Eight sports-based businesses to start in 2024

If you love sport, running a start-up inspired by your passion could be a rewarding move – both personally and financially.

Whether you love watching sports or getting involved as an athlete, why not channel your enthusiasm into a business idea?

Sport and physical activity contribute £39 billion to the UK economy with a wide variety of sports played, watched, and enjoyed at professional and amateur levels, so getting in on the action could be a smart business proposition.

By running your own sports start-up, you could enjoy the benefits of being your own boss – increased flexibility, greater control over decision-making, and higher job satisfaction.

Why choose a sports-related business?

There’s nothing better than doing a job you love, and with an existing interest in sport, you could make your passion profitable.

Interest in health and fitness has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, which is believed to be a result of the negative physical and mental impact on the UK.

79% of the UK population believe that their health has become more important to them over the last three years, with adult activity levels returning to pre-pandemic levels.

You could start your sports business from scratch or buy an established sports-related franchise.

We’ve listed eight different sports-related business ideas to inspire you.

Eight sports-based business ideas

1. Become a personal trainer

If you’re passionate about exercise and want to help others reach their fitness targets, you might consider becoming a PT or running a team of trainers.

In 2022, there were over 25,000 registered personal trainers in the UK, an increase of 10,000 since 2011, contributing to an industry worth £635.5 million.

As a personal trainer, you could have complete flexibility over your working hours, making accommodating clients with busy lifestyles easier.

To become a successful trainer, you may wish to obtain a Level 2 fitness instructor certification and may need a vehicle to transport your equipment safely.

Get started with our guide on how to start a personal training business.

2. Launch a sports nutrition clinic

A sports nutrition clinic provides athletes with tailored dietary advice to help them improve their performance and manage their overall nutritional health.

If you would like a better insight into nutrition, you could consider an Association for Nutrition (AfN) Certified course.

Before becoming a Registered Nutritionist, you will need relevant qualifications – find out more on the UK government website.

It is essential to be aware of any restrictions about giving dietary or nutrition advice to others, as this is a regulated industry.

You may also decide to join the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists to give your start-up more credibility and increase client trust.

Depending on your start-up budget and qualifications, you may decide to set up a clinic employing professional nutritionists or work alone with private clients.

3. Set up a fitness centre

If you feel there is a market for a fitness centre in your area, you could provide a variety of offerings, including physiotherapy, team sports, individual training, and kids’ sports camps.

By offering a range of services, you can meet the needs of local customers who want to get into shape, scaling services to meet demand, and increasing the chances of your business succeeding.

To run a fitness centre for your local community, you would need secure premises that meet building regulations and knowledge of health and safety requirements, as well as equipment, trained staff, and changing facilities.

One option could be to look into franchise opportunities offered by an existing fitness chain with an established reputation and support network.

4. Start a sports photography company

Do you like to capture people in the moment and have a talent for shooting winning smiles – or goals?

Setting up a sports photography business could be one way to break into the sports arena, providing services to a variety of other companies that need imagery and videography, such as amateur football clubs or swimming teams.

The fast-paced nature of team sports can mean your local teams may be keen to employ skilled photographers to capture their sporting achievements.

Running a start-up offering photography services – whether you are a photographer yourself or managing a team – can mean you shoot a wide variety of sporting events, depending on the season.

To run a sports photography business, you may need to invest in equipment such as cameras and tripods, personal transport, and a digital platform to showcase your talent.

Read our guide to opening a photography business.

5. Open a physiotherapy business

A physiotherapist helps those struggling with movement because of an injury or disability using manual therapy, advice, and exercises.

With a particular interest in sports, you could hire your services to teams or other sports businesses, such as fitness centres.

As there is a shortage of physiotherapists in the UK, opening a physiotherapy business could help fill a gap in the market while also increasing your chances of business success by meeting demand.

If you’re keen to study to become a physio yourself, the UK government has set out the requirements needed to become a physiotherapist.

Bear in mind that It is essential to have a physiotherapist license to practice as a physical therapist in the UK.

To open a physiotherapy business, you will need a secure, private location to see clients, as well as exercise equipment.

6. Set up a sports marketing agency

Setting up a sports marketing agency could see you partnering with other sports-related businesses to improve their branding and introduce products to their target audience.

If you have a background in marketing, focusing on the sports world could be a good way to merge your career with your hobby.

You could also look into general marketing qualifications that cover skills applicable to sports marketing from organisations such as the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).

Consider approaching sports teams, venues, equipment, sports services, or clothing brands to offer your services.

Once you’ve registered your business, you could set up your new company from home – find government guidance on how to do that on the Gov.uk website.

7. Design sportswear

In 2022, the global sportswear market was worth approximately £251.2 billion and is predicted to grow further.

Designing sportswear could offer you a creative outlet that also creates practical, profitable products.

You could create a core collection of items but also offer bespoke designs depending on customer demand, such as sports venue uniforms or team kits.

Read our guide on how to start a clothing line.

8. Begin a sports collectables business

Selling and sourcing sports memorabilia can be lucrative if you enjoy finding genuine pieces – a World Cup quarter-final shirt worn by Diego Maradona was sold for £7.1 million by Sotheby’s in 2022.

Sports fans can be known for their long-lasting loyalty to their teams and players, and sought-after collectables can be highly prized.

Consider investing in an online platform to create a storefront for the pieces you’re selling and allow for transactions, as well as sourcing a secure location for your stock.

You may also want to work with an authenticator to ensure the pieces you source are the real deal.

How to start a sports-related business

Before you can open your sports start-up, there are a number of steps you should consider.

As with any start-up, it pays to have a robust but flexible business plan in place – download our free template.

A business plan can help you create a financial forecast, as well as help you decide which type of funding suits your company best.

You will also need to register your business with HMRC for tax purposes.

No successful start-up is complete without customers – read our guides on how to market your start-up on a budget and how to win customers.