Cities are collaborating with start-ups to transform how people access sports and leisure by introducing innovative sharing solutions. This article explores the rise of sports sharing stations, their benefits for urban communities, and the challenges ahead for large-scale adoption.
Imagine a city where residents can access free sports and leisure equipment exactly when and where they need it: ping-pong rackets beside the tables, basketballs on the courts, and skateboards in the parks. This vision is becoming reality with the rise of a new urban innovation: the sport sharing station.
Credit: © Stadt Münster / Oliver Brand
What is a sport sharing station?
A sport sharing station is a self-service smart locker stocked with sports and leisure equipment, designed for short-term use, just enough to enjoy a spontaneous game or workout. These stations can be installed in parks, public spaces, or near sports facilities, making physical activity more accessible, inclusive, and flexible. The concept is simple and familiar: much like bike-sharing, users unlock equipment via a mobile app, use it, and return it when finished. Easy to implement and cost-effective, sport sharing stations typically operate 24/7, offering round-the-clock access to physical activity in the urban environment.
Why do cities need sport sharing stations?
Democratising sport requires more than just building infrastructure; it means ensuring access to the equipment that enables participation. A ping-pong table or basketball court alone isn’t enough; without the necessary gear, opportunities for spontaneous, inclusive play are missed.
Sport sharing stations help bridge this gap by removing key barriers to physical activity in urban areas. They encourage active lifestyles, support social inclusion, and transform public spaces into dynamic hubs of interaction and well-being. The startup BoxUp, who counts 55,000 users across 300 stations, has recently released a study to assess its impact. The findings revealed that 33% of their users had not intended to engage in any sport when they went out, and 65% did not own the equipment they borrowed. Notably, one in three users reported not leading a sporty lifestyle at all. These figures highlight a significant opportunity for cities to promote more accessible, active environments through sport sharing stations.
Credit: BoxUp
Where are we now in the deployment of sharing stations?
Though still a relatively new concept, sport sharing stations are already seeing widespread adoption across Europe, with over 1,175 units currently in operation. Cities like Paris and London are leading the way. Paris alone hosts more than 100 stations, while London has over 40, thanks to collaborations with Equip Sports who operates a unique model with larger cities. As the Deputy Mayor for Sport in Paris recently noted, “Today, Equip Sport in Paris has 48,000 users. It meets a real need for Parisians. This flexibility is an asset in breathing new life into spaces that were sorely lacking it.”
Beyond major capitals, regional and national authorities are beginning to recognise the potential of sport sharing infrastructure. In Switzerland, Ireland, and Germany, financial incentives are helping municipalities roll out these solutions. Notably, the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany offers to cover up to 90% of implementation costs for interested cities.
In another German initiative, the German Olympic Sports Federation has deployed over 150 sport sharing stations with the startup SportBox, a strategic move to boost physical activity and strengthen connections with local sports clubs.
What are the main challenges for the future of sport sharing stations?
With over 1,000 deployments across Europe, sport sharing stations have demonstrated strong appeal and proven their potential. Citizens are engaging with the concept, they like it, and they use it. The next challenge lies in scaling these solutions effectively within urban environments.
Key considerations include determining the optimal number of stations, allocating public space, and designing sustainable financing models, particularly the balance between public funding and private sector involvement. As demand grows, a critical question emerges: will we see major municipal budgets dedicated to the rollout and long-term management of sport sharing infrastructure? And to what extent will we include advertising as a means of financing these services?
These are strategic questions that municipal sports directors and urban planners must now address, as sport sharing moves from pilot phase to mainstream policy consideration.
Writer: François Dubreuil, Sami Angsthelm, Bax Innovation, June 2025
Credit: Equip Sport