Is Niche the New Mainstream? A New Report Reveals Surprising Shifts in Global Sports Data Demand
In an industry shaped by real-time shifts and razor-thin margins, accurate, reliable insight into where sports betting data demand is heading isn’t just valuable — it’s essential. Drawing on data from over 450 sportsbook operators worldwide, a newly released report by LSports offers an intriguing look at how consumption trends are actively reshaping bettor behavior. Grounded in real market activity, it delivers clear, actionable insights that every sportsbook should keep in mind.
The headline number: global sports data consumption surged by 32% year-over-year in Q1 2025. However, the big story lies in the unexpected rise of niche sports and leagues.
Table tennis became the second most requested sport globally, overtaking tennis and basketball and cementing its status as a high-performing niche asset for sportsbooks. With over 4.2 million fixtures ordered and a 27% rise in consumption, its fast match cycles and nonstop calendar make it a top driver of turnover and user retention. The report highlights the sport’s five most-requested competitions, offering insights sportsbooks wouldn’t want to overlook.
Football remains a cornerstone, but this quarter revealed notable shifts beneath the surface. Four of the ten most requested football leagues came from Spain and Italy’s third, fourth, and even fifth tiers. They were joined by two other surprising entries: Turkey’s Süper Lig and the ACL Indoor 5×5 Championship. Together, these six leagues accounted for nearly 8% of all football data consumption, highlighting untapped potential in competitions often considered niche.
Esports continued its remarkable rise, leading all sports in growth rate with a 75% year-over-year increase. Simulated sports and core titles drove record engagement: E-Football and E-Basketball rose by 122% and 79%, respectively, while CS2 and Dota 2 posted strong double-digit growth — reinforcing esports as a vertical sportsbooks can no longer afford to ignore.
Basketball also had its moment, with March Madness recording the highest single-quarter fixture consumption in Q1 2025, reaffirming its dominance. Notably, the EuroLeague — traditionally more popular in Europe — saw its highest growth in North America, with demand jumping by 81.5%.
The ITF continued serving as a key engagement driver within the tennis vertical, with a striking 77% increase and nearly 600,000 fixtures ordered. Meanwhile, the Daily Premier Tour emerged as a breakout performer, climbing into the top three most consumed tennis competitions after posting an impressive 478% growth — a clear signal that bettor appetite for high-frequency formats continues to grow.
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