JAKARTA: Sports venues are finding homes in malls across Jakarta, emerging as new anchor tenants that draw in crowds where retail once reigned.
From padel courts to climbing walls and cycling studios, businesses are transforming shopping centres into part of the city’s growing urban sports ecosystem, opening new opportunities for business development.
According to a survey by research provider Populix, Indonesians’ sports habits are shifting toward lifestyle-driven activities, especially among affluent Gen-Z and millennial consumers in Greater Jakarta.
Convenience is the main factor driving participation, with most people choosing sports that are easy to do and enjoyable, though many struggle to find the time.
When choosing venues, consumers prioritise availability, field quality and location, while amenities such as clean bathrooms and parking space matter too.
According to the cofounder of AYO Indonesia, a sports community app with more than 1,200 partner venues across the country, “users prefer indoor venues for certainty, since they don’t have to worry about heat or rain”.
Padel is among the fastest-growing sports, Raimundus “Joe” Johannes said.
“We’ve seen exponential growth in padel recently. Female users on the AYO app are increasing rapidly, as the sport has become particularly popular among women,” Joe said.
While AYO’s partners span the archipelago, about 60% are concentrated in Greater Jakarta, driven largely by private sports operators.
“Venue partners from the property sector still make up fewer than 10%, most are initiated by sports industry players,” he added. — The Jakarta Post/ANN
