Hacky sack, invented in the 1970s, is experiencing an unexpected resurgence this spring, driven by social media and cross-generational appeal. Play Monster, which acquired the Hacky Sack brand from Wham-O last year, witnessed a surge beyond expectations. The sport peaked at No. 4 in Amazon search terms during the week of May 11 and topped TikTok Shop for the first two weeks of May. Online content featuring rallies and highlights amassed millions of views, culminating in a high school bracket competition with over 5,000 voters and a $4,000 prize pool.

The modern iteration emphasizes tricks and creativity over simple keeps-up gameplay. Jonathan Berkowitz, CEO of Play Monster, noted the evolution from the '80s and '90s focus on duration to today's flair for spectacular maneuvers. Henry Zimmerman, a Southern Regional High School student, observed that his father's traditional teaching style differs vastly from current competitive play.

This evolution has sparked some contention among longtime players, who lament the loss of fundamental camaraderie. However, Berkowitz believes the highlight-reel nature fuels continued virality, as each video showcases unique tricks.

The sport's renewed energy will be featured during ESPN's 10th anniversary The Ocho broadcast, including the Hacky Sack 2026 Championship on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. ET. Play Monster is capitalizing with accelerated product development cycles, compressing typical 12-18 month timelines to just two months, with new items air-shipped from China for August release.