Brandwave

Spalding vs Wilson:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Spalding had more branded searches than Wilson among basketball brands in New Zealand. Spalding had about 470 branded searches, while Wilson had 320. Spalding made up 31.3% of all basketball brand searches we track, and Wilson accounted for 21.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about basketball brands, Wilson appeared in all five answers and Spalding in three. Wilson was mentioned before Spalding in every answer.

Among basketball brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Spalding, about 47% more searches than Wilson

Spalding 470 searchesWilson 320 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Wilson, mentioned in every answer we collected

Wilson in 5 of 5Spalding in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Wilson, named ahead of Spalding in every answer

Wilson first in 4Spalding never first

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Top basketball brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Wilson appeared in all five answers. Spalding was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Wilson was listed before Spalding in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Wilson1st
  2. Molten2nd
  3. Spalding3rd

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Wilson5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Molten3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Spalding3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about basketball brands

5 answers
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which basketball brand should I buy in New Zealand?”

    1. 1Wilson
    2. 2Molten
    3. 3Spalding
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best basketball brands in New Zealand?”

    1. 1Wilson
    2. 2Molten
    3. 3Spalding
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best basketball brand in New Zealand for indoor play?”

    1. 1Molten
    2. 2Wilson
  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “best basketballs”

    1. 1Wilson
    2. 2Spalding
  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “size 7 basketball”

    1. 1Wilson

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.

Is Spalding or Wilson more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Spalding and Wilson by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all three basketball brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Spalding and Wilson among basketball brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Spalding, Wilson. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMoltenSpaldingWilson
Oct 202540%40%20%
Nov 202544.1%36%19.9%
Dec 202540%38.7%21.3%
Jan 202642.2%37.3%20.5%
Feb 202646.7%34.4%18.9%
Mar 202641.3%33.5%25.2%
Apr 202638.1%33.8%28.1%
May 202635.3%28.9%35.8%
Jun 202638%27.5%34.5%
Jul 202682.4%11%6.6%
Aug 202647.3%31.3%21.3%
Sep 202647.3%31.3%21.3%

How has the Spalding and Wilson comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Wilson took it in May 2026, Spalding took it in July 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Spalding’s share of searches among basketball brands in New Zealand moved from 40% to 31.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 640 to 470.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wilson’s share of searches among basketball brands in New Zealand moved from 20% to 21.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 320.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand basketball brands in September 2026?

1 change
  1. Estimated monthly branded searches for Spalding in New Zealand fell 26.6% over 12 measured months, from 640 to 470 in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Spalding’s and Wilson’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Spalding

2 branded search terms

  • spalding
  • spalding basketball

Wilson

1 branded search term

  • wilson basketball

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among basketball brands

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