The UK health and fitness sector could reach 17 million members by 2032 if its current growth trajectory continues, but operators will need to work harder to reach women, lower socioeconomic groups and older adults if the industry is to fulfil its potential.

Speaking at the HFA European Congress at London Stadium on 24 September UK Active CEO Cameron Saunders, highlighted the rapid growth of the UK fitness market and the opportunities still ahead.

The UK now has 12.2 million health and fitness club members – almost one in five people – with 679 million visits made to facilities during 2025 and £5.7 billion generated in membership income.

Between 2023 and 2025, the market added around 1.4 million members and 110 million annual visits, while membership income increased by £947 million.

Visits are now rising faster than membership, suggesting existing members are using facilities more frequently.

The UK’s mix of public and private provision was identified as one of its strengths. Private operators are driving growth through both new openings and increasing membership at existing sites, while public operators have generated growth largely from existing facilities, increasing both membership and visit frequency.

If current rates of growth were maintained, UK Active projects membership could rise to around 17 million by 2032 – equivalent to approximately one in four people – and 22 million by 2039, or around one in three.

However, Saunders warned against assuming growth will automatically continue at its current pace.

The biggest volume of members currently comes from 25- to 34-year-olds, with around 60 per cent reporting gym membership, while Gen Z participation appears to be plateauing at a high base.

Older adults are emerging as a particularly important opportunity. Membership among over-55s has increased by 44 per cent, according to data presented at the Congress, although participation remains considerably below that of younger age groups.

Saunders said this demographic could have some of the most significant health gains from becoming more active, while also potentially reducing pressure on the NHS through prevention.

The analysis also highlighted inequalities in the industry’s recent growth.

Participation among ABC1 socioeconomic groups has risen strongly, while growth among C2DE groups has been much more modest. The barriers are also different: ABC1 consumers are more likely to identify cost as an issue, while confidence and psychological barriers are more significant among C2DE groups.

Male participation has also been growing faster than female participation, widening the gender gap.

The session formed part of the opening programme of the 2026 HFA European Congress, which is bringing together health and fitness leaders from more than 35 countries at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

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Manchester City have been found guilty by an independent commission over the club’s 115 breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules, according to The Athletic.

City insist the process “remains ongoing” surrounding the charges relating to providing accurate financial information and failing to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) over a nine-year period, between 2009 and 2018.

City were referred to an independent commission in February 2023 following a four-year investigation by the Premier League – one City were also accused of failing to co-operate in.

City had denied any wrongdoing throughout the process and announced their “surprise” when they were referred to an independent commission.

A City spokesperson told The Athletic: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023.

“The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”

Now, the club will have the chance to appeal against the decision of one of the most significant court cases in the history of sport.

Regardless of the judgement, both sides – the Premier League and Manchester City – knew they would have the chance to appeal within 14 days of the ruling.

Such an appeal would trigger a fresh three-person commission to look into the case, the members of which will be selected by Murray Rosen KC, the chair of the Premier League’s judicial panel.

This would lead to a further delay of the imposition of any sanctions or points deductions until the appeal process is complete.

However, the decision of the three-person commission would be final. City would not be able to turn to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), unlike a previous case.

In February 2020, City were found guilty of breaking Uefa’s financial fair-play (FFP) rules and were given a €30m (£26.3m) fine as well as a two-year European ban.

But after the case was taken to Cas, the ban was lifted five months later and the fine was reduced to €10m (£8.8m).

Cas said City showed “blatant disregard of Uefa’s investigative process” but cleared them of “disguising equity funds as sponsorship contribution”. City said this ruling was “validation of the club’s position and the body of evidence that it was able to present”.

The club also aided by the fact Uefa statute only allows prosecutions within a five-year period, which meant most of the alleged breaches “were either not established or time-barred”. The Premier League did not have this problem of a cut-off, allowing them to bring charges against the club going back to 2009.

City have been England’s most successful team since the club’s fortunes were transformed by Sheikh Mansour’s takeover in 2008. The club won the Premier League three times between 2009 and 2018, a period in which the club also won one FA Cup and three League Cups.

Under manager Pep Guardiola, City won the Premier League in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, including an unprecedented run of four in a row. In 2023, the club also won the Champions League for the first time, completing a historic “treble” of major prizes.

Teofimo Lopez has considered the physical and psychological hurdles that Jaron Ennis would need to overcome against Terence Crawford.

