2025
9
UK Sports and Energy Drinks Market Report 2025
2025-08-29T10:01:33+00:00
REP08C1D2E6_1B76_42E6_A8FA_7DA0F618C8E0
2995
186200
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Report
en_GB
The caffeine content of energy drinks plays a central role in their core proposition of boosting alertness. However, there's substantial interest in lower- and caffeine-free variants among users, suggesting that…
UK
Sports and Energy Drinks
simple

UK Sports and Energy Drinks Market Report 2025

"Hit by PRIME’s struggles, the market is regaining momentum in 2025. NPD responding to concerns around sugar, caffeine and UPFs is crucial to keep consumers engaged."

Sam Fryers, Research Analyst

Sam Fryers, Research Analyst

UK Sports and Energy Drinks Market – Trends and Analysis

  • The caffeine content of energy drinks is central to their appeal for boosting alertness, but there is growing interest in lower- and caffeine-free options among users. This highlights an opportunity for further new product development (NPD) to cater to this demand.
  • Sports drinks face challenges with low consumer trust in their ability to support hydration, both within and beyond their core sports context. This scepticism leaves them vulnerable to competition from other soft drinks that are now exploring similar hydration benefits.
  • Energy drinks have untapped potential in the alcohol moderation space. While they are not commonly consumed on nights out, over half of users find the idea of sophisticated-looking energy drinks as an alternative to alcoholic beverages appealing.
  • The trend toward alcohol moderation is expected to grow as health becomes a greater priority for consumers, creating an opportunity for energy drinks to position themselves as a stylish and health-conscious alternative.
  • To remain competitive, energy drink brands should explore innovations that address both the demand for lower-caffeine options and the opportunity to align with the alcohol moderation movement, while also differentiating themselves from sports and soft drink competitors.

Key Topics Analysed in the Report

  • Overview of current market performance and the outlook for the next five years
  • Key new product development trends in the category
  • Usage of sports drinks and energy drinks, including key occasions
  • Reasons for not drinking sports and energy drinks
  • Behaviours relating to sports and energy drinks, including role of flavour NPD in driving engagement
  • Attitudes towards sports and energy drinks, including role as alcohol alternatives
Report AttributesDetails
Published DateAugust 2025
Data Range2019-2030
Measurement MetricsRevenue in £
Consumer Data2,000 internet users aged 16+, April 2025
Number of Pages89
Market SegmentationEnergy Drinks, Sports Drinks
Leading Brands in the UK Energy Drinks MarketRed Bull, Monster, Lucozade, Boost, Relentless, Rockstar, Purdey’s
Leading Brands in the UK Sports Drinks MarketLucozade, Powerade, PRIME Hydration, Boost
Collapse All
  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    • Opportunities for the sports and energy drinks market
    • Hydration holds potential for sports drinks
    • Strong interest in lower caffeine variants
    • Energy drinks can tap alcohol moderation
    • Market dynamics and outlook
    • Market size & forecast
    • Market predictions
    • Value sales forecast to reach £4.5 billion by 2030
    • Market must respond to new regulations and health interest
    • Red Bull and Monster continue to dominate energy drinks, posting double-digit value growth
    • Graph 1: leading brands’ sales in the energy drinks retail market, by value, 2022/23-24/25
    • Lucozade continues to dominate sports drinks; Powerade enjoys rapid growth
    • Graph 2: leading brands’ sales in the sports drinks retail market, by value, 2022/23-24/25
    • What consumers want and why
    • Young people and men remain core category users
    • Graph 3: usage of sports drinks and energy drinks at least once a week, by gender and age, 2025
    • Desk work/study and manual labour are the top usage occasions
    • Graph 4: sports and energy drinks usage occasions, 2025
    • Perceived lack of relevance is main barrier to sports and energy drinks usage
    • Graph 5: leading reasons for not drinking sports and energy drinks, 2025
    • New flavours fuel switching between brands
    • Graph 6: behaviours related to sports and energy drinks, 2025
    • Alcohol moderation holds potential for energy drinks
    • Graph 7: attitudes towards sports and energy drinks, 2025
    • Innovation and marketing
    • Flavour innovation and celebrity tie-ups continue
    • Red Bull and PepsiCo continue to dominate adspend
    • Graph 8: above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure on sports and energy drinks, by advertisers, 2021-25
  2. MARKET DYNAMICS

