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Who Plays Paintball? Participation and Equipment Sales Increase Dramatically
Paintball--what was "extreme" is now becoming mainstream. Paintball has grown as a sport from 5.923 million participants in 1998 to over 7.678 million participants in 2001. Equipment sales for the sport have increased as well. According to SGMA International's Recreation Market Report, wholesale sales of paintball equipment have also been rising--$170 million in 1999; $195 million in 2000; and $225 million in 2001.
October 21, 2002
Paintball--what was "extreme" is now becoming mainstream. That appears to be the case if you check the latest stats from SGMA International, based on the Superstudy® of Sports Participation (conducted by American Sports Data, Inc.).
Since SGMA International started tracking paintball participation in 1998, there's been a steady upward climb"
5.923 million participants in 1998
6.364 million participants in 1999
7.121 million participants in 2000
7.678 million participants in 2001
This equates to a 29.6% increase in overall participation from 1998 to 2001. The number of frequent (15+ days per year) participants also increased from 793,000 in 1998 to 1.414 million in 2001--a 78% increase.
Listed below are some other relevant facts on paintball's frequent participants.
It's a man's world. 85% of frequent paintball players are male.
Youth reigns. Nearly 90% of frequent paintball players are aged 12-24. The average age is 17.9.
Financial Factoid: The average household income is $48,200 for frequent paintball participants.
Where are they? The South and North Central parts of the country have the most frequent paintball players--41% live in the South and nearly 35% live in the North Central part of the country.
Small town U.S.A. Thirty-six percent of all frequent paintballers live areas with less than 100,000 population. The second largest concentration of paintballers live in metropolitan areas with more than two million people.
According to SGMA International's Recreation Market Report, wholesale sales of paintball equipment have also been rising--$170 million in 1999; $195 million in 2000; and $225 million in 2001.
SGMA International, owner of The Super Show®, is the global business trade association of manufacturers, retailers and marketers in the sports products industry. SGMA International fosters industry growth and advances members' interests through market research, communications, public policy, sports promotion, and international business development programs. More information about SGMA International can be found at www.SGMA.com. |
