Press Release - February 2026

• Private companies' management of public sports facilities generated revenue of €750 million in 2025, up 8% year-on-year.

• In recent years, supply concentration has increased significantly. The rise in the number of concession contracts awarded and the acquisition of smaller companies has enabled the leading groups to gain ground in the sector. The top ten now account for nearly 65% of the market.

• INFORMA's DBK Sectoral Observatory recently published these insights in the 'Sports Facilities Management' Special Basic Report.

Madrid, 25 February 2026.- According to INFORMA's (Cesce's subsidiary) DBK Sectoral Observatory—a leading provider of business, financial, sectoral, and marketing information in Spain and Portugal—private companies' management of publicly owned sports centres generated revenue of around €750 million in 2025, an increase of about 8% from 2024, slightly below the near-10% annual figures recorded in the previous two-year period.

The rise in sports participation, amid growing concern about health and physical fitness, largely explains this business momentum. 

The increase in the number of public sports centres with privatised management, service diversification and improved facilities—with an offering increasingly similar to private centres—along with their lower price, also boosted the market.

The business remains highly fragmented, dominated by small and medium-sized companies operating locally or regionally and managing a limited number of centres.

However, supply concentration is increasing, a trend expected to continue. The leading groups are forging ahead via a growing number of concession contracts awarded and the acquisition of established companies. 

The top five operators now account for nearly half of sector turnover; the top ten hold a combined market share close to 65%.

Andalusia, Castile-La Mancha and Castile and León stand out as the regions with the highest total number of sports facilities. However, Catalonia and Madrid recorded the highest degree of privatisation in their management.

Strong demand will continue to drive revenue growth from the private management of public sports centres in the short to medium term. However, moderate slowing is expected, amid weakening overall economic activity and private consumption.

Data Synthesis