GCC Sports Drinks Market Research Report: Forecast (2025-2030)

Market Definition

Sports drinks are beverages that are designed to provide hydration and electrolytes to the body during or after physical activities. They are made up of water with added sugar, ions, and electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and chloride.

Market Insights & Analysis: GCC Sports Drinks Market (2025-30):

The GCC Sports Drinks Market size was valued at around 53.11 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 93.12 million by 2030. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 9.89% during the forecast period, i.e., 2025-30. The main reason behind this growth is the health benefits offered by sports drinks. They are not only consumed by sports persons but also by common people as there is a shift towards maintaining good health in parallel with the shift towards indulgence and sports drinks are the best way to address both.

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Moreover, the GCC countries are highly focused on hosting various sports events to meet their economic diversification goals. Various companies sponsor such events to promote their products and increase their visibility to increase the demand for sports drinks. For instance, PepsiCo has become the gold sponsor for the Saudi Pro League to be held in 2024-25. Additionally, the brand has also teamed up with the Esports World Cup in Riyadh. All these factors are responsible for strengthening the market position of PepsiCo and hence making Gatorade the market leader of sports drinks in Saudi Arabia. As more such sports events are expected to be organized in GCC, they will provide good growth opportunities for the growth of the sports drinks market.

Furthermore, the fitness industry is also growing in this region with Saudi Arabia as the fastest growing country having around USD 19.8 billion wellness economy. Several global chains are investing and establishing their gyms in GCC nations. As a result, the demand for sports drinks will also increase to provide the desired hydration and minerals to the athletes. For instance, a global fitness chain GymNation hooked up six new gyms in Saudi Arabia in 2024. It has also invested more than USD 19 million to amplify its network within the UAE. The company has also aimed to open 20 to 30 more gyms within the GCC including Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain by 2025. Therefore, due to the increasing number of sports activities and the consumers of sports drinks, the market is expected to witness high growth in the forecast period.

GCC Sports Drinks Market Driver:

Growing Health Consciousness – The focus of GCC’s population on maintaining their physical health is continuously increasing. As many people are inclined towards gyms and other fitness centers, there is a very high demand for sports drinks to provide hydration and ensure proper electrolytes in the body. In 2023, around 7% population in UAE have a gym membership but it is expected to increase because of high obesity rates in the region.

Moreover, the non-gym population is also a prominent user of sports drinks. This is due to the hot climate of the region which leads to high dehydration among people. Sports drinks offer both hydration and electrolytes which makes them ideal for these environmental conditions. Therefore, due to the high demand for proper hydration and health maintenance, sports drinks have been widely used in GCC, and this trend is expected to continue in the forthcoming period as well.

GCC Sports Drinks Market Opportunity:

Functional Sports Drinks to Offer Lucrative Growth Opportunities – The functionality is rapidly becoming important for consumers, as they want value for money and health benefits from the products they consume. Sports drinks are already designed to offer functionality such as electrolytes and vitamins in most cases but they do not have anything written clearly on the packaging. Nevertheless, consumers in the GCC region are looking for clear claims, indicating functionality, rather than assuming what the company claims. Moreover, this can also help companies to distinguish their drinks from soft drinks and energy drinks hence helping them in reducing taxes that are imposed on sugar-containing drinks. Therefore, due to the high interest of people in sports drinks, market players can witness a lucrative growth opportunity by providing proper functionality of the drinks so that customers can choose drinks for their respective purposes.

GCC Sports Drinks Market Challenge:

Presence of Sugar Content in Sports Drinks – Most sports drinks have sugar content present in them. As many people are becoming health conscious in the GCC countries, they avoid such sports drinks to avoid various health issues such as diabetes, improper blood pressure, etc., thus limiting the market’s growth.

Moreover, the sales of sports drinks have declined in Saudi Arabia in the past years. The reason behind that decline is also the presence of sugar. To improve the health of the population by reducing the consumption of sugar, the Saudi government imposed a 50% sugar tax in 2017, due to which the price of sports drinks is high in the kingdom as compared to other countries of the GCC. As a result, many people avoid purchasing sports drinks thus reducing their sales. For instance, Gatorade lemon is available in Qatar for around USD 1.37 as of Dec, 2024 whereas the same drink is available in Saudi Arabia for around USD 2.91 thus showing the high price of sports drinks. Therefore, the presence of sugar in sports drinks can limit the market’s growth & expansion.

