Recently, GYBrand Global Brand Research Institute released its “2025 Top 10 Most Valuable Sports Brands” ranking.
Latest Global Top 10 Sports Brand Rankings Reveal Geographic Distribution and Shifting Positions
The newly released ranking of the world’s top 10 sports brands shows a diverse geographic spread: the United States claims four spots, while Germany and China each secure two positions. Canada and Japan complete the list with one brand each.
Nike maintains its dominance for the third consecutive year as the “world’s most valuable sports brand,” with Adidas holding steady in second place. Lululemon climbs to third position, while Anta makes a notable jump to fourth. Puma slips to fifth, followed by New Balance, Skechers, Under Armour, and ASICS in sixth through ninth places respectively. Li-Ning retains its top-ten status by a narrow margin.
1. Nike
- Overview: Founded in 1972 by Phil Knight and headquartered in Oregon, USA, Nike dominates with its iconic slogan “Just Do It.”
- Market Position: The undisputed leader in sportswear for three consecutive years, boasting a market cap of $160 billion (2025).
- Key Stats: Annual revenue of
- 57billion∗∗(FY2024),∗∗1,300+globalstores∗∗,andamid−to−premiumpricingstrategy(averagesneakerprice:∗∗
- 57billion∗∗(FY2024),∗∗1,300+globalstores∗∗,andamid−to−premiumpricingstrategy(averagesneakerprice:∗∗85–285).
- Subsidiaries: Jordan, Converse, and Hurley form a diversified sports ecosystem.
2. Adidas
- Overview: Established in 1949 by Adolf Dassler in Bavaria, Germany, Adidas is famed for its three-stripe logo and Boost technology.
- Market Position: Europe’s top sportswear brand with a $40 billion market cap and €24.5 billion annual revenue (2024).
- China Footprint: Operates 12,000+ stores in China, catering to the $40–215 price range.
- Challenges: Struggles with inventory issues and design controversies, losing ground to rivals like ANTA.
3. Lululemon
- Overview: Canada’s yoga apparel pioneer, founded in 1998 by Chip Wilson, now valued at $60 billion (2025).
- Growth: $11 billion annual revenue (2024), 20%+ profit margins, and industry-leading sales per square foot.
- Strategy: Focuses on premium women’s activewear (yoga pants: $115–215), with 700+ global stores.
ANTA
- Overview: A Chinese success story launched in 1991 by Ding Shizhong, headquartered in Jinjiang, Fujian.
- Portfolio: Owns FILA (¥25.1 billion revenue), Descente, and Arc’teryx; market cap surpassed $38 billion (2025).
- Expansion: ¥62.4 billion revenue (2023), 13,000+ stores nationwide, and affordable pricing ($30–115).
- Ambition: Aims to dethrone Nike in China by 2030.
Puma
- Overview: Founded in 1948 by Rudolf Dassler in Germany, Puma thrives in football and streetwear collaborations.
- Status: $12 billion market cap, €9.6 billion revenue (2024), and 1,000 stores worldwide.
- Pricing: Average product range of $55–170, though innovation lags behind competitors.
Ranks 6–10: Rising Challengers & Legacy Brands
- New Balance: U.S. heritage running brand (
- 5.5billionrevenue∗∗),specializinginretroandperformanceshoes(∗∗
- 5.5billionrevenue∗∗),specializinginretroandperformanceshoes(∗∗85–215).
- Skechers: American comfort-focused footwear leader with 3,000+ stores in China ($8 billion revenue).
- Under Armour: Once a fitness apparel disruptor, now stagnant ($8 billion market cap).
- ASICS: Japan’s running expert ($4.5 billion revenue), revered for its technical innovations.
- LI-NING: China’s trendy homegrown brand (¥27.5 billion revenue, 8,000+ stores), pushing global expansion with its high-end “China LI-NING” line.
Who Will Reign Next?
- Nike: The undisputed leader faces growing pressure to innovate.
- ANTA: Strongest potential with its multi-brand strategy and local market edge.
- Lululemon: Needs to break through its niche market limits.
- Li-Ning: Riding the “Guochao” wave while expanding globally—balancing risks is key.
Final Take: There are no eternal kings, only visionaries of their time.
From the Nike-Adidas rivalry to the rise of ANTA and Li-Ning, the sportswear arena is ever-changing. Whether legacy giants or bold newcomers, only those who keep innovating and stay close to consumers’ needs will stay ahead.
