India’s sports economy crossed a major milestone in 2025, reaching ₹18,864 crore ($2.13 billion), according to WPP Sporting Nation Report. This marks a 13.4% year-on-year growth and reflects a doubling of the industry since 2021, driven by diversified revenue streams such as media rights, sponsorships, and endorsements.
The report highlights increasing maturity in India’s sports ecosystem, with media spending emerging as the dominant contributor (51%) and digital platforms growing faster than traditional television.
Key Highlights
- Sports economy value: ₹18,864 crore ($2.1–2.13 billion) in 2025
- Growth: 13.4% YoY (from ₹16,633 crore in 2024)
- Growth since 2021: Nearly doubled from ₹9,530 crore
- CAGR (2021–2025): ~18.6%
- Media share: 51% of total industry value
- Advertising spends: ₹9,571 crore (↑ 19.8%)
- Sponsorship: ₹7,943 crore (↑ 7%)
- Endorsements: ₹1,350 crore (↑ 10.3%)
Industry Growth & Structure
| Segment | Value (2025) | Growth Rate | Share in Industry |
| Total Sports Economy | ₹18,864 crore | 13.4% | 100% |
| Media Spends | ₹9,571 crore | 19.8% | 51% |
| Sponsorship | ₹7,943 crore | 7% | 42% |
| Endorsements | ₹1,350 crore | 10.3% | ~7% |
Cricket’s Dominance in Sports Economy
Cricket continues to dominate India’s sports economy, contributing 89% of total revenues in 2025, up from 85% in 2024. In absolute terms, cricket generated ₹16,704 crore, registering a 17.9% growth. It accounted for 81% of sponsorship spends, 87% of endorsements, and 95% of media spends, making it the backbone of the sports industry.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) remained the primary growth driver, supported by major international achievements such as India’s Champions Trophy win and the women’s team’s ODI World Cup victory. The emergence of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) has further strengthened cricket’s commercial ecosystem.
Media & Advertising Trends
| Medium | Value (2025) | Growth Rate |
| Television | ₹5,117 crore | 16.4% |
| Digital | ₹4,449 crore | 24% |
Sponsorship & Endorsement Trends
- Sponsorship growth relatively moderate at 7%, driven by:
- Premiumisation
- Better monetisation of existing assets
- Industry remained resilient despite exit of real money gaming companies
- Traditional sectors filled the sponsorship gap
- Endorsements reached ₹1,350 crore
- Cricket alone contributed ₹1,178 crore (87%)
Key Growth Drivers
- Expansion of media rights and digital platforms
- Rise of professional leagues (IPL, WPL)
- Strong international performance of Indian teams
- Increased brand investment and advertising spends
- Diversification of revenue streams