Sport Legging Market has evolved into one of the most dominant segments within the athletic apparel industry, driven by rising health awareness, gym participation, athleisure adoption, and rapid advancements in textile technology. In 2024, sport leggings accounted for nearly 42% of the total athletic apparel segment, reflecting their position as a mainstream consumer essential rather than a niche fitness category. This momentum is expected to accelerate further as the market is projected to capture around 45% share in 2025, expand to approximately 49% by 2026, and ultimately achieve nearly 63% global market share by 2035.
This exceptional Sport Legging market penetration aligns with the industry’s strong and steady expansion trend. From 2026 to 2035, the global sport legging market is expected to grow at a consistent CAGR of 7.5%, driven by premiumization, smart performance fabrics, digital retail adoption, and increasing participation in yoga, running, cycling, gym training, and athleisure wear. With the global market valued at USD 44.6 billion in 2025, sport leggings continue to outpace the growth of traditional athletic wear categories, establishing themselves as one of the fastest-growing product lines in the global sportswear ecosystem.
What Is the Sport Legging Industry?
The Sport Legging Industry represents a high-growth segment within the global athletic apparel ecosystem, specializing in performance-driven, stretchable bottoms designed for fitness, sports, and athleisure wear. In 2025, the industry is valued at USD 44.6 billion, accounting for 45% of the worldwide athletic bottoms category, and is expected to expand to USD 72.4 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 7.8%. Sport leggings have transitioned from purely functional activewear to a mainstream lifestyle essential, with over 1.2 billion global users wearing leggings for gym training, yoga, running, Pilates, dance, and general daily comfort.
The industry is defined by continuous innovation in fabric engineering and performance design. Compression leggings, a major sub-segment, grew by 9.1% YoY in 2024, while seamless leggings accounted for 34% of new product launches due to rising demand for comfort-focused styles. Premium materials such as moisture-wicking polyester blends, nylon-spandex mixes, eco-friendly rPET yarns, and 4-way stretch fabrics dominate the market. Roughly 38% of sport leggings sold in 2025 incorporate some form of sustainability feature—either recycled materials, waterless dyeing, or biodegradable fibers.
The industry is heavily influenced by the global athleisure trend, which grew 9.2% YoY, with leggings being the most-purchased item in the category. Women represent 63.5% of total sport legging purchases, though the men’s segment is expanding rapidly with a projected CAGR of 9% between 2025–2030. E-commerce plays a crucial role, accounting for 34.2% of global sales in 2025, supported by D2C brands, influencer-led marketing, and subscription-based athleisure models.
How Big Is the Sport Legging Market in 2025?
The global Sport Legging Market in 2025 has emerged as one of the most dominant forces in the athletic apparel sector, reaching an estimated valuation of USD 44.6 billion. This positions sport leggings as a core driver of global sportswear revenues, contributing over 45% to the entire athletic bottoms category and nearly 15% to total sports apparel revenues worldwide. Compared to 2024, the market expanded by 8.4%, fueled by rising fitness participation, the explosion of athleisure culture, and rapid expansion by both premium and mass-market brands.
The 2025 landscape is defined by accelerating consumer adoption. More than 1.2 billion users globally wear sport leggings for various activities such as gym workouts, yoga, running, cycling, and athleisure. Notably, the daily-wear category of leggings grew 11.2% year-over-year, showcasing a shift from performance-only use to lifestyle integration. Women remain the dominant consumer segment, accounting for 63.5% of total sales, yet the men’s performance leggings category continues to scale faster, projected to grow at 9.1% CAGR from 2025 to 2030.
Geographically, North America leads the market with 32% global share, driven by strong purchasing power, premium product demand, and the dominance of brands like Lululemon, Nike, and Athleta. Europe accounts for 27% of the global market, supported by sustainability-led innovation and high demand for compression and performance leggings. Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific stands out as the fastest-growing regional cluster, capturing 28% of global share—with China, India, and Japan driving an impressive 9–11% annual growth fueled by rising gym memberships and e-commerce penetration.
E-commerce continues to redefine distribution dynamics in 2025, accounting for 34.2% of all sport legging sales, with D2C channels growing at 12.8% annually. Subscription-based athleisure boxes and personalized AI-driven sizing tools further accelerate online conversion rates. Premiumization trends also influence market size: high-end leggings priced between USD 80–150 have grown by 14.4% YoY, while sustainable leggings made from rPET or bamboo fibers account for 38% of all new product launches in 2025.
