Growth: Basketball is a $400M industry in Australia

• Victoria leads with 31.6% of total participants, followed by New South Wales (29.8%) and Queensland (16.2%)
• Soft tissue sprains, strains represent the most (75K) amount of injuries each year
• 51.8% of adult participation is structured, while 29.3% of basketball activity occurs through a club or association
• Boom! 1.3 million Aussies play the game we all love

Australians spend $400M to play basketball in every year from 2023, latest Ausplay data has revealed.

More than 415,000 Australian adults play organised basketball and spend on average $661 per year ($275M) while parents or guardians of the 226,000 kids playing  basketball spend an average $551 ($125M).

It comes as Ausplay data reveals more than 1.3 million Australians play some form of basketball every year, Australians second biggest participation sport.

Basketball in Australia has long been a sport on the rise, captivating people across generations and regions. Latest data from AUSPLAY provides a compelling and comprehensive look into who is playing the game, how they engage with it, and the economic and social dynamics surrounding their involvement.

The findings reveal not only the strength of basketball's grassroots foundation but also the challenges and opportunities ahead for growth and inclusivity.

Who's Playing and How Many

According to AUSPLAY, over 1.04 million adults aged 15 and over participate in basketball annually, representing 4.7% of the adult population. For children aged 0-14, 323,100 are involved in organised out-of-school basketball, making up 6.7% of that population. This highlights a strong presence of basketball across both adult and youth segments.

Gender-wise, adult participation skews heavily male, with 71% of participants being male and 28% female. Non-binary representation was negligible in the dataset. Among children, 70% were boys and 30% girls, reinforcing a consistent trend of male dominance in participation. However, the rising numbers in female involvement offer fertile ground for targeted development.

Age Trends and Life Stage Participation

Participation peaks during adolescence, particularly in the 15-17 age group, where 21.5% of males and 12.6% of females are engaged in the sport. Among children, peak participation occurs earlier, during the 9-11 age group, which sees the highest levels of involvement in organised basketball activities.

When considering organised play, 51.8% of adult participation is structured, while 29.3% of adult basketball activity occurs through a club or association. These numbers suggest that while formal pathways are well-established, a significant portion of engagement remains informal or recreational.

Demographics and Inclusion

Basketball enjoys varied levels of engagement across different demographic groups. Notably, 6.7% of Australians who speak a language other than English (LOTE) play basketball, suggesting the sport's popularity within multicultural communities. Indigenous Australians also show strong representation, with 7.7% participation, well above the national average.

In contrast, adults with disabilities are underrepresented, with just 1.8% participating compared to 4.7% of those without a disability. Interestingly, most of these participants (70%) engage in the standard version of basketball, indicating that accessibility in mainstream formats is relatively high. However, greater efforts could be made to support tailored programs for players with specific needs.

Economic Impact and Spending

Basketball's economic footprint is substantial. For adults, 415,500 individuals engage in paid basketball activities annually, contributing to a total expenditure of $275 million. The average adult spends $661 annually, though the median expenditure is $160, pointing to disparities in spending habits.

Children also contribute significantly to the sport's economy. 226,000 children aged 0-14 pay to play basketball each year, generating $125 million in spending. The average spend per child is $551, with a median of $300. Notably, 70% of all child participants are engaged in paid basketball, indicating a robust market for junior development.

State-by-State Breakdown

Participation varies significantly across states and territories. Victoria leads with 31.6% of total participants, followed by New South Wales (29.8%) and Queensland (16.2%). These three states account for over three-quarters of the national basketball-playing population.

Regionally, participation is highest in major cities (5.1%), followed by regional areas (3.7%) and remote areas (3.2%). This urban skew points to a need for greater infrastructure and outreach in less populated zones to ensure equitable access to the sport.

Injury and Safety

Basketball is a high-intensity sport, and this comes with a notable risk of injury. 105,300 adults experience a basketball-related injury annually, which is 12% of all adult participants.

The most common injuries are:

• Soft tissue injuries (sprains, strains) - 75K
• Skin injuries (grazes, bruises) - 23K
• Fractures - 19K

In terms of body parts injured:

• Hips, knees, or legs (excluding feet/ankles) - 41K
• Ankles or feet - 38K
• Wrists or hands - 23K

These figures underscore the importance of safety education, proper coaching, and access to appropriate facilities to reduce the physical toll on participants.

Motivations to Play

Understanding why people play basketball is crucial to fostering sustained engagement. The leading motivations are:

• Fun and enjoyment
• Socialising with friends
• Physical health and fitness
• Hobby or leisure activity

Fun is overwhelmingly the top motivator across all age groups, and its influence only increases with age, peaking among participants over 65. Other consistent drivers include the desire to socialise, stay fit, and maintain psychological wellbeing.

Why People Drop Out

Equally important is understanding why participants leave the sport. The most cited reasons include:

• Not enough time/too many other commitments
• Not a priority
• Don't like it anymore
• Too lazy or unmotivated
• Injury or fear of injury

These insights suggest that drop-out is more about lifestyle pressures and shifting priorities than dissatisfaction with the sport itself. To retain participants, basketball organisations may need to offer more flexible formats, adult social competitions, and initiatives to re-engage former players.

Organised vs Informal Participation

Beyond traditional clubs, people also engage with basketball through:

• Recreational centres
• Workplace and educational institutions
• Community organisations
• Informal games with friends or solo

The variety in how people engage underscores basketball’s broad appeal. Still, the challenge lies in converting informal interest into formal participation that supports community and performance development.

Gender Disparities

While males dominate in raw numbers, female participation is gaining traction, particularly among children and teenagers. However, as age increases, female involvement declines more sharply than male, suggesting a need to address retention through women-specific leagues, coaching, and leadership pathways.

Opportunities and Recommendations

1. Youth Development: Invest in under-12s and teens to build lifelong habits and loyalty.
2. Female Engagement: Create gender-specific programs, particularly aimed at teens and adults.
3. Inclusion Initiatives: Expand tailored options for people with disabilities and increase accessibility in remote and regional areas.
4. Flexible Formats: Offer short-season leagues, social competitions, and drop-in sessions for time-poor adults.
5. Retention Strategies: Use injury prevention programs, social incentives, and health-related messaging to keep adults playing longer.
6. Infrastructure Investment: Ensure that facilities are available and modern across all areas, not just in major cities.

Conclusion

The AUSPLAY data paints a vivid picture of basketball as a sport thriving in many areas but with clear challenges in others. It is a game that appeals to diverse demographics, from school children to retirees, from metro dwellers to multicultural communities.

By focusing on inclusive, flexible, and meaningful engagement strategies, basketball in Australia can continue its upward trajectory and cement itself as the most accessible and enjoyable sport for all.