Sports in 2026 are evolving faster than ever, and Greater Raleigh is helping lead the way. From the momentum behind women’s athletics to the rise of adaptive and tech‑powered experiences, Raleigh, N.C., continues to innovate, invest and inspire. Here are four sports trends poised to shape the year ahead.
 

Adaptive sports on the rise

Adaptive sports are gaining momentum nationwide, and Greater Raleigh is emerging as a leader in expanding opportunities for athletes of all abilities. Recent events like the Southeast Regional Boccia Tournament at the Raleigh Convention Center highlight this growth, alongside rising interest in wheelchair basketball and other inclusive programs.

Tennis is a standout area of progress. Cary Tennis Park has become a hub for adaptive and inclusive play through partnerships with statewide organizations and professional tennis. Abilities Tennis Association of N.C. (ATANC)—a Raleigh‑originated 501(c)(3) founded in 2007—now operates more than 300 free events across 32 cities in N.C., impacting over 1,000 athletes and supported by 6,000+ volunteer and coach hours annually. Since 2015, U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) Southern, Cary Tennis Park and ATANC have hosted an annual Abilities Tennis Night during the Cary Tennis Classic professional tournament.  This community event features a free clinic, complimentary tickets and a pre‑match Stadium Court Exhibition to showcase Abilities athletes, competing with a chair umpire, crew of ballkids and players’ names highlighted on the Stadium scoreboard.

Additional programs continue to broaden access and make tennis even more inclusive. Wheel Serve NC offers wheelchair tennis clinics at multiple sites in N.C., including integrated “Up and Down” play for wheelchair and able‑bodied athletes. Blind and visually impaired tennis is also growing, using modified balls that emit more sound and allowing additional bounces with modified courts to adapt the game.

“Adaptive and inclusive sports are huge in many countries, and we’re excited to bring that energy to the Raleigh area," says Ted Reese, president and CEO of USTA Southern. "We are excited to demonstrate that tennis is for available all populations. Since 2020 there’s been a renewed focus on health and wellness, and studies show that tennis adds nearly 10 years to your life! Our goal is to make these opportunities accessible to all athletes, reinforcing that tennis is truly the lifetime sport for everyone.”
 

Women’s sports momentum

Women’s sports are experiencing unprecedented growth, with record-breaking viewership, sponsorship deals and grassroots participation shaping the future of athletics. This trend is evident in Greater Raleigh, where the North Carolina Courage—the Raleigh area's professional women’s soccer team—had a historic 2025 season, selling over 107,000 tickets at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary.

The momentum doesn’t stop there. The Soccer Tournament added a women’s league to its popular 7v7 format in 2025, underscoring the demand for more opportunities for women on the field. Looking ahead, mark your calendar for two major events: the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship (Nov. 2026) and the ACC Women’s Rowing Championship (May 15-16, 2026). These competitions promise to showcase elite talent and continue driving the surge in women’s sports.
 

Growth of paddle sports

Paddle sports continue to surge in popularity nationwide, and Greater Raleigh is riding that wave with expanding facilities and highly anticipated events. Pickleball remains a standout, with the BODYARMOR State Games of N.C.: Winter Games featuring a dedicated pickleball competition March 12-15, 2026, at Pin Point Indoor Pickleball & Golf, reflecting the sport’s strong and growing local community.

Cary Tennis Park will also host back‑to‑back collegiate championships in April, welcoming both the ACC Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships (April 14-19, 2026) and the MEAC Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships (April 23-25, 2026), further solidifying the area’s status as a racquet and paddle sports hub.

For more information on where to play pickleball in Raleigh, N.C., click here.
 

Tech-enhanced fan engagement

Technology is transforming how fans experience sports, and Greater Raleigh is at the forefront of this shift. Esports events have become one of the region’s biggest tech‑driven engagement successes. Major tournaments like ESL One Raleigh have attracted thousands of global fans, with competitions streamed live on Twitch and YouTube, offering immersive access to viewers worldwide. Earlier events set an even higher benchmark: the Six Major Raleigh generated more than 16 million livestream views globally, demonstrating the scale and reach Raleigh‑hosted esports can achieve through digital fan engagement platforms.

Raleigh, N.C., is also enhancing fan experiences through mobile technology designed to connect residents, visitors and athletes with the area's outdoor and recreational amenities. The new Wake County map on the Wander App—launched in partnership with Visit Raleigh and the Triangle Trails Initiative—offers an integrated, mobile‑friendly mapping platform featuring over 300 miles of greenways and trails and 138,000 acres of open space. It connects trails to attractions, restaurants, breweries and more, highlighting the strength, accessibility and connectivity of the destination's trail systems. Learn more about Wander, here.
 

The Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance (GRSA) is always pleased to assist you with questions and requests related to sports event planning in Greater Raleigh. Contact Jason Philbeck, STS, GRSA associate director, if you are interested in hosting your next event in Raleigh, N.C., named Best Sports Host City by SportsTravel Magazine!