The growth outlook beyond 2025 remains strong. The market is projected to reach USD 72.4 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 7.8%, ultimately capturing nearly 49% of the entire athletic apparel segment by 2026 and an expected 63% share by 2035. In summary, 2025 marks a pivotal inflection point where sport leggings transition from popular activewear to one of the most influential global fashion-lifestyle staples.
Global Distribution of Sport Legging Manufacturers by Country in 2025
| Country | Share of Global Sport Legging Manufacturers (2025) | Key Insights |
|---|---|---|
| China | 42% | Largest global producer; strong textile clusters in Guangdong, Fujian, and Zhejiang. |
| United States | 18% | High concentration of premium and performance brands; strong R&D capabilities. |
| European Union (France, Germany, Italy) | 21% | Focus on luxury athleisure, performance materials, and sustainable manufacturing. |
| India | 9% | Fastest-growing manufacturing hub; competitive production costs and large domestic demand. |
| Vietnam & Bangladesh | 6% | Strong OEM/ODM ecosystem; major suppliers for global sportswear brands. |
| Rest of World | 4% | Includes Turkey, Brazil, South Korea, and emerging African textile economies. |
Growing Sport Legging Market: Country-Wise Analysis
The global Sport Legging Market in 2025 shows significant momentum across major regions, with both developed and emerging economies witnessing rapid adoption. Factors such as fitness penetration, athleisure trends, premiumization, sustainability, and e-commerce growth are driving country-level performance. Below is a comprehensive analysis of the USA, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, China, Japan, and India, highlighting market size, growth rates, purchasing trends, and economic indicators in 2025.
United States of America (USA) – Growing Sport Legging Market
The USA remains the largest global market for sport leggings, valued at USD 10.3 billion in 2025, accounting for nearly 23% of worldwide revenues. The market has grown at a 7.1% CAGR, driven by the rise of gym memberships (over 66 million active members) and the strong influence of athleisure culture. Premium products dominate sales, with leggings priced above USD 70 comprising 32% of total purchases. Women represent 68% of the market share, though the men’s segment is growing at a notable 8.7% YoY. Brands such as Lululemon, Nike, Gymshark, and Athleta lead the landscape, supported by influencer-driven digital marketing.
United Kingdom (UK) – Growing Sport Legging Market
The UK Sport Legging Market reached USD 2.4 billion in 2025, growing at 6.5% CAGR. Leggings account for nearly 48% of the UK’s athletic bottoms segment. Online channels contribute 44% of total sales, making the UK one of the strongest e-commerce-driven activewear markets. Sustainable materials are highly influential—52% of UK consumers prefer eco-friendly leggings. Gymshark, Varley, Sweaty Betty, and Nike dominate, while D2C subscription models are rising.
Canada (CAN) – Growing Sport Legging Market
Canada’s sport legging market reached USD 1.1 billion in 2025, with 6.7% CAGR driven by outdoor sports culture and high winter athletic activity. Running participation increased by 33%, directly boosting thermal and compression leggings demand. Lululemon holds a strong leadership position with 34% market share in premium leggings. E-commerce penetration sits at 36%, with hybrid lifestyle-activity leggings trending strongly among millennials.
France (FRA) – Growing Sport Legging Market
France recorded USD 1.9 billion in sport legging revenues for 2025 with a 6.2% CAGR. Leggings represent 46% of the women's athletic apparel market. French consumers prioritize comfort and aesthetics, leading to a 12% YoY rise in fashion-led athleisure leggings. Decathlon dominates volume sales with over 300 stores, while premium brands such as Adidas, Varley, and Lululemon are gaining traction. About 41% of consumers prefer seamless leggings for yoga and Pilates.
Germany (GER) – Growing Sport Legging Market
Germany’s sport legging market reached USD 2.2 billion in 2025, growing at 6.9% CAGR. High gym penetration (12.5 million active members) and outdoor sports culture create steady demand. Compression leggings remain a strong segment, growing 10.4% YoY, driven by marathon and endurance sports. Consumers in Germany show one of the strongest preferences for performance textiles and durability, with 58% prioritizing functional materials over fashion-led designs.
Italy (ITA) – Growing Sport Legging Market
Italy recorded USD 1.4 billion in market size for 2025, growing at 6.1% CAGR. Athleisure adoption rose by 17% YoY, driven by urban consumers and premium fashion-forward leggings. Italy has a high inclination toward luxury athleisure, with premium leggings (USD 80–120) accounting for 29% of total sales. CSP International and international brands like Lululemon, Adidas, and Nike have strong retail momentum.