    • Market size
    • Volumes sales recover in 2025
    • Graph 9: total value and volume sales of sports and energy drinks, 2025
    • Cool summer weather in 2024 dampened demand; warmer weather and NPD support growth in 2025
    • Market forecast
    • Value sales forecast to reach £4.5 billion by 2030
    • Volumes forecast to show modest growth
    • Modest volume growth ahead
    • Inflation and premiumisation will drive value growth
    • Market segmentation
    • Sports drinks lose share over 2023-25
    • Graph 10: total sports and energy drinks volume sales, by segment, 2023-25
    • Graph 11: total sports and energy drinks value sales, by segment, 2023-25
    • PRIME’s decline took its toll on the sports drinks segment
    • Market share
    • Red Bull and Monster continue to dominate, posting double-digit value growth
    • Graph 12: leading brands’ sales in the energy drinks retail market, by value, 2022/23-24/25
    • Alcohol brands invest in energy drinks
    • Lucozade continues to dominate sports drinks; Powerade enjoys rapid growth
    • Graph 13: leading brands’ sales in the sports drinks retail market, by value, 2022/23-24/25
    • Powerade and Boost grow, boosted by marketing
    • The PRIME bubble burst in 2024/25
    • Market drivers
    • Only three in ten see finances as healthy
    • Graph 14: the financial confidence index, 2016-25
    • Need to cater to health focus endures
    • Graph 15: how often people try to eat healthily, 2019-25
    • Scrutiny of UPFs affects drink choices
    • Government measures on HFSS food and drink slow to roll out
    • Ban on energy drinks for under-16s, an extension to the SDIL’s scope is under consultation
    • Slowing growth in key age groups ahead
    • Graph 16: population, by age, 2020, 2025 and 2030
  3. WHAT CONSUMERS WANT AND WHY

    • Usage of sports and energy drinks
    • Nearly three in five people use sports and energy drinks
    • Young people and men remain core category users
    • Graph 17: usage of sports drinks and energy drinks at least once a week, by gender and age, 2025
    • More frequent usage among those with ‘healthy’ finances
    • Graph 18: usage at least once a week of sports drinks and energy drinks, by financial situation and employmeny, 2025
    • Occasions for drinking sports and energy drinks
    • Desk work and study are most common sports drinks occasions…
    • Graph 19: when sports drinks are drunk, 2023-25
    • …and top occasions for energy drinks
    • Graph 20: when energy drinks are drunk, 2023-24
    • Room for sports drinks to further tap hydration’s links with supporting cognitive performance
    • Partner with yoga studios and wellness clubs to tap growth in flexibility workouts
    • Look to on-pack promotions and ingredient choice to drive relevance
    • Low-impact exercise rarely features in sports drink messaging
    • Graph 21: types of exercise typically done, by age, 2024
    • Reasons for not drinking sports and energy drinks
    • Most non-users feel they don’t need sports or energy drinks
    • Not needing sports or energy drinks is top barrier to usage
    • Graph 22: reasons for not drinking sports drinks in the last three months, 2021 and 2025
    • Graph 23: reasons for not drinking energy drinks in the last three months, 2021 and 2025
    • Hero water to connect with non-users on hydration
    • …and drive refreshment connotations
    • Dilutable versions of sports drinks well-placed to tap everyday hydration/refreshment needs
    • Humantra water enhancers exemplify everyday dehydration cues in messaging
    • Hydration focus in other soft drinks categories stands to drive perceived relevance of the benefit beyond exercise
    • Preferred caffeine content in energy drinks
    • Lower-caffeine energy drinks hold untapped potential
    • Caffeine moderation extends to energy drinks
    • Graph 24: preferred caffeine content in energy drinks, by all adults and energy drinks users, 2025
    • Lower-caffeine energy drinks spark wide interest
    • Low-caffeine claims and tangible comparisons warrant visibility on pack
    • Behaviours related to sports and energy drinks
    • Flavour NPD remains crucial, fuelling switching between brands
    • New flavours fuel switching between brands
    • Graph 25: behaviours related to sports and energy drinks, 2025
    • Flavour NPD is a must
    • Fruit flavours lead among emerging and novel sports and energy drink flavours
    • Graph 26: flavour landscape for sports and energy drinks, 2025
    • Limited editions remain a key means to drive interest
    • Less sweet options appeal in sports and energy drinks
    • Look beyond citrus and highlight drinks being less sweet
    • Less sweet drinks can address concerns over sugar and sweeteners
    • Attitudes related to sports and energy drinks
    • Energy drinks face a poor image of social acceptability
    • Graph 27: attitudes towards sports and energy drinks, 2025
    • Alcohol moderation holds potential for energy drinks
    • For key younger age groups, refreshment and fun are crucial for drinks in pub/bar settings
    • Graph 28: qualities sought in drinks when socialising in a pub/bar, by age, 2025
    • Link energy drinks to positive emotions to encourage usage as an alcohol substitute
    • Sleek packaging design can bolster energy drinks’ appeal as alcohol alternatives
    • Flavours, packaging and benefits hold scope for emulating alcohol
    • Concept ideas for energy drinks with sleek design suited to the night out occasion
  4. INNOVATION AND MARKETING TRENDS

