Core Viewpoint - The rise of niche sports like pickleball reflects a shift in consumer preferences towards personalized and refined experiences in sports consumption, driven by social media and changing demographics [2][3][6]. Group 1: Niche Sports and Consumer Trends - Pickleball has gained significant popularity, with 140 million views on social media platforms and over 1100% sales growth during the "6·18" shopping festival on Tmall [2]. - The characteristics of pickleball, such as smaller courts and lighter equipment, make it more accessible compared to traditional sports like tennis [2]. - Experts suggest that the current popularity of pickleball partially stems from the overflow of demand from tennis, although its long-term sustainability is questioned [2][3]. Group 2: Role of Social Media - Social media plays a crucial role in promoting niche sports, enhancing participation through sharing and community engagement [6]. - The viral nature of platforms allows niche sports to gain visibility, potentially transforming them into mainstream activities in the future [6]. Group 3: Market Dynamics of Sports - Niche sports often cater to high-net-worth individuals, leading to higher average spending per participant, while traditional sports have a larger market scale due to broader participation [7]. - The distinction between niche and mainstream sports is not absolute, as many niche sports may evolve into popular activities over time [6][7]. Group 4: Policy and Economic Impact - Recent policies aim to stimulate sports consumption through events and activities, recognizing the potential economic benefits of sports [8][9]. - The balance between high-value niche sports and widely participated mainstream sports is essential for overall sports consumption growth [7][9]. Group 5: Importance of Leisure Time - The availability of leisure time is deemed more critical than income for driving sports consumption, emphasizing the need for better work-life balance [10][11]. - Implementing effective vacation policies can significantly enhance participation in sports, thereby boosting consumption [11].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles highlights the rising popularity of niche sports like pickleball, which is seen as having significant potential for growth in the sports consumption market, driven by lower entry barriers and social media influence [1][2][5]. - Pickleball's browsing volume on social media platforms has reached 140 million, with sales of equipment on Tmall increasing by over 1100% during the "6·18" shopping festival, indicating a strong consumer interest [2]. - Experts suggest that both niche and mainstream sports play different but positive roles in driving sports consumption, emphasizing the need to explore community events and optimize sports venue supply to better activate sports consumption [1][3][8]. Group 2 - Niche sports like pickleball and rock climbing reflect a trend towards refined demands and personalized experiences among younger sports consumers, indicating a shift in consumer preferences [3][4]. - The market for mainstream sports is larger due to a broader audience, while niche sports cater to more specific demographics, often resulting in higher price points for participation [4][7]. - Social media has amplified the visibility of niche sports, enhancing participation driven by social needs, and creating new business models for event organizers through live streaming and e-commerce [6][9]. Group 3 - Policies aimed at boosting sports consumption have been implemented, recognizing the potential of sports events to stimulate economic activity, with a notable increase in service consumption within the sports industry [8][10]. - Community sports events are seen as effective in integrating local consumption preferences, suggesting that they can be more cost-effective compared to high-profile international events [9][11]. - The importance of leisure time ("having free time") is emphasized as a critical factor for promoting sports consumption, alongside income levels, indicating that ensuring adequate time off is essential for increasing participation [10][11].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the rising popularity of pickleball as a potential breakout sport, driven by its accessibility and the overflow of demand from traditional sports like tennis [1][4]. Group 1: Emerging Sports and Consumer Trends - Pickleball has seen a significant increase in interest, with social media discussions reaching 140 million views on one platform and over 380 million on another [4]. - Sales data indicates that during the "6·18" shopping festival, sales of pickleball equipment on Tmall surged by over 1100% [4]. - The rise of niche sports like pickleball, rock climbing, and disc golf reflects a shift in consumer preferences, particularly among younger generations seeking new sports experiences [4][5]. Group 2: Impact of Social Media - Social media plays a crucial role in promoting niche sports, enhancing participation through shared experiences and related content [8]. - The social attributes of sports like pickleball drive engagement, with many participants motivated by social interaction and sharing on platforms [8]. Group 3: Distinction Between Mainstream and Niche Sports - Mainstream sports have a broader audience and larger market size, benefiting from international promotion and high fan loyalty [6]. - Niche sports cater to more specific demographics, often requiring unique resources and reflecting localized cultural preferences [6][9]. Group 4: Economic Contributions of Sports - Niche sports often attract high-net-worth individuals, contributing significantly to overall sports consumption despite their smaller participant base [9]. - Mainstream sports, due to their larger participation numbers, create substantial market scales, particularly in sports education and training sectors [9]. Group 5: Role of Sports Events in Consumption - Sports events are essential for driving consumption, with policies increasingly focusing on leveraging sports activities to stimulate economic growth [11][12]. - Local community events can effectively integrate with consumer preferences, often providing a more cost-effective means of promoting sports compared to high-profile international events [12]. Group 6: Importance of Leisure Time - The availability of leisure time is deemed more critical than income for driving sports consumption, emphasizing the need for policies that ensure people have time to engage in sports [14]. - Initiatives to promote sports participation, such as public fitness programs and consumer subsidies, are vital for sustaining growth in sports consumption [14].