Which sports are genuinely gaining ground this season, and which are stagnating despite the media buzz? Between the legacy of the Paris Games and changes in how people in France take part in sport, the sports trends of 2026 cannot be summed up as a list of fashionable activities. Federation membership data, demographic shifts among participants and the development of sports facilities paint a more nuanced picture than it might seem.
Federation memberships and the post-Olympics momentum: differences between sports
The impact of the Paris Games on club registrations is still measurable, but its strength varies considerably from one sports category to another. Racket sports and combat sports remain particularly dynamic, while growth in team sports is slowing.
| Sports category | Membership trends (2025-2026) | Profile of new members |
|---|---|---|
| Racket sports (badminton, tennis, table tennis, padel) | Strong growth | Growing share of people aged 25-59 |
| Combat sports | Strong growth | Diverse participants, including adults |
| Team sports (football, handball, basketball) | Slower growth | Young people still make up the majority |
| Fitness and hybrid activities (Hyrox, fusion yoga) | Growth outside federations | Independent participants, few federation members |
This table highlights a phenomenon that is often overlooked: membership growth does not benefit all sports equally. Racket sports, for example, are now attracting far more than just young people, with a notable increase among adults aged 25 to 59, as seen in membership data from 2016 to 2025.
Data available on la Tribune du Sport confirms the gap between a sport’s media visibility and its actual trajectory in terms of participation.
Padel, running, Hyrox: three distinct sporting trajectories
Padel is attracting attention thanks to the rapid development of facilities in France in recent years. Courts are springing up in urban and suburban areas. However, padel has not overtaken football in terms of federation membership. The enthusiasm is real, but it should be kept in perspective compared with the heavyweights of French sport.
Running, meanwhile, remains the most popular activity by number of participants, most of whom take part outside federated structures. Its growth is driven by an informal community-based model: local groups, tracking apps and participatory events.
Hyrox represents a different trajectory. This hybrid sport, which alternates running with strength exercises, attracts people who are already active and looking for a structured competitive format. Its growth is driven by international events rather than traditional sports clubs.
- Padel is growing through new facilities, with a rapidly expanding network that is still uneven across regions.
- Running is sustained by its community, without relying on federations or major facilities.
- Hyrox is growing through events, targeting intermediate to advanced participants.
These three sports have one thing in common: much of their growth takes place outside the traditional federation system, making them harder to measure statistically.
Inequalities in access to sport: what membership figures don’t show
Overall growth in registrations masks persistent disparities. Data reported in 2025 shows that women are still less likely than men to hold a sports federation membership, and that registration trends also vary by age and location.
Independent activities such as running, gym-based fitness and yoga have a higher proportion of women than federated sports. But these participants do not appear in membership statistics, distorting the picture of women’s participation in sport.
How location affects access to new sports
The growth of padel and Hyrox depends directly on the availability of suitable facilities. Cities have plenty to offer, while rural and suburban areas are missing out on several sports trends. The expansion of padel courts, for example, is concentrated mainly in medium-sized and large urban areas.
This geographic concentration partly explains why some sports appear to be booming nationwide even though participation remains highly localized.
Hybrid activities and wellness: the fitness trend that falls outside the federation system
Fusion yoga, fusion Pilates and mixed workout formats combining strength, mobility and cardio account for a growing share of physical activity in France. Their defining feature is that they are mostly practiced in private studios or at home, without federation membership.
The typical participant in these activities differs from a traditional federation member. They are often working adults looking for an activity that fits around a busy schedule. Mental well-being matters just as much as physical performance when choosing a sport.
This segment of the sports market largely escapes conventional measurement tools such as membership and affiliation data. Tracking apps and gym subscriptions provide partial indicators, but no consolidated data is available to accurately quantify participation nationwide.
Short sessions and flexibility: what participants are looking for in 2026
The trend toward sessions lasting less than 45 minutes, with no need to book far in advance, is shaping the offerings of fitness studios and independent coaches. Participants prioritize consistency over intensity, and convenient locations over specialized coaching.
This season’s figures confirm that the overall increase in physical activity in France rests on two distinct pillars: a federation network that is recruiting selectively (racket and combat sports) and a growing independent sports market that leaves no comparable statistical footprint. Measuring one without the other gives an incomplete picture of the real sports trends this season.