China – Growing Sport Legging Market
China is one of the fastest-growing markets, valued at USD 8.6 billion in 2025 with a 9.8% CAGR—second only to India. E-commerce penetration is exceptionally high at 54% of total sales, enabled by platforms like Tmall and JD. Domestic brands ANTA and Li Ning hold nearly 38% combined market share, while global giants like Nike and Adidas remain influential. Fitness app users crossed 380 million in 2025, directly boosting sport legging adoption.
Japan (JPN) – Growing Sport Legging Market
Japan’s sport legging market stands at USD 3.1 billion in 2025, expanding at 7.0% CAGR. The Japanese consumer base favors lightweight, minimalist, and comfort-driven leggings. Pilates and yoga participation grew 14% YoY, while women above age 35 represent over 48% of total buyers. Premium thermal leggings also see strong demand due to seasonal variations.
India – Growing Sport Legging Market
India is the fastest-growing sport legging market globally, with a 2025 valuation of USD 2.7 billion and a 10.5% CAGR. Affordable mass-market leggings (USD 8–15) dominate with 62% market share, while premium categories are rapidly scaling in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. India’s gym membership base grew by 28% YoY, yoga participation ranks highest globally, and e-commerce platforms (Myntra, Amazon, Ajio) significantly drive volume growth. International brands are expanding aggressively while domestic manufacturers support large-scale production and exports.
Global Growth Insights unveils the top List global Sport Legging Companies:
| Company | Headquarters | Revenue (Past Year) | CAGR | Geographic Presence | Key Highlight | Latest Company Updates (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gymshark | Solihull, United Kingdom | USD 0.5 Billion | 15.2% | North America, UK, Europe, Australia | Strong D2C model with influencer-driven sales | Launched sweat-proof high-compression leggings; expanded to new US fulfillment centers |
| Decathlon | Lille, France | USD 15.1 Billion | 6.0% | 70+ Countries | Global sports retailer with strong mass-market positioning | Expanded eco-designed sport legging lines; opened 22 new stores globally |
| Varley Clothing | Los Angeles, USA & London, UK | USD 80 Million | 12.5% | USA, UK, Europe, Middle East | Premium athleisure brand focused on luxury designs | Introduced luxury ribbed and performance-knit leggings in 2025 |
| Lululemon | Vancouver, Canada | USD 9.6 Billion | 12.0% | Global: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific | Leader in premium leggings with proprietary fabric innovations | Launched “SwiftBlend” fabric technology improving stretch retention by 30% |
| Athleta | California, USA | USD 1.4 Billion | 7.4% | USA, Canada | Female-focused premium athletic and lifestyle wear | Expanded inclusive-size performance legging series in 2025 |
| Girlfriend Collective | Seattle, USA | USD 150 Million | 10.2% | North America, Europe | Eco-friendly leggings made from rPET and recycled materials | Launched 100% recycled high-rise performance leggings in 2025 |
| Spanx | Atlanta, USA | USD 500 Million | 8.6% | North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific | Leader in shaping and compression legging technology | Expanded Shapetech Sport Legging line with new sculpt designs |
| CSP International Fashion Group | Cattolica, Italy | USD 200 Million | 5.4% | Europe, Middle East | Focus on European luxury legwear and hosiery | Launched premium Italian-made leggings for athleisure category in 2025 |
| Nike | Oregon, USA | USD 51.2 Billion | 5.9% | Global: 190+ Countries | Market leader in performance sportswear | Introduced AI-driven fitting tools and new moisture-control leggings in 2025 |
| Adidas | Herzogenaurach, Germany | USD 24.5 Billion | 6.1% | Global: Europe, North America, Asia | Strong focus on sustainability and sports performance | Released heat-regulating AEROREADY legging series for runners in 2025 |
| Under Armour | Baltimore, USA | USD 5.7 Billion | 4.8% | North America, Europe, Asia | Known for compression and performance gear | Launched ultra-light ArmourDry leggings with enhanced sweat resistance |
| American Eagle Outfitters (Aerie) | Pennsylvania, USA | USD 5.0 Billion | 6.7% | North America, Europe | Leader in comfort-centric leggings and loungewear | Expanded Aerie Real Me Legging line with buttery-soft fabrics in 2025 |
| Li Ning | Beijing, China | USD 2.8 Billion | 9.3% | China, Southeast Asia, Middle East | Strong domestic brand with performance sportswear leadership | Launched advanced running leggings with aerodynamic panels in 2025 |
| ANTA Sports Products | Xiamen, China | USD 8.2 Billion | 8.9% | China, Asia-Pacific, Europe | Major global player with rapidly growing R&D investments | Introduced compression leggings for marathon athletes in 2025 |
Opportunities for Startups & Emerging Players (2025)
The Sport Legging Market in 2025 offers a strong opportunity landscape for new entrants as the global industry continues expanding at a 7.8% CAGR and transitions toward innovation-driven and value-differentiated product lines. With the market projected to reach USD 72.4 billion by 2030, startups have multiple pathways to capture share across price tiers, segments, and distribution channels. Below are the most promising opportunities for emerging players.
Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Leggings (High-Growth Segment)
Sustainability is one of the most powerful purchase motivators in 2025. Over 38% of new leggings launched globally use recycled fibers, while consumer preference for eco-materials grew 11% YoY.
Opportunity: Startups can differentiate with rPET leggings, bamboo yarn blends, biodegradable fabrics, and low-impact dyeing.
Affordable Mass-Market Leggings for Emerging Economies
Countries like India, Brazil, Indonesia, and Mexico show strong demand for leggings priced under USD 10–20, which account for 62% of sales in these regions.
Opportunity: Build competitive D2C brands with cost-efficient manufacturing and fashion-led designs.
Niche Performance Leggings (Men’s, Maternity, Plus-Size)
The men’s segment is growing at 9.1% CAGR, and plus-size demand increased 18% YoY.
Opportunity: Create specialized leggings for athletes, runners, pregnancy support, and extended sizing.
Smart & Tech-Integrated Leggings
Sensor-enabled or AI-connected leggings that track form, posture, or movement represent an emerging high-tech niche.
Opportunity: Integrate wearable tech for runners, yoga users, and physiotherapy applications.
Premium Luxury Athleisure Lines
The luxury leggings category priced at USD 90–150 grew 14.4% YoY.
Opportunity: Offer fashion-forward, high-compression, ribbed-knit or seamless styles for affluent consumers.
D2C Subscription Boxes & Limited Drops
D2C is growing at 12.8% annually, and subscription models have a 41% retention rate.
Opportunity: Monthly legging drops, seasonal collections, or loyalty-based bundles.
Personalization & AI-Driven Sizing
Sizing issues account for 28% of online returns.
Opportunity: Startups can adopt AI tools to create personalized fit recommendations or custom-measured leggings.
Modest Activewear & Cultural-Specific Designs
The modest sportswear market is valued at USD 2.3 billion and growing rapidly in Gulf countries and Southeast Asia.
Opportunity: Design long-leg, layered, or loose-fit leggings.
B2B Private Label Manufacturing
With global OEM demand increasing 9% YoY, emerging manufacturers in India, Vietnam, and Türkiye can gain traction by supplying global athleisure brands.
Sustainable Packaging & Circular Waste Programs
Consumers increasingly expect environmentally responsible packaging—over 49% prefer recyclable or compostable packs.
Opportunity: Launch circular take-back programs or biodegradable packaging lines.
FAQ – Global Sport Legging Companies
- Which company dominates the global sport legging market in 2025?
Lululemon remains the global leader in the premium sport legging segment with USD 9.6 billion in 2024 revenue and an estimated 12% CAGR going into 2025. In terms of overall volume, Nike leads globally, supported by its USD 51.2 billion revenue and extensive presence in 190+ countries.
- Which region contributes the highest revenue to global sport legging companies?
North America accounts for the largest share at 32% of global revenue, driven by strong consumer spending, premium brand penetration, and the presence of major players such as Lululemon, Nike, Athleta, Spanx, and American Eagle (Aerie).
- What is the growth rate of the global sport legging industry?
The market is growing at 7.8% CAGR (2025–2030). From 2024 to 2025, the industry saw an 8.4% year-over-year revenue increase due to rising fitness participation and the expansion of athleisure culture.
- Which companies are growing the fastest in 2025?
- Gymshark: 15.2% CAGR (strong D2C scaling)
- Girlfriend Collective: 10.2% CAGR (eco-friendly surge)
- Li Ning: 9.3% CAGR (Chinese athlete-driven demand)
- ANTA Sports: 8.9% CAGR (R&D expansion & marathon boom)
These emerging leaders are capturing younger demographics and digital-first consumers.
- Which companies have the strongest global distribution?
