The number of self-employed persons in sports activities, amusement, and recreation activities in the UK is projected to experience steady growth from 2024 to 2028, increasing from 122,000 to 135,000. In 2023, this figure was at 119,000. The year-on-year growth from 2024 to 2025 is 2.46%, followed by further increases of 2.40% from 2025 to 2026, 3.13% from 2026 to 2027, and 2.27% from 2027 to 2028. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over this five-year period is approximately 2.57%.

Future trends to watch for include:

Technological advancements driving new opportunities in digital sports and recreation sectors.
Sustainability practices influencing business models in this industry.
Post-pandemic consumer behavior shifts affecting demand patterns in recreational activities.