As with every year around this time, the July 2017 sports trends tend to be centered around either general forms of fitness or baseball. America's pastime is the only pro sport with active games during the summer months, and so fans have the opportunity to bask in the quiet intensity and months-long grind played on diamonds across the continent.
The MLB recognizes its de facto summer sports monopoly, and the organization is making a push to engage as many fans as possible on as many media as are available. One such effort is in virtual reality: over the course of the 2017 season, the MLB will be releasing 20 specially produced VR videos from key games and events. Players can enjoy the benefits of baseball's summer reign as well, as New Balance's NB Power Hitter Challenge makes use of Zepp's swing- and player-tracking technology to turn batting practice into a gamified competition.
Top 40 Sports Trends in July
40
Streamlined Gliding Paddleboards
The Finpo Waterglider Uses a Built-in Propulsion System to Move
39
Millennial Sportswear Collaborations
The 'KITH x adidas Soccer' Collection is Performance-Inspired
38
Dollar Store Derby Activations
The Poundland Brand Activation Was Hosted at the Epsom Derby
37
Converted Firetruck Homes
This Home on Wheels Was Made from a 1953 GMC firetruck
36
Forearm Hydration Gear
The 'Wetsleeve' Wearable Hydration Bag Keeps Water Nearby
35
Aquatic Resistance Training Equipment
The 'Hydra' Resistance Trainer Increases Capabilities
34
Vivid Co-Branded Basketball Courts
Nike and Pigalle Designed a Stunning Geometric Basketball Court
33
Vibrating Smart Leggings
These Leggings by Wearable X Vibrate to Correct Yoga Poses
32
Inflammation-Eliminating Sleeves
The Mava Sports Knee Compression Sleeve Relieves Stiffness
31
iOS-Connected Mini Gyms
The 'Circ-It' Enables a Circuit Workout with a Compact Set of Equipment
30
Illuminating Cycling Helmets
Lumos' Smart Tech Helmet Ensures Visibility on the Road
29
Responsive Bike Helmets
The Classon Helmet Will Inform the Wearer If They're in a Car's Blind Spot
28
Ankle-Supporting Basketball Shoes
The Under Armour Curry 4 Features a Sock-Like Collar
27
Magnetic Smartphone-Tethering Armbands
The 'FitConnect' Smartphone Fitness Armband is Secure
26
Fitness-Focused Cruises
Blue World Offers Health-Minded Individuals Relaxing and Rewarding Trips
25
Carb-Heavy Sports Drinks
The Maurten Drink Mix 320 Packs Ample Carbs in Each Serving
24
Anti-Roll Life Rafts
Creature Craft Life Rafts Add an Extra Element of Protection and Stability
23
Swing-Analyzing Golf Smartwatches
The Garmin Approach S60 Smartwatch is Stylish and Advanced
22
Sport Board Activity Trackers
The 'Trace' Action Sports Tracker Mounts Directly onto Boards
21
Robotic Running Exosuits
This Assistive Running Suit Promises to Boost One's Stride
20
Folded Museum Facades
The New US Olympic Museum Has Just Broken Ground
19
Adjustable Feminine Dumbbells
These Female-Focused Dumbbells Add Weights with a Simple Click
18
Gamified Batting Practices
New Balance's NB Power Hitter Challenge Gamifies The Zepp Training App
17
Mass Card Stunt Apps
IBM Has Launched an App That Lets Crowds Project Their Signs With a Tap
16
Festival-Ready Workouts
StubHub and Beachbody Created a Workout to Get People Music Festival-Ready
15
Rose-Embroidered Skate Shoes
The Matchcourt Slip X Na-kel Smith Can Be Worn On and Off Your Board
14
VR Baseball Videos
Samsung and the MLB Will Release 20 VR Videos During the 2017 Season
13
Muscle-Controlling Devices
