Key Figures

3 disciplines:

Athletes:

• 2,000 licensed athletes in 2015
• 706 of these licensed athletes are women
• Athletes represented the 5 continents and 62 countries
• Median age of elite athletes: 19

A large and fast-growing worldwide climbing community:

• 25 million people are climbing regularly
• Based on liability waivers, it’s estimated that between 1,000 and 1,500 people are trying climbing for the first time—every single day, in the U.S. alone (source: http://www.climbing.com/people/the-mentorship-gap-what-climbing-gyms-cant-teach-you/)
• In Austria, the number of members and member clubs in 2008 was respectively 23.170 members in 141 clubs. In 2016, it has grown to 64.140 members in 176 member clubs (source: OEWK)
• In England, the number of young people taking part in the BMC Youth Climbing Series has risen by 50% in the last five years (source: Active People Survey 9 October 2014 – September 2015)
• In the last 10 years, since its foundation, the number of IFSC Member Federations has increased by 25% (source: IFSC database on Member Federations)

A sport that generates revenues:

• In China, Climbing Walls in Middle and Primary Schools have increased from 30 in 2012 to 120 in 2015 (source: CMA)
• In Japan, from 2008 to 2015, the number of indoor climbing gyms has grown from 96 to 435 (source: JMA)
• The industry trade organization, the Climbing Wall Association, estimates that more than 60 new climbing-specific facilities will open in the US by 2015 (source: http://www.climbing.com/search?query=the%20Climbing%20Wall%20Association,%20estimates%20that%20more%20than%2060%20new%20climbing-specific%20facilities%20will%20open%20in%20the%20U.S.%20by%202015).

• Popularity in largest cities:  350+ in Paris Ile-de-France (source: FFME)
• Today's number of climbing gyms in Germany: 460+ (source: DAV)

A community with a unique profile:

• Climbers are young (39% under 18) but practice until 60 and older
• Average age of climbers in France: 26 years old in 2015 (source: FFME)
• The share of female climbers is very high (38% vs. usual maximum 31%). And that is not surprising: this sport is not only about strength, but also about body control and athleticism. And it is also a mind game. 
• Share of female climbers in Austria: 48% men, 52% women (source: OEWK)
• Share of female climbers in France in 2015: 59% men, 41% women (source: FFME) vs. usual maximum 31%

Competitions:

• World Championships every second year, odd
• Annual Youth World Championships – Continent rotation
• Annual World Cup Series: maximum 24 events – 8 per discipline
• Continental Events
2016 Calendar:
• 19 IFSC Climbing World Cups
• 1 IFSC Climbing Youth World Championships - Guangzhou (China)
• 1 IFSC Climbing World Championships - Paris (France)
• All these events are live webcast on the IFSC YouTube channel
• View all the 2016 events on the calendar

World Championships 2016, Paris

• 533 registered Athletes for the IFSC World Championships
• 77 registered Athletes for the IFSC Paraclimbing World Championships
• 53 registered countries from all 5 continents for the World Championships
• 20 registered countries for the Paraclimbing World Championships
• 20,000 spectators
• 140 volunteers
• 146 accredited media
• 147,334 Live streaming views
• +500,000 total video views

World Championships 2014, Munich & Gijón:

• 23,500 spectators
• 432 athletes for the IFSC World Championships
• 77 athletes for IFSC the Paraclimbing World Championships
• 52 registered countries from all 5 continents for the IFSC World Championships
• 19 registered countries for the IFSC Paraclimbing World Championships
• 184 volunteers

Youth World Championships 2015, Arco:

• First IFSC YWCH with all 3 disciplines
• 1166 registered Athletes for the IFSC Youth World Championships in all disciplines
• 51 participating countries from the 5 continents