Within the context of this report, the sports construction market comprises four main sectors: professional sports; semi-professional & amateur sports clubs; leisure & sports centres (including gyms and fitness clubs) and education establishments, these mainly being secondary schools. Contractors’ output peaked in 2011, largely because of the 2012 London Olympics construction programme, and annual output within the sports sector has yet to reach those heights again. Over the 2014-2016 period, the professional sports sector accounted for around a third of total contractors output.
The sports construction market improved in 2016 and 2017, driven by renewed growth in stadium construction output, mainly for a few Premier League and EFL Championship clubs. Going forward, output is expected to increase, largely due to major football stadium re-developments including the ongoing re-development of White Hart Lane and prospective major schemes for Chelsea and Everton. Outside football, other sectors expected to sustain demand include county cricket, leisure centres and school sports facilities.