2025 CWA Industry Report Survey Launched
The 2025 CWA Industry Report survey is open. This benchmarking study shows climbing gym operators across the US and Canada what other gyms are charging, paying, and earning. But, it only exists if gyms complete the survey, we need your help.
We're going to be blunt. Participation in our most recent report fell well short of what the industry needs, and we can't produce credible benchmarks without you.
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What the Last Two Reports Gave You
The Industry Report sits alongside our other research, including the 2026 Indoor Climber Survey and the 2026 Climbing Gym Incident, Injury and Insurance Summary. This report measures the business side of running a gym.
Our 2019 report drew on 96 operators representing 142 locations and estimated total North American climbing gym revenue at roughly $647 million. The 2022 report, built on 2021 numbers, gave operators these overall benchmarks:
- Average gross revenue: $825,637
- Average total payroll: $309,373
- Average lease or mortgage: $135,163
- Average single monthly membership on auto-pay: $70, with a $19 average day pass
Operators named staffing as their top business challenge and youth programs as their biggest growth area. That's the context you need when you set next year's prices or sit down with a lender.
No Participation, No Data
Participation is moving the wrong way. The 2019 report included 142 gym locations. The 2022 report included 43. By January 2024, the number of commercial climbing gyms we track in the US and Canada had grown to 777, up from 577 in 2019.
This data doesn't come from anywhere else. Every number in these reports came from an operator who sat down and shared theirs. When fewer gyms take part, the benchmarks get thinner and less useful for everyone, including the gyms that did contribute. It also weakens our case when we speak for the industry with insurers and legislators.
If you want industry data, your gym has to contribute. The survey closes November 30th, so don't delay.
Changes For This Year
We redesigned the survey so it takes less of your time.
- Multi-location operators: The survey is rebuilt to save you time when reporting across multiple gyms.
- Single-location gyms: A simpler path through the questions.
- Save your progress: You don't have to finish in one sitting. Start now and pick up where you left off once you've pulled the numbers you need.
- Free report: Every gym that contributes receives a free copy of the 2025 CWA Industry Report, a $650 value.
Grab your year-end financials and get your gym counted.
For questions about the 2025 CWA Industry Report survey, membership, or other CWA programs and services, contact hello@cwapro.org.