Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi underscore how the explosive growth of women’s sports is driving innovation in 3D printing and unlocking new opportunities for performance, safety, and R&D incentives.
Women’s sports are gaining unprecedented traction worldwide, as highlighted in Deloitte’s 2025 report on the sector’s rising influence.
In 2024, due in part to Caitlin Clark, the Women’s NCAA tournament outdrew the Men’s championship game in both viewership and attendance. The women’s championship game, between South Carolina and Iowa, drew 18.7 million viewers, while the men’s final averaged 14.82 million. In 2025, the University of Connecticut regained the Women’s Title (for the twelfth time) led by Paige Bueckers. Bueckers is expected to be the number one player for 2025 in the WNBA.
According to the report, global interest in women’s sports has surged significantly, with major sporting events like the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup reaching record viewership. In February 2024, an astounding 103 million viewers watched the second season of India’s Women’s Premier League.
Deloitte predicts that the commercial value of women’s sports will exceed US$1 billion globally by 2025, driven by increased sponsorship deals, broadcasting rights, and growing fan engagement.
Key data points from Deloitte’s report underscore this growth:
- Viewership Trends: The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup drew over 2 billion viewers worldwide, breaking previous records.
- Sponsorship Growth: Women’s professional soccer leagues have seen a 20% increase in sponsorship revenue year-over-year.
- Participation Rates: Participation in sports like cricket, soccer, and basketball among young women has risen by 15% in the past three years.
This rapid expansion creates new opportunities for innovation in sports equipment, apparel, and training tools. 3D printing is emerging as a transformative technology to meet these evolving demands.
Leveraging 3D Printing in Women’s Sports Equipment
3D printing technology has already revolutionized various industries, and its influence in sports is growing rapidly. The ability to customize equipment, improve performance, and reduce production costs makes 3D printing particularly advantageous for sports.
In cricket, for example, 3D printed protective gear offers improved fit and flexibility. Companies are designing customized helmets with optimized impact resistance tailored to individual players. For instance, UK-based company HexR has introduced 3D printed helmet liners that enhance shock absorption and ensure comfort for professional and amateur cricketers alike.
Similarly, in soccer, 3D printed cleat designs are providing athletes with superior traction and support. Advanced lattice structures, impossible to create with traditional manufacturing methods, are being integrated into soccer shoe soles to improve stability on different playing surfaces. This innovation is particularly impactful in women’s soccer, where injury prevention is a growing focus due to differences in biomechanics compared to male athletes.
Golf has become increasingly popular amongst women. Golf clubs can be customized to each golfer’s unique needs, physical weaknesses and strengths with help from 3D printing. We have covered how the 3D printing industry has been a part of golf for some time now, previously on Fabbaloo.
Sports Brands Embracing 3D Printing Technology
Leading sportswear brands are investing heavily in 3D printing to enhance performance gear and improve manufacturing efficiency. Here are four recent examples of brands utilizing 3D printing for innovative sports products:
- Adidas 4D Run 1.0: Adidas leveraged 3D printing to develop its “4D Run 1.0” sneaker, which features a unique lattice midsole. This structure provides tailored cushioning and energy return, improving comfort for athletes in track and field, soccer, and casual wear.
- Nike Flyprint: Nike employed 3D printing to create the “Flyprint” upper material for elite running shoes. This process allows for precision fabric layering, reducing weight while improving breathability and durability. Elite marathon runners, including Eliud Kipchoge, have worn Flyprint shoes in record-breaking performances.
- Puma’s Biomimicry Cleats: Puma introduced cleats with 3D printed spikes inspired by animal paw structures. This design enhances grip and maneuverability, giving soccer players greater control during dynamic movements.
- Under Armour’s 3D Printed Insoles: Under Armour offers custom 3D printed insoles designed for various sports, including basketball and tennis. These insoles are tailored to each athlete’s foot structure, improving balance, shock absorption, and overall comfort.
The Future of 3D Printing in Women’s Sports
As women’s sports continue to expand globally, the integration of 3D printing is set to play a vital role in enhancing performance, safety, and product accessibility. From custom-designed gear to optimized apparel, additive manufacturing empowers companies to innovate rapidly and meet the specific needs of female athletes.
The future may see 3D printing contribute to:
- Customized Protective Gear: Helmets, shin guards, and gloves tailored to each athlete’s body structure.
- Enhanced Sports Bras and Compression Wear: Using 3D printed textiles to provide support without compromising mobility. We have covered athleisure previously on Fabbaloo.
- Prosthetics for Adaptive Sports: Personalized prosthetic limbs optimized for high-performance athletes in the Paralympic community.
The design of women’s athleisure wear involves testing materials to determine the proper dimensions for optimal wear. For instance, the materials and design must be so that women can comfortably wear the athleisure for sports and that their clothing will support their movements and even perspiration in ways customized to their bodies. The properties for men’s athleisure will differ accordingly. This involves iterative testing and textile research and development (R&D).
The Research & Development Tax Credit
The now permanent Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit is available for companies developing new or improved products, processes and/or software.
3D printing can help boost a company’s R&D Tax Credits. Wages for technical employees creating, testing and revising 3D printed prototypes are typically eligible expenses toward the R&D Tax Credit. Similarly, when used as a method of improving a process, time spent integrating 3D printing hardware and software can also be an eligible R&D expense. Lastly, when used for modeling and preproduction, the costs of filaments consumed during the development process may also be recovered.
Whether it is used for creating and testing prototypes or for final production, 3D printing is a great indicator that R&D Credit-eligible activities are taking place. Companies implementing this technology at any point should consider taking advantage of R&D Tax Credits.
Conclusion
By combining insights from Deloitte’s comprehensive research on women’s sports with emerging 3D printing trends, the sports industry is poised to embrace a future of enhanced performance, reduced injury rates, and improved inclusivity for female athletes worldwide.