- Nike – Presence in 190+ countries
- Adidas – Strong in Europe, North America, and Asia
- Decathlon – Retail network in 70+ countries
- Lululemon – Rapid expansion in North America, Asia-Pacific, and the UK
- What is the demand trend for sustainable sport leggings?
Sustainable leggings made from rPET, bamboo fibers, or recycled nylon account for 38% of all new product launches in 2025. Brands such as Girlfriend Collective, Lululemon, Adidas, and Varley lead sustainability-focused innovations.
- Which consumer segment is driving the most growth?
Women account for 63.5% of global legging purchases; however, the men’s performance leggings category is the fastest-growing segment with 9.1% CAGR forecasted for 2025–2030.
- Which country is witnessing the fastest market growth?
India leads with a 10.5% CAGR, followed by China at 9.8%. Rapid fitness adoption, e-commerce penetrations exceeding 45%, and affordable mass-market leggings drive volume growth.
- How important is e-commerce for global sport legging companies?
E-commerce accounts for 34.2% of global sales in 2025. For D2C-heavy brands like Gymshark, Varley, and Girlfriend Collective, online contributes 70–90% of total revenue.
- What pricing segments dominate global sport legging sales?
- Mass market (USD 15–30): 42% share
- Mid-tier (USD 35–70): 38% share
- Premium (USD 80–150): 18% share
- Luxury (USD 150+): 2% share, but growing at 14.4% YoY
- Which innovations are shaping product development in 2025?
- Compression technology reducing muscle vibration by 7–10%
- Moisture-wicking fabrics with 40% faster drying rates
- Seamless 4-way stretch now used in 34% of new launches
- AI-based sizing tools reducing return rates by up to 18%
- Odor-resistant & anti-bacterial fabrics gaining 23% YoY adoption
- What are the biggest challenges for global sport legging companies?
- High competition with 1,000+ active brands worldwide
- Price sensitivity in emerging markets
- Counterfeit losses exceeding USD 1.4 billion annually
- Rising cost of sustainable materials (12–18% higher)
- Which companies lead in sustainability in 2025?
- Girlfriend Collective – 100% recycled PET leggings
- Adidas – rPET-based AEROREADY collection
- Lululemon – Recycled nylon & low-impact dyeing
- Varley – Eco-conscious luxury athleisure
- What is the future outlook for global sport legging companies?
The Sport Legging market is projected to reach USD 72.4 billion by 2030, representing one of the strongest growth opportunities within global sportswear. By 2035, leggings are expected to account for 63% of the entire athletic apparel market, significantly expanding opportunities for premium and performance-based brands.
Conclusion
The global Sport Legging Market in 2025 stands at a defining point of expansion, innovation, and consumer transformation. With a market valuation of USD 44.6 billion and growing at a robust 7.8% CAGR, sport leggings have evolved from a fitness essential into a dominant global lifestyle category. Their share of the athletic apparel segment continues to rise—reaching 45% in 2025, 49% by 2026, and projected to achieve 63% global penetration by 2035. This exceptional growth underscores the category’s adaptability across performance sports, athleisure fashion, and everyday comfort-driven apparel.
Country-level progression further highlights the market’s resilience. The United States, China, and India lead global volume and revenue growth, while Europe continues to drive sustainability-led innovation. Rising digital adoption, advanced manufacturing ecosystems, and expanding fitness participation—over 1.2 billion global active users—have accelerated both premium and mass-market segments. E-commerce remains a significant catalyst, accounting for 34.2% of global sales, enabling startups and D2C brands to scale rapidly.
Major global companies such as Lululemon, Nike, Adidas, Gymshark, Athleta, Li Ning, and ANTA Sports continue to shape the competitive landscape through performance textiles, sustainable materials, and consumer-centric product engineering. At the same time, opportunities for emerging players continue to broaden, with high-growth potential across eco-friendly leggings, niche performance categories, luxury athleisure, AI-driven sizing, and wearable-tech-integrated apparel.
Despite rising competition, sustainability costs, and counterfeit challenges, the industry is well-positioned for long-term expansion. The shift toward health, wellness, and balanced lifestyles—combined with the versatility of leggings as daily-wear apparel—will continue to drive global demand. Innovations in fabric science, compression technology, and digital commerce will define the next decade of growth.
Overall, the Sport Legging Market is transitioning into one of the most influential pillars of the global athletic apparel ecosystem. The combination of rising consumer adoption, strong brand innovation, expanding manufacturing capabilities, and continuous lifestyle integration solidifies sport leggings as a high-opportunity, future-ready market for established corporations and emerging brands alike.