'Wired Muscle' Lets Someone Else Control Your Muscles
12
Collaborative Exercise Apps
The Racefully Running App Lets You Digitally Exercise with Friends
11
Anti-Homophobia Soccer Jerseys
The US Soccer Teams' New Jerseys Celebrate Pride Month 2017
10
Celebrity-Sponsored Soccer Stadia
The Miami Beckham United Stadium is Funded by the British Star
9
Storytelling Branded Bandages
The Nike 'Badge of Honor' Bandages Encourage Kids to 'Get Back Up'
8
Animated Water Advertisements
This Ad for G Active by Gatorade Shows Off Water That Moves
7
Smart Cricket Bats
Intel is Introducing VR, Drones and Bat Sensors to Cricket
6
Extreme Parkour Courses
The Skyladder is the World's Largest Parkour Course
5
Eco Riptide Detectors
The Clever GIRL Buoy Alerts Surfers to the Presence of Deadly Rip Currents
4
Team-Oriented Obstacle Courses
The 'Tough Mann' Event Helps Build Teamwork and Mental Toughness
3
Social Memorabilia Campaigns
The NRL's 'Instabilia' Rewarded Fans with Instant Sports Memorabilia
2
Supercomputer Sports Video Curators
IBM Watson Identifies 'Cognitive Highlights'
1
Sporty Pride Month Campaigns
AEG's #BetterAsOne Campaign Celebrates Inclusivity in Sports
Related Ideas
Playful Sport-Centric Partnerships
NIKE x LEGO Group Announced a Multi-Year Partnership
Tractor Branded Partnerships
John Deere Partners with MLB as the Official Tractor Sponsor
Tennis-Themed Activations
The LALO Clubhouse Serves Up Tennis and Tequila at Thompson Central Park
Summer Soda Brand Campaigns
Sprite 'Turns Up the Refreshment' With its Immersive Campaign
Sporty Retail Style Capsules
Kith x New York Yankees Collab Launches with Jason Alexander
Glamorous Sports Collabs
Glamnetic x Fanatics Collection Brings Game-Day Energy to Your Fingertips
Anime Sports Apparel
My Hero Academia x NBA Capsule Merges Anime Fandom with Basketball Culture
Spacefaring VR Adventure Games
'Star Wars: Beyond Victory' is Coming Soon to VR Headsets
Cross-Network Playoff Promotions
NHL and Multiple Broadcasters Launch a Playoff Marketing Campaign
AI-Driven Sports Training Systems
LUMISTAR Presented TERO for Tennis & CARRY for Basketball at CES
Interactive Motorsport-Inspired Gaming Experiences
EB Games Boasts Mario Kart World in Montreal
Collaborative Toy Video Games
Hot Wheels Victory Lap is a Dave & Buster's Exclusive
Tennis Tournament Capsule Collections
The Lululemon Indian Wells Apparel Range is Athlete-Approved
Drone Home Touring Tools
Zillow Unveils a New Tool That Makes Property Buying Seamless
Sleek Trophy Designs
Michelob ULTRA Unveils the FIFA World Cup 2026™ MVP Trophy
Inaugural Toy-Inspired Tournaments
BEYBLADE X Franchise is Expanding with BEYBLADE Day
Athlete-Inspired LEGO Sets
LEGO Launches Collectible Football Sets with Messi and Ronaldo
Phygital Baseball Board Games
Base on Board 2.0 Keeps Gameplay Dynamic with E-Ink Dice
Thematic Basketball Experiences
Nike x LEGO Play Arena Returns to LEGOLAND California
Heritage Baseball Caps
Polo Ralph Lauren × New Era Release Yankees Cap Collection
Fandom Culture Retail Experiences
EB Games x Vibrant Marketing Launch an 'EB Trends' Store Concept
American Football-Focused Venue Initiatives
Topgolf Ligns Itself with the American Football Season
Branded Apparel Vodka Campaigns
Smirnoff Partners with Aleali May for We Do Game Days
National Team Kit Collections
Nike Unveils 2026 U.S. Soccer Kits
Festival Vodka Brand Activations
Absolut Launched Its Heat Haus & New RTD Line at Coachella 2026
Rural Running Vacations
Airbnb and Strava are Motivating Gen Z to Book Run-Cations
Cinematic Campaign Posters
Nike 2026 World Cup posters frame national teams through film-styles
Humanoid Robot Games
The Great Robot Olympics Reveals Both Promise and Prose in Ai Evolution
Luxe Soccer-Inspired Stays
Four Seasons Toronto Unveiled Experiences for FIFA 2026
Collaborative MLB-Inspired Headwear
Bryce Harper Fronts The ’47 x Carhartt MLB Hat Collab
Commemorative Baseball Hats
New Era Cap Company Pays Homage to the Los Angeles Dodgers
Playful Tomato Athletes
The Heinz National Games Campaign Turns Tomato Stems into Sports Figures
Athlete Grooming Campaigns
Head & Shoulders Partners with MLS to Launch Soccer-Focused Campaign
Anime-Themed Sports Merch
The One Piece x NBA Crossover Adds Basketball-Themed Collectibles
AI-Driven Sports Startups
IBM Launches Its Sports Tech Startup Challenge
Beer Relaunches
Real American Beer Unveils a Refreshed Identity and Partnerships
Performance Tracking Sport Watches
PickleWatch Delivers Match Analytics & Real-Time Play Insights
Streetwear Sports Capsule
The Brigade x New York Giants Line Merges Heritage & Football Culture
Spring-Time Baseball-Inspired Hats
New Era Cap Has Unveiled Its MLB Spring 2026 Lineup
Retro Team Beer Cans
Budweiser MLB Team Cans Feature Vintage Baseball Graphics for Anniversary
Drop-Culture Sport Campaigns
Easton and Dick's Launched Its Limited Edition Equipment Drop
Style-Minded Workout Equipment
The Nike Strength VOLT Collection Support Training Performance
Multi-Year Footwear Partnerships
Nike and LEGO Team Up for a New Kid-Centric Collaboration
LED Basketball Courts
The Big 12 Introduced an ASB GlassFloor LED Video Court for Tournament Play
Baseball Classic Cap Collections
New Era Debuts Its 2026 World Baseball Classic Collection
Mobile-First Athlete Training Platforms
Ember Sports' Tech Trains Baseball & Softball Players
Baseball-Inspired Manhole Covers
MLB Honors Japanese Stars with Custom-Designed Manhole Covers
Regular Exercise-Encouraging Brand Initiatives
Red Bull Debuts Zero Missed Workouts Via Strava
Heritage Baseball Caps
Polo Ralph Lauren Works with MLB and New Era on an RC 9FIFTY Cap Collection
Athlete-Backed Beverage Campaigns
PepsiCo and NFL Players Debut 'Tailgate Crashers'
Reimagined Football Apparel
Off Season x NFL Unveil the 'NFL Ready-To-Wear' Collection
Padel Business-Focused Expansions
Racquet 360 Announced a Substantial Investment for Its Business
Cable-Knitted Baseball Jerseys
Father Figure Introduces a New Set of Knitted Sporty Jerseys
Interactive Superhero-Branded Golf Experiences
Topgolf Taps 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps'
Soccer-Themed Snack Branding
These Mondelēz Products Get Fans Ready for the World Cup 2026
Sports-Themed Grooming Tools
Gillette and the NFL Launch GilletteLabs Official NFL Licensed Razors
Retro Sports Drink Revivals
Gatorade partners with Stranger Things to relaunch its 1987 campaign
Pop-Up Reality TV Bars
Samsung Electronics' Verkligheten is a Destination for Reality TV Fans
Basketball Film-Inspired Pizza Campaigns
Pizza Hut Debuts Space Jam-Inspired Menu Bundle & Recipes
Flavorful Official Baseball Beverages
Mountain Dew's Baja Blast is the Official Drink of MLB
Roblox Popularity Trackers
Rotrends Shows What’s Popular on Roblox and Why
Soccer-Inspired RV Platform Initiatives
RV Rental Platform Outdoorsy Targets Soccer Fans
Sports Branding-Inspired Cannabis Products
Sluggers Embraces Sports Fandom and Collecting
Localized Game-Day Food Activations
Martha Stewart Joins Pepsi’s Bay Area Local Eats
Legendary Baseball Player T-Shirts
HOMAGE Commemorates Mickey Mantle with a Legendary Tee
Winter Sports Event-Inspired Hats
New Era Cap Honors the US Team at the Olympics with a New Line
Baseball Lifestyle Collaborations
Brunch Launches a New York Yankees Lifestyle Collection
Branded In-House Content Studios
Dick's Sporting Goods Showcases Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios
Immersive Floral Tributes
ESPN Honors the 2025 NBA Finals with Mr. Flower Fantastic
Premium Team-Specific Apparel
GAME 7 Apparel Features Streetwear Aesthetics
Upgraded Streaming Platforms
NESN Unveiled a Significant Upgrade to NESN 360 Streaming Platform
Sportstyle Apparel Capsule
Mizuno Sportstyle Announces Its Inaugural SS26 Apparel Line
Early-Stage Global Innovation Competitions
Red Bull Basement 2026 is Accepting Applications
AI Sports Platforms
Machina Sports Turns Real-Time Sports Data Into Engaging Fan Experiences
Canadian Fan-Based Campaigns
Molson Launches its 'Performance Enhancing Canadians' Initiative
K-Pop Collaboration Caps
BLACKPINK x MLB x New Era Collection Introduces Team-Branded Designs
Football-Focused Venue Marketing Campaigns
Dave & Buster's Delivers on Social Atmosphere & Dining
Inclusive Football Content Partnerships
NFL and The GIST are Engaging Millennial & Gen Z Women
Striking Baseball Capsules
Under Armour Unveiled its 'King of Diamonds Baseball Collection'
Web3-Enabled Sports Games
Mythical Games Debuted 'FIFA Rivals' on Mobile Devices
Dedicated Rehydration Days
Liquid I.V. Helps Post-Game Recovery with National Rehydration Day
Film-Inspired In-App Golf Challenges
Spotify x Happy Gilmore 2 Present a Unique Mobile Game
Limited-Edition Beer Campaigns
San Miguel launches a Limited-Edition Beer Campaign for Summer
Athlete Signature Apparel
Shohei Ohtani x New Balance SS26 Collection Drops Performance Wear
athlete development-focused partnerships
TrainingPeaks continues partnership with USA Cycling
Men's Healthcare Campaigns
Rocky Health Joins Forces with the Toronto Blue Jays
Cycling Esports Partnerships
Trainingpeaks Will Platform USA Cycling's Esports Competitions
Athlete Arrival Fashion Activations
ATP Introduces Athlete Arrivals to Spotlight Players Style
Football Series Capsules
Balenciaga's Football Series Adapts American-Football Elements to Fashion
Collectible Baseball Figurines
Ghostwrite x MLB Game Face Taps into the Blind Box Craze
Sporting Event-Focused Experiences
Dave & Buster's Spotlights the Big Game Ticketed Experience
Iconic Soccer-Themed Jackets
Truly HardSeltzer and Jeff Hamilton Link Up for a Soccer Jacket
Sporty Heritage Leisurewear
’47 x Sporty & Rich New York Yankees Boasts Classic Minimalism
Hybrid Athletic Events
Life Time Announced the Introduction of a New Athletic Event — the LT Games
Sports-Connected Brand Loyalty Initiatives
Lobos 1707 Activates a Buzzer Beater Fan Reward Program
Paralympic Dual-Focused Promotional Campaigns
The Canadian Paralympic Committee Gains Visibility
AI Sports Viewing Companions
Pizza Hut Debuted 'Hutty,' an AI Companion for March Madness
Athlete-Branded Outdoor Appliances
Ninja Launched a New Campaign For Upgraded Backyard Cooking
Trailblazing Golf Events
Starter Collaborates with 2025 Original Tee Golf Classic
Fan-Centered Soccer Sweepstakes
Modelo Launches ‘Grita Gol’ Sweepstakes
Celebratory VR Promotions
Zero Latency VR is an Expert in Free-Roam Virtual Reality Entertainment
Free Baseball Pizza Promotions
Pizza Pizza Offers Free Cheese Pizzas Across Canada on November 3
