Summer is coming, and Frisbee sports have become a new trend. A reporter from China Business Daily learned that this sport is quick to get started and has a low threshold, which has attracted more and more people to participate. At the same time, Frisbee equipment sellers and Frisbee clubs also sensed business opportunities. However, industry insiders believe that if the sport of Frisbee wants to continue to be popular, it needs to gain more attention by strengthening the promotion of event IP.
Quick to get started and low threshold
Frisbee is very popular. A reporter from China Business Daily found that many people have recently shared their feelings about trying Frisbee for the first time on social platforms. Many people said that they "discovered a new skill for losing fat", "it is simple and easy to use, and can be played with children" and so on. According to Dianping data, searches for parent-child Frisbees have increased by 350% month-on-month since May this year. As of press time, there are more than 90,000 notes on "Frisbee" in Xiaohongshu.
Customers purchase Frisbees at an outdoor goods store
It is reported that Frisbee is not a new sport. In 2001, Frisbee was added to the World Games as an official event. Subsequently, Frisbee clubs appeared in some cities, and some universities and colleges also organized Frisbee club activities.
Wang Xiaoya came into contact with Frisbee while studying in the United States and organized two Frisbee sports communities for international students. She told a reporter from China Business Daily that the movement of Frisbee is simple and easy to get started. Many enthusiasts said that after playing Frisbee once, they can basically understand the rules.
"The Frisbee field is rectangular, and the 'scoring areas' are located at both ends of the field. Each team has seven players. Successfully catching the Frisbee in the opponent's scoring area counts as one point. Players are not allowed to have physical contact throughout the process. After catching the Frisbee, they must Throw the Frisbee within ten seconds, otherwise it is against the rules." Wang Xiaoya said that there are many ways to play Frisbee today, including ultimate Frisbee , dodge Frisbee, beach Frisbee, accurate Frisbee throwing, etc.
In addition to the low entry barrier, Frisbee sports equipment is more affordable than skiing, camping, boating, surfing and other sports. It is understood that the current price of domestic Frisbee is about 45 yuan to 75 yuan. Novice players do not need too professional clothing, and daily sportswear can basically meet the needs.
Since Frisbee is so beginner-friendly, why didn’t it become popular until the latest version? Wang Xiaoya believes that the reason why camping is so popular is that many people are unable to go on long-distance trips due to the impact of the epidemic, but they have a strong need to get out of the house and get close to the outdoors. "Frisbee can be played in football fields and parks in cities, and can also be played in some residential areas with better greening. It has stimulated public demand for a while."
In addition, variety shows have also become the "combustion accelerant" for the popularity of this sport. In variety shows such as " Flowers and Boys " and " Talk Show Conference ", many stars talk about the fun brought by Frisbee. "Recommendations from celebrities have also attracted more young people to the sport of Frisbee," Wang Xiaoya said.
Vendors and clubs sense business opportunities
Frisbee is a popular sport, how is the business behind it? A reporter from China Business Daily learned that Frisbee equipment sellers and Frisbee clubs have sensed business opportunities.
Xiong Bo is the operations director of the trendy flying disc brand DOLLYDAILY. He told a reporter from China Business Daily that the current main material of the flying disc is PE material (polyethylene), with a weight of 175 grams and a diameter of 27.2 centimeters. "The cost of flying discs is relatively low, and the selling price is not high, so most manufacturers are unwilling to invest more resources in research and development. We will attract young consumers by designing trendy patterns, launching joint models, limited editions, etc. Frisbees have more collectible value, which increases the premium space of Frisbees."
It is understood that the above-mentioned trendy brands currently have relatively high sales including Barbie pink Frisbees, Chinese style Frisbees, blind box Frisbees, etc. Ordinary Frisbees may cost tens of yuan, while trendy and personalized Frisbees can cost hundreds of yuan. "Since March this year, our company's Frisbee sales have increased by about 200% year-on-year." Xiong Bo said that in addition to the Frisbee equipment business, he is also planning to build a Frisbee club, including Frisbee team building and training. The profit of this kind of service business is higher than that of product manufacturing.
Liu Xiaowen, the manager of the Wuhan Dragon Lizard Frisbee Club, told a reporter from China Business Daily that he organizes three to five Frisbee activities every week, with about 40-50 people in each session. The venues are full and each person charges 75 yuan. The club has to pay for venue rental, coaches, camera crews and basic equipment, etc., and can earn 8,000-10,000 yuan a month. "In addition, we will attract some sponsorships or accept advertisements, such as marketing coffee brands, sports drinks, fitness apparel, etc. in the community, and we can also earn income, which is about 20,000-30,000 yuan." Liu Xiaowen said that the club's With more and more members, he hopes to participate in national competitions in the future, and also hopes to cooperate with more coaches to promote Frisbee activities and provide competitive training services.
How to stay popular
A reporter from China Business Daily learned during the interview that people in the industry are paying attention to the sustainability of Frisbee sports and hope that the popularity of Frisbee sports will not be a "flash in the pan."
Liu Xiaowen said frankly that some users are just trying it out and may quit after playing it once or twice. "What we want to find are members who can stay forever. They have higher-level needs for Frisbee sports, such as professional training, participation in national competitive competitions, etc. We want more people to pay attention to Frisbee sports, and only those who pay attention to it will The more members there are, the more members can be retained, and the Frisbee club can continue to develop."
How to get more people to pay attention to Frisbee sports? Ma Yichen (pseudonym), deputy general manager of a sports marketing company, told a reporter from China Business Daily that Frisbee sports urgently need to develop influential event IP. He said that the industrial logic behind Frisbee is similar to that of skiing, skating, rowing, marathon and other sports, that is, relying on event IP to promote the development of training business, equipment business and related industries. "Although there are currently national Frisbee events, due to the low public attention to Frisbee sports and the lack of desire of many sponsors to participate, the Frisbee events have been in a tepid state. Frisbee sports have gained a lot of attention this year and traffic, the types of events are also increasing, and I think sponsors will devote more resources to this sport in the future."
It is reported that the 2025 Chengdu World Games will have Frisbee sports, and the World Frisbee Federation is also actively promoting Frisbee Sports enter the Olympics. Olympic research expert Yi Jiandong once said that judging from the "hard indicators" of popularity, maturity, operating status, and competition costs, it is "more promising" for the Frisbee event to enter the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
In addition, relevant departments are also actively promoting the development of Frisbee sports. In the "Compulsory Education Sports and Health Curriculum Standards (2022 Edition)" section of the "Compulsory Education Curriculum Plan and Curriculum Standards (2022 Edition)", "Ultimate Frisbee" was selected as the "Fashion Sports Project".
Liu Xiaowen said that it can be seen from the current trend that both domestic and foreign countries are paying attention to the development of Frisbee sports. As the industry matures, Frisbee sports are expected to reach a new level in the future. (Reporter Jie Yuxing Text/Picture)
Source: China Business Daily
