Sports are shrinking.
Not in size, but in format.
Across every major sport…faster and more accessible versions are exploding in popularity.
It’s a trend that’s reshaping participation, media, and investment opportunities across the industry (and it’s only getting started).
Let’s Dive In 👇
The Rise of Niche Sports
Traditional sports have long been dominated by rigid structures, expensive barriers to entry, and long game formats.
But consumer preferences have shifted.
We’re seeing a new wave of sports across both the professional and recreational landscape.
Let’s break down some of the most notable (with a full list below):
1. TGL → The Compact PGA Tour
TGL, the Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy-backed simulator golf league, is redefining what professional golf can look like in a digital-first world.
This condensed version of the PGA Tour is built for modern sports consumption:
- Cuts down an 18-hole game into a 90-minute format
- High-tech simulator league with primetime TV appeal
With some of the biggest names in golf involved, TGL is pushing the boundaries of how golf can be played, viewed, and monetized.
I still believe however…
Most fans don’t know how to engage or even properly watch an event like this — alternative leagues face an education gap.
2. Pickleball → The “Fun-Size” Tennis
With lower skill barriers and rapid gameplay, it has become a sport that anyone can pick up quickly, making it ideal for casual and competitive players alike.
Courts have popped up everywhere—from gyms to malls to office parks—further fueling its popularity.
- Over 36.5M players in 2023, up 159% from 2020
- Now the fastest-growing sport in America for multiple straight years
- Professional leagues, celebrity ownership, and $500M+ in VC funding
I’m not sure we’ll ever see a sport explode in popularity as fast as pickleball did.
3. 3×3 Basketball → Streetball Goes Global
I knew 3×3 basketball was going to take off when I first got exposed to it in high school by Joe Lewandowski — who was the head coach for Team USA 3×3 in the Paris Olympics.
What I didn’t expect was the rise of all the different leagues serving it:
- Official Olympic sport as of 2020
- Faster, more intense, and TV-friendly (shorter games)
- Costs less to operate than a traditional basketball league
Ultimately…it allows for greater participation and expansion.
4. Other Minaturized Sports Examples
- Padel → squash meets tennis
- Slapboxing → pro slap fighting
- HADO → AR-powered dodgeball
- Spikeball → social backyard sport
- Teqball → soccer meets ping pong
- Arena Football → football with walls
- Bicycle Polo → polo without the horses
- ChessBoxing → brain & brawn combined
- SlamBall → basketball meets trampolines
- Bossaball → volleyball & soccer on trampolines
- FootGolf & FlingGolf → golf meets other sports
- World Chase Tag → competitive parkour-style tag
- eSkootr Championship → racing league for e-scooters
- Drone Racing League (DRL) → esports meets motorsports
- The Soccer Tournament (TST) → 7v7 soccer w/ prize money
- The Hundred & T10 Cricket → condensed versions of cricket
- Drone Soccer → the next evolution of remote-controlled sports
- Ice Cross (Red Bull Crashed Ice) → hockey meets downhill racing
- Underwater Hockey & Underwater Rugby → what they sound like
I could keep adding to this list…especially when you think about all the new sportainment concepts.
Prime example: F1 Arcade → social racing experience.
Why Is This Happening in Sports?
I believe there are four core reasons:
1. Lower Barriers to Entry — It’s easier than ever to start a new sports league, and investors are eager to try and find the next big one.
2. Consumer Behavior — The faster-paced and more entertainment-driven styles are a better fit for modern media consumption.
Many of these formats take 50-70% less time than the traditional formats.
- Highlights > Full games
- Interactive & social > Passive viewing
- Short-form content > Long broadcasts
3. New Monetization Avenues — Since sports have officially been deemed an asset class, and the entire ecosystem is seeing the levers (and opportunities) from a revenue-generating perspective.
- Pay-per-play > Ticketed events
- Subscription models > One-time purchases
- Social-driven growth > Traditional marketing
4. The Internet is Fragmenting — Consumers have more options to find their true passions; you are no longer stuck to the sports your parents grew up watching.
Looking Ahead
Sports aren’t disappearing. They’re evolving.
The next wave of miniaturized sports will unlock new billion-dollar opportunities for:
- Sports entrepreneurs: look for the “miniature” version of a big sport
- Investors: watch for breakout brands riding this trend
- Operators: think about simplification and accessibility in your business model
- Media & Brands: capitalize on snackable sports content and engagement
The “miniaturization of sports” is here to stay.
Who’s building the next great version?
