Russia’s sporting goods market is undergoing a profound transformation in 2026. While overall market size continues to grow, the sector is characterized by a sharp divergence between booming online demand and the struggles of traditional retail. The departure of Western brands has created space for domestic manufacturers, but the professional equipment segment remains dominated by imports.
Market Size and Growth
The Russian sporting goods market demonstrated significant growth in 2025, reaching an estimated $19.15 billion. A narrower segment—sports equipment and apparel—was valued at $15.43 billion. Both segments are projected to grow substantially through 2034, with the broader market expected to reach $43.31 billion at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.58%.
By product category, footwear held the largest share in 2025, while accessories is projected to be the fastest-growing segment. In the sports equipment and apparel segment, equipment itself remained the dominant category.
Demand Surge: Pandemic Habits Persist
The pandemic-era shift toward home fitness has proven durable. In the first five months of 2026, sales of Russian-made sports equipment rose by 19.5% compared to the same period in 2025. Home gym equipment specifically saw revenue growth of 17%.
Beyond domestic manufacturing, total consumer demand for sporting goods surged dramatically in June 2026, with demand increasing significantly year-on-year according to logistics analytics. The “Sports and Recreation” category saw substantial growth, with order volume and average check size both rising.
The Cross-Border E-Commerce Boom
Russian consumers are increasingly turning to foreign marketplaces for sporting goods. In the first five months of 2026, Russians spent 37 billion rubles on sports equipment through cross-border e-commerce platforms, representing a 27% year-on-year increase.
Platform-level growth was even more dramatic, with major logistics and e-commerce platforms reporting significant growth in sports equipment sales, both in monetary terms and in volume.
Emerging Sports: The Padel Phenomenon
The most striking trend in the market is the explosive growth of equipment for padel, a racket sport new to Russia. Major platforms reported dramatic growth in padel equipment sales, both in monetary terms and in volume.
This reflects the rapid popularization of the sport and demonstrates how new fitness trends can quickly reshape consumer spending patterns.
Domestic Production: Gains and Limitations
Home and Street Equipment
Russian manufacturers are successfully capturing the consumer segment. The increase in domestic sports equipment sales confirms that import substitution is yielding tangible results. Strength training and outdoor fitness equipment showed the strongest growth.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade is actively working to increase the presence of Russian sports equipment in the market, with many domestic manufacturers now operating in the sector. The Ministry has committed to supporting local producers for applications ranging from home use to elite sports.
Professional Equipment
The professional segment presents a more complex picture. China has become the dominant supplier following the restructuring of logistics chains, intensifying competition among importers.
Performance across professional equipment categories varies widely. Premium equipment shows stable demand, while the mass-market segment performance varies across categories. Some domestic manufacturers report strong growth, while others decline. Russian producers have yet to fully penetrate the premium professional segment, where they are “almost not represented.”
Retail Sector: A Market in Flux
The Russian sporting goods retail landscape is under significant pressure. Major retail chains are facing financial difficulties, with some creditors seeking bankruptcy proceedings in early 2026.
This contrasts with the robust online growth across both domestic and cross-border platforms, suggesting a structural shift in consumer channel preference.
Outlook
The Russian sporting goods market in 2026 is a sector in transition. Long-term growth projections remain strong, driven by sustained interest in fitness, import substitution policies, and the emergence of new sports. However, the market is fragmented: domestic manufacturers are gaining ground in consumer and outdoor segments, but professional and premium categories remain import-dependent. Cross-border e-commerce continues to grow, while traditional retail faces consolidation pressures. The coming years will likely see further market share shifts as Russian manufacturers scale production, but the speed and extent of this transition remain uncertain.
