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An analysis of Russia's sports insurance market: 300% growth from 2010 to 2025, the most popular sports for insurance coverage, policy costs, and prospects for mandatory insurance for competition participants.
AI summary
The sports insurance market in Russia grew by 300% from 2010 to 2025, transitioning from a niche product for professionals to a mass-market segment. Growth drivers included digitalization, expansion of product lines, and increased interest in sports following the pandemic. The main market challenge is the absence of mandatory insurance for mass sporting events.
From Niche Product to Mass Demand
Between 2010 and 2015, sports insurance in Russia remained a narrow segment of the insurance market. Policies were purchased primarily by professional athletes, children's sports schools (at the initiative of parents or as required by sports federations and competition organizers), and participants in official competitions. Mass demand was limited, and the product was poorly differentiated. Market participants note that dynamics remained moderate until 2020.
The situation changed dramatically during the pandemic years. In 2020–2021, the cancellation of competitions and training sessions led to a decline in sales. However, starting in 2022, the market entered a recovery phase, followed by active growth. As noted by the press service of Ingosstrakh, driven by digitalization, expanded product lines, and growing interest in sports:
"The approximate growth of the sports insurance market from 2010 to 2025 is 300%."
International estimates help gauge the current scale of the segment: in 2025, the global sports insurance market is valued at $14–15 billion and is growing at 5–6% annually.
Which Sports Are Most Frequently Insured
Demand structure is directly linked to the popularity and injury risk of various sports. In the amateur insurance segment, disciplines with broad audiences lead the way. Director of Projects at SberInsurance Elena Kosheleva emphasizes:
"Policies are most often purchased for running, swimming, martial arts—such as judo, sambo, and karate—and team sports like football, basketball, and volleyball."
Other insurers are also seeing steady demand for hockey, rhythmic gymnastics, competitive dance, and skiing disciplines. At the same time, the market is clearly segmented by risk level, which is reflected in policy pricing. Insurance House VSK emphasized: