# Sports Bubble Sports leagues are resuming in 'bubbles' to adhere to precautionary standards. By [Amy Duong](https://www.trendhunter.com/amyduong), Trend and Research Writer | Published Jul 14, 2020 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sports-bubble ## Key Figures - Trend score: 1.5/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Sports Bubble trend? **Sports Bubble:** The COVID-19 pandemic caused many major sports leagues to pause their season in order to ensure players’ safety. As regulations become slowly lifted, leagues are resuming in "bubbles" that are monitored by strict protocols for the health and safety of everyone involved. ## The consumer insight behind the Sports Bubble trend Consumers are still somewhat restricted in their entertainment options when it comes to outdoor recreation, so they're still turning to digital content to fulfill their entertainment needs. The expectation that brands offer them this entertainment comes from consumers wanting to maintain a sense of normalcy and pass the time, particularly as uncertainty around the future of recreation lingers. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: May 28 to Jul 15, 2020 - Published: Jul 14, 2020 - Patterns: [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Many to Many](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/many-to-many) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Sports Bubble trend ### Sports Bubble As major sports leagues slowly resume play, strict safety protocols are being implemented to ensure the health and safety of all involved. ### Digital Entertainment Consumers are turning to digital content to fulfill their entertainment needs while outdoor recreation options are still restricted due to COVID-19. ### Health and Safety Protocols Strict protocols and guidelines are being put in place by sports leagues to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. ## What the Sports Bubble trend means for industry ### For Sports The sports industry must adapt to new protocols and safety measures to continue operating successfully during the pandemic. ### For Entertainment The entertainment industry can capitalize on the increased demand for digital content as consumers seek out entertainment options in the safety of their homes. ### For Healthcare The healthcare industry can partner with sports leagues to provide testing and medical services to ensure the health and safety of athletes and support staff. ## Workshop question What are some ways your brand can adapt to not being able to provide its regular product or services? ## Trend signals for Sports Bubble Trend score 1.5 out of 10, from popularity 20%, activity 15%, freshness 9%. - Popularity: 20% - Activity: 15% - Freshness: 9% ## Examples of the Sports Bubble trend 4 featured examples from May 28 to Jul 15, 2020. - [Women's Basketball League Bubbles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/img-academy): WNBA Resumes Its Season at the IMG Academy (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Bubble environments and remote sports training programs present disruptive innovation opportunities within the sports industry to ensure athlete safety and maintain business conti… - [Isolated Soccer League Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mls-bubble): The MLS Bubble Hosts Teams and Takes Place in Orlando, Florida (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The need for stringent health and safety measures in sports events creates opportunities for innovative technologies such as contactless entry systems, real-time health monitoring… - [Isolated Hockey League Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nhl-bubble): The NHL Bubble Ensures that the Primary Focus is Healthy and Safety (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The sports industry can benefit from the NHL's Return to Play protocols, the biosecurity technology used for the creation of NHL Bubble and, the livestreaming and media management… - [Professional Basketball League Resumption](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nba-season): This Year's NBA Season is Set to Resume in Orlando (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Innovations in event planning and execution that focus on health and safety protocols for professional sports events. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Multi-Benefit Protein Shakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comes-in-three-flavors) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)