Fantasy football has grown from a 1960s barroom hobby into an $11 billion industry, blending competition, media, and technology while captivating millions of fans worldwide.

Back-to-school shopping rivals the holidays as the year’s biggest spend. Inflation, tariffs, and shifting consumer habits shape 2025 trends, with parents seeking deals online and in-store, balancing budgets, and prioritizing clothing, electronics, and dorm essentials.

U.S. leads global AI race with major investments, but China’s rapid growth, open-source innovation, and cost efficiency are narrowing the gap toward 2030 dominance.