    • Launch activity and innovation
    • Sugar-free claims gain ground in launches
    • Graph 29: share of new launches in sports and energy drinks with low/no/reduced sugar claims, 2016-25
    • Powder formats gain share of sports and energy drink NPD
    • Graph 30: share of launches in sports and energy drinks, by format, 2016-25
    • Applied Nutrition taps familiar Vimto flavour for electrolyte tablet launch
    • Tie-ups with athletes and influencers continue to feature in NPD
    • Fruit flavours continue to lead new launches
    • Graph 31: top flavour components in sports and energy drink launches, 2016-25
    • New fruits and treat flavours feature in launches
    • Leading energy drink brands continue to launch new flavours
    • Advertising and marketing activity
    • Red Bull and PepsiCo continue to dominate adspend
    • Graph 32: above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure on sports and energy drinks, by advertisers, 2021-25
    • Outdoor adspend soars in 2024
    • Graph 33: above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure on sports and energy drinks, by media type, 2021-25
    • Celsius launches “Essential Energy” and “What’s Your Vibe?” campaigns in 2025
    • Boost launches “There’s a Boost For That” campaign in 2024
    • Lucozade partners with Jude Bellingham and Anthony Joshua for 2025 launches
    • Lucozade supports Ice Kick variant
    • Liquid I.V. continues sampling campaign through summer 2025
  5. APPENDIX

    • Market forecast data and methodology
    • Market value forecast
    • Market volume forecast
    • Market forecast and prediction intervals (value)
    • Market forecast and prediction intervals (volume)
    • Forecast methodology
    • Market segmentation
    • UK: value and volume sales of sports and energy drinks, by segment, 2023-25
    • Market share
    • UK: retail sales of leading brands in energy drinks, by value, 2023/24-24/25
    • UK: retail sales of leading brands in energy drinks, by volume, 2023/24-24/25
    • UK: retail sales of leading brand owners in energy drinks, by value, 2023/24-24/25
    • UK: retail sales of leading brand owners in energy drinks, by volume, 2023/24-24/25
    • UK: retail sales of leading brands in sports drinks, by value, 2023/24-24/25
    • UK: retail sales of leading brands in sports drinks, by volume, 2023/24-24/25
    • UK: retail sales of leading brand owners in sports drinks, by value, 2023/24-24/25
    • Report scope and definitions
    • Market definition – sports drinks
    • Market definition – energy drinks
    • Abbreviations and terms
    • Consumer research methodology
    • Nielsen Ad Intel coverage

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