Climbing Business Journal recently released its Gyms and Trends report, spotlighting significant industry happenings for the year 2025, including how economic factors contributed to changes in climbing gym revenues, customer traffic and how gyms adapted to fiscal challenges.
The report found that the number of new climbing gyms that opened in North America was down for 2025 compared to 2024, and so too was the total amount of climbing wall surface built across those new gyms.
Other Key Takeaways:
• 53 newly opened climbing gyms in North America in 2025
• 41 net new gyms
• 4.7% net growth rate
• 356,314 square feet of climbing built across new gyms
• 73% of operators reported worsening economic conditions
• 61% of operators expect revenue improvements in 2026
As with previous installments, this year’s Gyms and Trends report utilizes a combination of maps, charts, graphs, tables and expert feedback — including exclusive insights from an in-depth survey of 240 climbing facilities — to present the most comprehensive analysis of a single year in the climbing gym industry.
The full Gyms and Trends 2025 report is available to all CBJ members at a paid level and can be accessed here (become a CBJ member here).