Hot Dog-Themed Baseball Fan Merch
Schneiders Launched Merch in Honor of Canadian Baseball Fans
Interactive Soccer Viewing Experience
PubNub Partners with DAZN for FIFA Club World Cup 2025™
Interactive Fitness Competition Activations
HYROX Partners with the Legendz Social Sportsbook
Limited-Edition Football-Inspired Lifestyle Capsules
Aviator Nation Pays Homage to Super Bowl LX
MLB Star-Backed Protective Gear
BRUCE BOLT and Fernando Tatis Jr. Debut a Batting Glove and Gear
Multi-Faceted Virtual Competitions
Pitpat's Global Online 10K Challenge Targets Runners Worldwide
Entertainment Venue Loyalty Platforms
Dave & Buster's Debuts 'What the Fun' Platform
Youth Sports Commerce Platforms
Perfect Game Selected Vivenu to Unify Its Commerce Operations
AI Baseball Player Avatars
Genies And MLB Players Inc. Launch AI Companion Roster
Arcade Leaderboard Initiatives
Dave & Buster's Introduces a Nationwide Leaderboard Initiative
Generational Wellness Campaigns
Sports Research Evolved Its Marketing into a Cultural Movement
World Cup Travel Packages
Raffles Boston Offers a Luxury World Cup Stay with Helicopter Transfers
Cryptocurrency-Tied Sports Games
'Sparkball' is a High-Octane Web3 Multiplayer Title
Consumer Brand Launches
Labor Smart Announced Culturally-Driven Product Collaborations
Live Sports Jackpots
Budweiser Launched a Real-Time NHL Goal-Tracking Jackpot in Quebec
Collaborative On-Field Baseball Caps
New Era and Adidas Support NCAA Baseball Programs
Sporty Collaborative Fashion Capsules
Born X Raised Launches a Collaborative Sports Range
Cultural Sports Collaboration
The Weeknd and Toronto Blue Jays Unite for a World Series Collection
Professional Tennis Roster Programs
Wilson Sporting Goods Welcomes Alex De Minaur in Tennis 360
Game-Changing Sports Fan Experiences
Telstra Touch and Track Technology Debuts at Marvel Stadium
Stadium Stay Experiences
Marriott Bonvoy Introduces a World Cup Final Sleepover Suite for Fans
Whimsical Soccer-Themed Illustrations
Visa Commissions Art in Connection to FIFA World Cup
Web-Based VR Games
Slice of Music Delivers an Interactive Rhythm Game for Apple Vision Pro
Adventurous Summertime Retailer Promotions
The Maverik Summer Deals Prioritize Cost Savings
Rugged Sports Lifestyle-Inspired Capsules
Carhartt Partners with '47 a Collection for Sports Fans
Co-Branded Pilot Basketball Programs
Shoot 360 and LA Fitness are Enhancing Basketball Courts
Sports-Focused Diversity Initiatives
FC Barcelona Celebrates European Diversity Month
Sports Video Tools
Highlight Factory Uses AI To Turn Games Into Shareable Highlights
Baseball-Inspired Bag Designs
BOSTANTEN Has Introduced a New Baseball Crossbody Bag Collection
Engaging E-Soccer Video Games
Betby Announced Two New Soccer Titles for its Portfolio
Baseball Player-Focused Athletic Partnerships
BRUCE BOLT Joins Forces with Fernando Tatis Jr.
Stadium Fan Festivals
FIFA Turns the LA Coliseum into a Multi-Day Fan Experience Hub
Sports Highlights Platforms
Snack Sports Delivers Curated Highlights Without Social Media Pressure
Energetic Gel Drink Events
Chargel Announced its 'June Athletic Race Station Lineup'
Game Day Pizza Promotions
Mountain Mike’s Pizza Triple Play Bundle Celebrates Baseball Season
Professional Golfer-Led Event Series
Topgolf is Partnering with Professional Golfer John Daly
Community-Focused Football Games
'Maximum Football' is a New Live-Service Sports Title for Fans
Summer Barbecue-Themed Burger Menus
The Smashburger Summer of Smash Menu Features New Classics