Access to popular outdoor events becomes increasingly difficult worldwide

On September 1, 2026, the world of adventure travel faced a new reality as the inaugural Access Index by Jade Peak revealed that securing a spot in the most sought-after outdoor events was becoming increasingly difficult, if not impossible, for many enthusiasts. This groundbreaking report, which analyzed over 300 activities across 90 countries, highlighted the stark challenge of obtaining a reservation, especially for popular events like marathons and outdoor expeditions.

In the United States, for instance, only 1% of the 240,000 lottery applicants managed to secure a spot in the New York City Marathon this year. Similarly, the wait time for a slot in the Grand Canyon river rafting expedition could stretch up to 18 years, indicating a significant shift in access patterns.

Marina Herraiz, one of the co-founders of Jade Peak, explained the current trend: "For U.S. residents, nine out of ten national parks charge the same entry fee as in 2020, which, when adjusted for inflation, represents a real price decrease."

The company's findings underscore the growing disparity between demand and availability. While the cost of entry has remained relatively stable, the probability of winning a lottery spot has plummeted. "Organizers are increasingly prioritizing repeat applicants, offering them a double chance of securing a slot each year," Herraiz added.

To address this issue, Jade Peak has published "Directives for Event Organizers," a living document intended to set fair and equitable standards for future access to these highly coveted events. "Our goal is to establish transparent guidelines that will benefit both organizers and participants," stated Ian Zhang, the other co-founder.

The Access Index, along with its accompanying data and charts, is freely accessible and reusable under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license, available at Jade Peak's website.

Jade Peak, based in Madrid, publishes the Access Index annually to highlight the challenges and changes in accessing the world's most popular outdoor events. The company maintains no financial ties with the entities featured in the report and does not accept any payments for their inclusion, ranking, mention, or exclusion.