July 31, 2005

By: Mark Harris
Website: http://www.paintball-guns-n-equipment.com

Paintball – participation keeps climbing boosting wholesale paintball equipment sales

Paintball – is it extreme, team or mainstream? Today, it's considered all three. Paintball's participation numbers are taking aim at the general population! Check out the latest stats from SGMA International's Superstudy® of Sports Participation (2003 edition) (conducted by American Sports Data, Inc.).

Since 1998, overall paintball participation (age 6 and older) in the U.S. has risen each year: 1998 – 5.9 million; 1999 – 6.4 million; 2000 – 7.1 million; 2001 – 7.7 million; and 2002 – 8.7 million.

Over the past five years (1998 - 2002), there have been a number of significant trends among the base of "frequent" (15 days/year) participants. Some of the more pertinent facts are listed below.

Participant Explosion. Since 1998, "frequent" participation has grown by 88% – from 793,000 in 1998 to 1,471,000 in 2002.

Males Rule. Although "frequent" participation by women has basically stayed the same, "frequent" participation by men grew by 107%, while female participation has not grown.

Financial Factor. In 1998, 38% of "frequent" paintballers came from household incomes of more than $50,000. In 2002, 45% of "frequent" paintballers came from household incomes of more than $50,000.

Connected? More than 75% of all "frequent" paintball participants are connected to the Internet at home.

According to SGMA International's Recreation Market Report (2003 edition), wholesale sales of paintball equipment have more than doubled in recent years – from $170 million in 1999 to $370 million in 2002.

About The Author:

Mark Harris is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.paintball-guns-n-equipment.com.  Find all the paintball gear, masks, jerseys, guns, pistols, protection, paint supplies, accessories and more.