The unveiling of the Most Attractive Employers in Sport 2026 shortlists continues with the Sporting Goods Brands category, highlighting the companies that sports professionals and aspiring professionals would most like to work for.
From global sportswear giants to specialist performance, outdoor and lifestyle brands, the organisations selected this year reflect the breadth and evolution of the sporting goods industry.
The Top 20 Sporting Goods Brands of 2026
Presented in alphabetical order, the shortlisted organisations are:
- Adidas
- Arc'Teryx
- Asics
- Decathlon
- Gymshark
- Hoka
- Lacoste
- Lululemon
- New Balance
- Nike
- Oakley
- On
- Patagonia
- Puma
- Quiksilver
- Salomon
- The North Face
- Under Armour
- Uniqlo
- Vans
The shortlist brings together some of the world’s best-known sporting goods companies, spanning performance footwear and apparel, outdoor equipment, action sports, athleisure and fashion-led sportswear.
Established industry leaders such as Adidas, Nike, Puma and New Balance appear alongside fast-growing and specialist brands including Hoka, Gymshark, Lululemon and On. The presence of Arc'Teryx, Patagonia, Salomon and The North Face also demonstrates the continued appeal of employers operating at the intersection of sport, outdoor recreation and lifestyle.
What Has Changed Since 2025?
There is strong continuity between the 2025 and 2026 shortlists, with 17 of last year’s selected brands retaining their places.
Gymshark, Hoka and Lululemon join the Top 20 this year, replacing Hummel, Kappa and Mizuno. Their inclusion reflects the growing employer appeal of brands that have built distinctive identities in performance, fitness and active lifestyle markets.
The final ranking will reveal which of these 20 organisations sports professionals consider the most attractive employer in the Sporting Goods Brands category.
About the Most Attractive Employers in Sport
The Most Attractive Employers in Sport survey, conducted annually by iWorkinSport, asks people working in—or aspiring to work in—the sports industry to identify the organisations they would most like to work for.
The 2026 survey gathered responses from 1,051 participants representing 58 nationalities, reflecting the global nature of the sports industry.
The shortlists recognise the organisations that received the highest number of votes within their respective categories. The names presented above are listed alphabetically and do not represent the final ranking.
The complete ranking will be unveiled during the Most Attractive Employers in Sport Awards ceremony on 16 October 2026.
The study provides valuable insights into employer branding in sport and helps organisations understand how they are perceived by the industry’s current and future workforce. Inclusion in the shortlist reflects respondents’ perceptions and preferences and should not be interpreted as an assessment of an organisation’s internal working conditions or employment practices.
About iWorkinSport
iWorkinSport is the leading global platform dedicated to recruitment, career development and education in the sports industry. It connects employers, professionals and academic institutions through recruitment services, career events, industry intelligence and specialised content.
For further information, please contact info@iworkinsport.com.