Pakistan’s football manufacturing industry recorded a strong year in FY2025 26, with football exports reaching $256.7 million, according to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
The figure represents an 11.72 percent increase from the $229.8 million recorded during the previous fiscal year.
The growth highlights the continued international demand for footballs manufactured in Pakistan, particularly from the country’s established sports manufacturing hubs.
Behind Pakistan’s football exports is Sialkot, a city that has become internationally associated with sports manufacturing.
Its factories and skilled workforce have spent decades producing footballs for international markets, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern manufacturing techniques.
The city is particularly known for its hand stitched footballs, with Pakistani manufacturers supplying products to brands, sporting organisations and markets around the world.
This established manufacturing ecosystem has helped Pakistan maintain its position as a major producer of footballs.
Football was not the only sports product to record growth during the year. Pakistan’s total exports of sports goods increased by 10.08 percent, reaching $424.35 million in FY2025 26.
Exports of other sports goods also posted a significant increase of 16.93 percent, rising to $108.06 million. Gloves, however, moved in the opposite direction, with exports declining by 5.91 percent to $59.57 million.
Pakistan’s annual football export growth comes despite a decline recorded during June 2026, when football shipments fell sharply.
The weaker monthly performance did not prevent the sector from finishing the fiscal year with significant overall growth.
International sporting events can also create additional opportunities for manufacturers, with major tournaments generating demand for footballs and related sporting products.
Pakistan’s established manufacturing base gives local producers a strong foundation to benefit from these global markets.