existing patented technology has demonstrated that it can give up to 35% more shock absorbent than the typical school-provided helmets, minimizing the severe short- and long-term harm to the head and, as a result, brain injury. The 2nd Skull offers the whole gamut of head protection, including cutting edge absorption technologies, comfort and simplicity of use, and a stylish but sporty appearance.

Competitive Landscape

Some of the prominent developments of the key players of the market are :

• In 2019, Canterbury unveiled the updated head guard created in partnership with MAS by the hardworking Silueta team. At the current Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan, the proprietary Injection Foam Mold Technology of Sri Lanka-based MAS Holdings, which is utilized for the Canterbury Reinforcer head guard, is driving a much-needed revolution in protective equipment for contact sports. Through this joint effort, Silueta invested, created, and disseminated an impact protection helmet that is now used by elite athletes in one of the Rugby World Cup, one of the most prestigious worldwide stages.
• Puma offers a wide range of protective gears for Rugby. A popular one is the V-kon undershirt. With cushioning for protection on the shoulders, chest, and upper arms, the Puma V-kon Rugby protection shirt is a thin undershirt. The shirt has vented foam rugby protection cushions and is constructed of polyester with elastane to stretch and better fit the form of the body. The cat emblem is featured on the center chest pad of these Puma rugby protective pads. Additionally, for ventilation, these shoulder pads include vented foam protection.

Key Segments Covered In The Rugby Protective Gears Market Report

• By Gear Type :

  • Mouth Guard
  • Headgear
  • Protection Vests
  • Gloves

• By Sales Channel Type :

  • Independent Sports Outlet
  • Franchised Sports Outlet
  • Modern Trade Channels
  • Direct To Customer Brand Outlet
  • Direct To Customer Online Channel
  • Direct To Customer Institutional Channel
  • Third Party Online Channel

• By Buyer Type :

  • Individual
  • Institutional
  • Promotional

• By Region :

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Europe
  • Japan
  • APEJ
  • Middle East & Africa (MEA)