While he claims to be happily retired, there appears to be a popular demand for Crawford to return to the ring and face two-division unified champion Ennis.

This is in spite of ‘Bud’ calling time on his career in December, having become a three-division undisputed king by dethroning Canelo Alvarez with a unanimous decision victory.

But while this legacy-defining moment arrived at 168lbs, most would argue that the five-division world champion was more effective at 147lbs, where he defeated Errol Spence Jr with a ninth-round finish in 2023.

Ennis, meanwhile, moved up from welterweight and dethroned Xander Zayas for the WBO and WBA world super-welterweight titles in June.

As a result of his seventh-round stoppage, many now consider him the top dog at 154lbs, where he aims to become the undisputed king by defeating fellow champions Josh Kelly and Sebastian Fundora.

Equally, though, the 29-year-old would gladly enter a showdown with Crawford who, even at 38, is regarded by Lopez as the superior fighter.

Speaking with Ring Champs, ‘The Takeover’ highlighted Crawford’s mental strength as a reason for backing the modern great if he ever locks horns with Ennis.

“Crawford [would win]. For Boots to fall into a trap like that [Crawford teasing his comeback] … he’s not prepared [to get] in the ring [and] go all the way, physically.”

While mentioning Crawford’s appetite for a game of chess, too, Lopez is perhaps suggesting that Ennis would fall short in the tactical department of their possible contest.

Richard and Will Freedman had initially thought Magnatear would be a doubtful starter in the 2026 Shannon Stakes. However, a reconsideration has led to the consistent gelding being entered for the race.

The original strategy was to give Magnatear one more run in the Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) prior to his main objective, the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on Melbourne Cup day.

Will Freedman conveyed that the decision was made to give the seven-year-old an additional start this weekend, ensuring he reaches peak fitness for the major November feature.

“We’d hate to be half a run short coming into the Big Dance, so we thought we’d give him an extra run now rather than try to squeeze one in after the Alan Brown if we felt he was slightly underdone,” Will Freedman explained. “It will be this one, then the Alan Brown, and then the Big Dance.”

Magnatear has been a standout performer for the Freedmans since joining their stable just under two years prior.

Having earned a spot in The Big Dance by winning the Muswellbrook Cup (1500m) in March, he returned with what many consider a career-best effort when runner-up to Skyhook in the Theo Marks Stakes (1300m).

The gelding has recorded seven wins and 15 placings from 32 career starts, amassing over $750,000 in prize money, and Will Freedman highlighted his importance to the stable’s success.

“He’s a fine wine. He just gets better,” he commented. “I was having a conversation with a friend of mine and he said, ‘he’s so good for your business’, and I said, ‘no he’s actually terrible for my business because if he wasn’t around there might have been times I could have gone on to a different career and lived a comfortable life!’ He just keeps coming back and he’s so honest. If you had a barn full of horses like him you’d be very happy.”

A field of ten runners is set to contest the Shannon Stakes, with the victor receiving exemption from ballot and penalty for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick the following week.

Magnatear has drawn the inside alley and has a solid record when racing second-up, having only missed a top-three finish on one occasion in five starts.

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Connections of Freshman are set to receive an immediate assessment of the three-year-old’s capabilities when he makes his debut in the Listed Heritage Stakes at Rosehill.

Trainer Bryce Heys, usually measured in his horse placements, has been drawn to the small field of eight, combined with the natural talent and progression his charge has exhibited at home.

While acknowledging the considerable task Freshman faces in competing in a Listed race on debut, Heys anticipates the colt will hold his own.

“The reason we’ve always liked him is the way he works,” Heys said. “When you teach him something, he’s always wanted to come to the party. It’s obviously a big ask on Saturday, but he’s in great order and he’s a lovely horse.”

The colt, by Wild Ruler, was bred in New Zealand and purchased for $380,000 from the 2025 Karaka sale. He underwent two trials in preparation for Saturday’s Heritage Stakes (1100m), winning his most recent hit-out, although he did tug for rein early. Heys attributed this to a lack of pace in the heat, rather than any indication of bad manners.

“They went very slow in that last trial. It wasn’t a true reflection,” Heys commented. “He will come back off the bridle. He has always been a touch immature, but he’s always had a sharp level of ability and just physically gotten stronger each time he’s been in work.”

Heys also has the lightly-raced Banjora entered in the TAB Handicap (1100m), but a decision on whether the gelding resumes from an awkward draw will be made on race morning.

