World Intellectual Property Day 2026: New WIPO Data Show IP Use Booming in Sports Industry

Golf, swimming and racket sports are the most patent-intensive areas of the sports industry, where use of intellectual property (IP) is rising at above-average rates, according to a new World Intellectual Property Organization report released to mark World IP Day.

World IP Day is celebrated on April 26 each year and this year’s theme – “IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate” – shows how IP-backed innovation drives growth in the multi-billion dollar sports industry and supports athletic excellence and fan enjoyment.

According to a newly released “WIPO Technology SPARK” report, innovation and IP use in the sports industry is booming. Between 2016 and 2025, more than 65,700 sports-related inventions were recorded, alongside over 1.25 million trademarks and more than 70,000 designs.

Sports is not just about muscle and bone but also about ideas and intangible assets. The club logos that fans are passionate about, the sponsorship deals that link brands with athletes, the technology driving athletic performance, the broadcasting deals that bring sports events to billions of viewers - none of it is possible without IP.  Today, we shine a light on how IP is where sports meets innovation and creativity.

Growth is strong across all types of IP. In the decade through 2025, sports-related patents increased by 7.6% annually, compared to 4.4% growth for all patent filings. Sports trademark registrations grew by 6.1%, nearly double the overall rate, while designs rose by 8.3%, also far above the global average.

Asia is the top source of patents and designs, representing 63% and 76% of filings respectively, followed by North America (22%) while Europe stands out in trademark activity (43%), reflecting the dense landscape of sports brands and clubs in Europe.

Major golf brands like Titleist and PING lead sports patenting, alongside industry giants Nike and Adidas.