ABSTRACT
The French Federation of Physical Education and Recreational Gymnastics (FFEPGV), France’s leading multisport federation, has published this annual survey in partnership with the Ipsos BVA Institute every year since 2012 to tracktrends in sports participation and the expectations of the French public regarding sports and health.
The 2026 edition focuses on mental health and highlights a link—perceived as strong by 90% of respondents—between physical activity and mental well-being, against a backdrop of steadily increasing participation over the past ten years (72% of participants, with weekly participation time nearly doubling since 2015).
The most directly actionable section focuses on residents’ relationship with local sports facilities. Three-quarters of respondents feel they have facilities close to home—a perception that has increased since the 2020 municipal elections—and more than two-thirds say they are satisfied with their municipality’s facilities and range of activities, a significant increase compared to 2012. Nearly one in two French people note local improvements since the previous term in office (new facilities, bike paths, a wider variety of offerings). As the March 2026 election approaches, sports rank among the issues considered important by a large majority and influence the vote of about one in five respondents. Persistent barriers (schedules, cost, lack of suitable options) and the role of healthcare professionals in recommending sports participation are also documented.
Keywords: annual barometer, voter behavior, medical professionals, election cycle, opinion poll, sports federation, recreational gymnastics, local visibility, public opinion, representative panel, public sports policy, municipal positioning, election platform, quality of life, regional influence, municipal election, national poll, community life
Illustration: FFEPGV x Ispos bva