GCC Sports Drinks Market Trend:

Increasing Adoption of Sugar-Free Sports Drinks – The people of GCC countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait are observed to be more inclined towards health consciousness due to the rising cases of diabetes & other sugar-related diseases in past years. This has increased the demand for sugar-free sports drinks. This trend has also inclined various sports drink companies to launch sugar-free products in the market. Hence, sugar-free sports drinks have been in trend for the past few years as a substitute for ordinary sugar-containing sports drinks. The leading brand in this trend is Prime, which offers hydration without sugar content and is available in a wide range of flavors. Therefore, the combination of sports drinks meeting consumers’ changing needs and the appearance of several new brands is helping to drive the sugar-free category forward.

GCC Sports Drinks Market (2025-30): Segmentation Analysis

The GCC Sports Drinks Market study of MarkNtel Advisors evaluates & highlights the major trends and influencing factors in each segment. It includes predictions for the period 2025–30 at the regional level. Based on the analysis, the market has been further classified as:

Based on Product:

• Hypotonic
• Isotonic
• Hypertonic

Based on the type of product, Isotonic sports drinks hold a major market share of more than 60%. This is because isotonic drinks have similar proportions of salts and sugars in them as in the human body. As a result, it has ideal osmotic pressure for efficiently absorbing into the human body. These factors make them the most ideal drinks for the GCC region with a hot and arid climate that causes frequent dehydration and loss of electrolytes.

Moreover, the GCC population is highly inclined towards physical fitness. Isotonic sports drinks are the most favored drinks by such people as they require replenishment of electrolytes after workouts in gyms. This is because other segments either do not provide electrolytes or have high sugar content. Therefore, due to the ideal concentration of salts and sugars in isotonic drinks for proper hydration and electrolyte replenishment, they are the most widely used as compared to other segments.

Based on Packaging:

• Cans
• Bottles
• Packets

Based on the type of packaging, sports drinks are mostly available in bottles thus holding a major market share of more than 70%. This is because bottles are made up of plastic, which makes them durable and easy to carry while being cost-efficient. Also, as bottles can be resealed anytime, they are ideal for gym people as they might consume the drink in multiple sessions.

Moreover, the use of bottles also aligns with the sustainability goals of the GCC region. Plastic bottles can be reused or easily recycled without the emission of carbon in the environment, unlike other segments such as cans. Also, the major market leaders present in the GCC region generally use bottles for sports drinks and cans for energy or soft drinks. Therefore, due to the wide advantages of bottles, they are preferred by most of the companies.

GCC Sports Drinks Market (2025-30): Regional Projections

Geographically, the GCC Sports Drinks Market expands across:

• The UAE
• Saudi Arabia
• Qatar
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Bahrain

Regionally, the UAE is the most prominent consumer of sports drinks with a market share of more than 60%. This is because the UAE has strong ties with Western regions & brands due to which there is a wide range of sports drinks present in it. Additionally, the UAE has the largest population of citizens and expatriates living in the GCC region, allowing marketers to take advantage of bulk sales. Moreover, there is a very high number of tourists coming to the UAE. Dubai alone has recorded around 9.31 million international visitors in the first half of 2024. These people further increase the demand for sports drinks as they act as an ideal hydrating and appetizing liquid. Therefore, due to the availability of a wide range of sports drinks and their consumers, the UAE holds the major market share.

GCC Sports Drinks Industry Recent Development:

• 2024: PepsiCo’s brand Gatorade launched Hydration Booster, a powder that can be mixed in drinks. The aim of this product is to provide hydration all day long as it contains essential electrolytes and vitamins.
• 2024: Coca-Cola Co’s brand Powerade launched a new golden mango flavor. This product comes with new packaging which shows all the functionality and product information.

Gain a Competitive Edge with Our GCC Sports Drinks Market Report

1. GCC Sports Drinks Market Report by MarkNtel Advisors provides a detailed & thorough analysis of market size & market share, growth rate, competitive landscape, and key players. This comprehensive analysis helps businesses gain a holistic understanding of market dynamics & make informed decisions.
2. This report also highlights current market trends & future projections, allowing businesses to identify emerging opportunities & potential challenges. By understanding market forecasts, companies can align their strategies & stay ahead of the competition.
3. The GCC Sports Drinks Market Report aids in assessing & mitigating risks associated with entering or operating in the market. By understanding market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and potential challenges, businesses can develop strategies to minimize risks & optimize their operations.

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