WIPO has published a new report showing how IP-backed innovation drives growth in the multi-billion-dollar sports industry, supporting athletic excellence and fan enjoyment.

The WIPO Technology SPARK report (pictured) was published to mark World IP Day, 26 April, which this year focuses on the theme “IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate”.

According to the report, between 2016 and 2025, more than 65,700 sports-related inventions were recorded, as well as over 1.25 million trade marks and more than 70,000 designs.

WIPO Director General Daren Tang said in a statement: “Sports is not just about muscle and bone but also about ideas and intangible assets. The club logos that fans are passionate about, the sponsorship deals that link brands with athletes, the technology driving athletic performance, the broadcasting deals that bring sports events to billions of viewers - none of it is possible without IP.  Today, we shine a light on how IP is where sports meets innovation and creativity.

During the period 2016 to 2025, sports trade mark registrations grew by 6.1%, nearly double the overall rate, while designs rose by 8.3%, also far above the global average.

The report highlights geographical trends as well as areas of growth and top applicants.

The top filers of designs in sports in 2025 were Sixon, Decathlon and Callaway.

The top sports-related trade mark owners include Disney, Apple and Amazon, alongside recognised sports brands such as NBA, WWE and Decathlon.

WIPO has formed a workstream on IP and sports and will be stepping up efforts to assist athletes, sports associations and WIPO member states to use IP in this growing area, including in e-sports.

The Organization also announced the winners of the 2026 Video Competition, which invited participants to submit a 90-second video on the theme “Game Changers: IP Powering Sports Innovation”.

First prize went to Kang Cheng (China) for “Sound of Victory: Bridging the Esports Frontier through Accessible Patents,”; second prize to Charlotte Terryn (France) for “I am not a great athlete... Unfortunately”; and third prize to Thekrayat Abu Samra (Jordan) for “Behind every stroke... creativity worth protecting”. The People’s Choice prize went to Neelima Bogadhi (India) for “Kalaripayattu a Traditional Sport: IP and its Protection”.

The winners were chosen from 182 videos submitted.