Having won his first three starts, the five-year-old then placed in the Gosford heat of the Provincial-Midway Championships (1200m) before finishing fourth to Lord Of Biscay in the Wildcard (1400m). Lord Of Biscay subsequently claimed the Final.

“I’m not in a hurry to get him started. He’s obviously drawn a bit tricky,” Heys stated. “It’s just the fact he’s first-up and starting first-up quite higher in grade than he has previously, so I’m mindful of that, despite his ability. We’ve got him in there as if we’re going to run, but I haven’t committed to that yet.”

Heys described Banjora as a robust gelding who would benefit from racing, and added that he has had an uninterrupted build-up. “We love the horse, but I don’t have a grand plan for him,” he said. “I just feel he needs a little bit of racing. He may get himself somewhere this time around, but I just want him to have a good ‘prep’ where he sets himself up for a really nice autumn.”

Aaron Bullock is booked to partner both of Heys’ runners.

The Heritage Stakes is a key race for the three-year-olds, and punters are checking the racing odds at various bookmakers.

Agit Kabayel has been given until this evening to sign his contract and face an unbeaten heavyweight, who claims he is waiting patiently for the WBC champion to put pen to paper.

The Kurdish-German was elevated from ‘interim’ to full world champion in June, immediately after Oleksandr Usyk vacated his three major belts.

Prior to that, he had retained his secondary WBC title with a third-round finish over Damian Knyba, who now comes off a points victory over Andy Ruiz Jr.

Previous stoppages also saw Kabayel dismantle Zhilei Zhang, Frank Sanchez and Arslanbek Makhmudov with body shots and, in turn, establish himself as one of the world’s leading heavyweights.

In terms of his first WBC title defence, meanwhile, the 34-year-old is expected to return to Germany later this year, before pursuing unification matches with Filip Hrgovic and the winner of Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2.

As for his next opponent, an announcement is expected soon enough after promoter Frank Warren confirmed that they were ‘moving on’ from Nelson Hysa.

According to Hysa, however, he has signed the contract and is now urging Kabayel to make a decision by close of play today.

Taking to social media, the 42-year-old offered his interpretation of the situation.

“Agit, I don’t want to play and I don’t want to waste time with you. You have started the training camp. Meanwhile, you left me without a response.

“The contract is in my hand. Since you wanted the facts, this is the contract signed by me. So sign the contract within 24 hours. If you don’t, I’ll make the contract public so everyone can see who hasn’t signed.”

Hysa seemingly emerged as a potential opponent last month, with the Albanian confronting Kabayel after stopping Thomas Narmo in two rounds.

Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu have given Michael Carrick something to think about ahead of Manchester United’s return to Premier League action

Manchester United duo Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu were both on target for Cameroon and Denmark respectively during the international break, providing under-pressure head coach Michael Carrick with an encouraging reminder of the attacking options at his disposal. Carrick is beginning to feel the pressure, with United winning just two of their seven matches in all competitions this season.

Those victories came against Ipswich Town in the Premier League and Sabah in the Champions League, while they were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham in their final game before the international break. It is not just the results that have raised concerns, but also the quality of the opposition and the manner of some of United’s defeats.

Performances have not been good enough, with issues evident at both ends of the pitch. Defensively, United have looked vulnerable, while questions have also been raised about their fitness levels.

After the international break, United return to action against Tottenham at Old Trafford in a fixture that could have major implications for Carrick. It is a game United will be desperate to avoid losing.

A victory would go some way towards easing the pressure on Carrick, while anything less could see the scrutiny intensify once again. Things then become even more challenging, with United facing a demanding run of away fixtures against Atletico Madrid, Leeds United and Como in the space of just over a week.

It may be too early to describe that run as make or break, but if things do not go to plan against Spurs, it could quickly start to feel that way.

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There is little point getting caught up in hypotheticals over what each result might mean just yet, but there is no denying that the next couple of weeks could prove hugely important for Carrick and his United project.

With Carrick reportedly given just a handful of games to save his Manchester United job, criticised duo Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu sent their boss a timely message during the international break by both finding the net. Dorgu even produced a stunning strike from the right wing.

While both players have faced their share of criticism this season, their goals provided a timely reminder that they can be relied upon to deliver in front of goal when the Reds need them most.

They will now be hoping to carry that goalscoring form into United’s crucial clash with Tottenham on October 10 (5:30pm).

Mbeumo’s Cameroon beat Comoros 3-1, while Dorgu’s Denmark suffered a 3-2 defeat to Erling Haaland’s Norway.