{"id":80965,"date":"2026-02-08T20:49:41","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T03:49:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climbingbusinessjournal.com\/?p=80965"},"modified":"2026-02-12T01:45:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T08:45:24","slug":"gyms-and-trends-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climbingbusinessjournal.com\/gyms-and-trends-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Gyms and Trends 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n

\"CBJ
Given the economic conditions, 2025 proved to be a challenging year for many climbing gym operators, developers and suppliers in North America, although there were success stories throughout the year. CBJ\u2019s survey of 240 climbing facilities shined a new light on how revenues, traffic, programs and more were changing on the ground last year, as well as what operators are forecasting for 2026. (Photo of Momentum Fort Union, courtesy of Walltopia)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

At this time last year, analysis of the North American climbing gym industry revealed an array of somewhat contrasting trends<\/a>; commercial gym development was booming, whereas operators of preexisting climbing gyms\u2014that is, gyms that were already in operation when the year began\u2014were citing significant headwinds. This year, as we reflect on the trends of 2025, we can say that the overall trends were more aligned and many key indicators trended downward.<\/p>\n

Specifically, the number of new climbing gyms that opened in North America was down for 2025 compared to 2024, and so too was the total amount of climbing wall surface built across those new gyms. And based on the results of CBJ\u2019s first Gyms & Trends Survey<\/a>, traffic and revenues were largely flat or down at many preexisting gyms around the continent. Adding to these hurdles, and perhaps playing a major role in consumer habits throughout 2025, was an uptick in expenses and general macroeconomic woes referenced in the survey responses\u2014all of which prompted some gyms to scale back their plans for growth and expansion.<\/p>\n

<\/div>
\"2026<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/em><\/p>\n

In short, it\u2019s safe to say 2025 was a challenging year for the climbing gym industry in North America. \u201cBoom times are over,\u201d summed up one operator at a multi-location climbing gym business. \u201cProfitability is much harder unless you have scale and infrastructure to support institutional growth or mergers and acquisitions.\u201d<\/p>\n

That assessment echoed many others expressed via CBJ\u2019s Gyms & Trend Survey\u2014more of which will be featured throughout this report. We also highlight key statistical takeaways from the survey results, which span 240 climbing facilities (85% United States, 8% Canada, 3% Mexico, 4% other countries) and can be viewed in full in the CBJ Climbing Gym Operators Forecast Dashboard<\/a>. The interactive dashboard displays in-depth trends from 2025 in climbing facility revenues, expenses, traffic, prices, programs, amenities and more, as well as expected trends for 2026.<\/p>\n

\"CBJ<\/p>\n

While feelings of \u201cuncertainty\u201d and \u201cconcern\u201d underscore much of this year\u2019s analysis, there were also some bright spots that shone through the data, including a rise in youth program sign-ups that buoyed some gyms last year. Read on for more high-level takeaways from the survey results, and more statistics on new climbing gym development in North America can be found at the end of this report and in the CBJ Climbing Gym Industry Growth Dashboard<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In tandem with this report and the accompanying dashboards, be sure to check out the 2025 CBJ Gym List Awards<\/a>, which lists all the new climbing gym openings and closures in North America last year, as well as the leading gyms and suppliers.<\/p>\n

\"CBJ<\/p>\n

Key Statistics on North American Climbing Gym Growth in 2025<\/h3>\n

53 newly opened climbing gyms (40 USA, 11 CAN, 2 MEX)
\n(60 in 2024: 48 USA, 7 CAN, 5 MEX)<\/p>\n

12 permanent climbing gym closures (12 USA, 0 CAN, 0 MEX)
\n(8 in 2024: 7 USA, 1 CAN, 0 MEX)<\/p>\n

41 net new climbing gyms (28 USA, 11 CAN, 2 MEX)
\n(52 in 2024; 41 USA, 6 CAN, 5 MEX)<\/p>\n

4.7% net growth rate (4.2% USA, 6.5% CAN, 5.0% MEX)
\n(6.3% in 2024; 6.5% USA, 3.7% CAN, 14.3% MEX)<\/p>\n

356,314 square feet of climbing across new gyms (307,832 USA, 41,562 CAN, 6,920 MEX)
\n(460,997 in 2024; 404,311 USA, 23,200 CAN, 33,486 MEX)<\/p>\n

Access the Report & Dashboards<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Want to access the report and dashboards?<\/p>\n