Rugby Apparel Market Report 2026

The rugby apparel market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1.38 billion in 2025 to $1.53 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of professional rugby leagues, rising global participation in rugby sports, expansion of licensed merchandise sales, increased investment in sports infrastructure, availability of advanced textile materials.

The rugby apparel market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.34 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing popularity of women and youth rugby, rising demand for eco-friendly sportswear, expansion of online sports apparel retail, growing focus on athlete safety standards, increasing adoption of smart performance fabrics. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for high-durability performance fabrics, rising adoption of sustainable and recycled materials, growing customization of team and fan apparel, expansion of protective and impact-resistant gear, enhanced focus on comfort and moisture management.

The increasing sports participation is expected to drive the growth of the rugby apparel market in the coming years. Sports participation refers to the involvement of individuals in physical activities, games, or organized sports for recreation, fitness, skill development, or competition. The rise in sports participation is fueled by growing health awareness, as more people recognize the physical, mental, and social benefits of engaging in regular athletic activities. Rugby apparel supports this trend by providing athletes with comfortable, durable, and performance-oriented gear that enhances confidence, safety, and overall engagement in the sport. For example, in May 2024, according to Sport Ireland, an Ireland-based statutory agency, rugby participation increased from 1.75 million in 2022 to 1.97 million in 2023, marking a 4 percent rise. Therefore, the growing sports participation is contributing to the demand for rugby apparel.

Key companies operating in the rugby apparel market are focusing on developing innovative solutions, such as connected jerseys, to improve player performance tracking and fan engagement. Connected jerseys are smart rugby shirts embedded with sensors that monitor players’ performance, including heart rate, speed, and movement, in real time. For instance, in November 2024, Canterbury of New Zealand, a New Zealand-based garment company, launched the Heritage British & Irish Lions rugby jersey. The jersey features a deeper red hue with a classic jacquard pattern woven into the fabric, honoring the four unions: England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, and includes a fan-inspired grandad collar. It integrates Canterbury's Vapodri technology for enhanced player comfort and an embedded NFC tag that allows fans to access exclusive digital content via the Lions Clubhouse app.

In September 2023, Fourex Clothing Pty. Ltd., a United Kingdom-based sportswear manufacturer, acquired Ellgren for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Fourex Clothing aims to expand its portfolio, strengthen its presence in the rugby apparel market, and offer both contemporary and retro kit options to a wider customer base. Ellgren Ltd is a United Kingdom-based sportswear manufacturer specializing in rugby apparel.

Major companies operating in the rugby apparel market are Nike Inc., Adidas AG, Decathlon SA, Puma SE, Pentland Brands Limited., Under Armour Inc., Asics Corporation, Mizuno Corporation, Castore Sportswear Ltd., O’Neills Irish International Sports Co. Ltd, Macron S.p.A., Canterbury Of New Zealand., Kukri Sports Ltd., Barbarian Sports Ltd., Grays of Cambridge Limited., Rhino Rugby Ltd., Fourex Clothing Pty. Ltd, Scimitar Sports UK Ltd, Webb Ellis Ltd., Vortex Rugby Ltd.

Europe was the largest region in the rugby apparel market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the rugby apparel market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the rugby apparel market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The rugby apparel market consists of sales of scrum caps, shoulder pads, neck guards, compression shorts, base layer tops, and shin guards. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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