India's sports economy is on a strong growth trajectory and is projected to nearly double by 2027. A recent report indicates that the market is currently valued at approximately 39 billion pounds and is expected to experience substantial expansion in the coming years.

Several factors are contributing to this optimistic outlook. Government initiatives aimed at promoting sports participation, coupled with a rising interest in fitness among the population, are playing a crucial role. The Indian sports equipment manufacturing sector is also experiencing steady expansion, further bolstering the growth of the sports market.

The sports sector's close connection with other industries such as media, telecom, education, real estate, and tourism creates a large multiplier effect, contributing to overall economic and social development, including health and well-being. Moreover, India's sports goods exports have been growing steadily, reflecting strong global demand and local manufacturing capabilities.

According to a report by CareEdge Ratings, India's sports market is expected to register a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10-12% through 2030. The report estimates the current value of India's sports market at around $52 billion, with core sub-sectors contributing $31 billion and allied sub-sectors adding another $21 billion. During the first ten months of FY25 (April 2024 to January 2025), sports goods exports stood at $497.3 million, and CareEdge Ratings expects this number to rise further and reach around $660.0 million by FY26.

Other analysis also supports this growth trajectory. Deloitte's analysis estimates the Indian sports market to touch $100 billion by 2027 from $27 billion in 2020, a CAGR of over 20%, which is about twice as fast as the global sports market. This growth is attributed to the success of new talent in sports and government initiatives that accelerate the growth of diverse sports in India. The rising popularity of NFTs, merchandise, and IP-related sports commerce among sports persons and fans, especially Gen Zs, is also expected to benefit a diverse range of sports.

FICCI-Nangia Nxt also projects the Indian sports industry to reach $100 billion by 2027, up from $27 billion in 2020. This transformation is driven by various factors, including the commercialization of sports leagues, technological advancements, and a growing emphasis on diverse sporting disciplines. Sectors such as sports goods, apparel, and media rights are contributing significantly to this growth, with the sports media market alone expected to grow from $1 billion in 2020 to $13.4 billion by 2027.

Released during the India-England Test match, the report emphasizes increasing Indian investments beyond cricket and proposes initiatives like a Bilateral Working Group and sportstech innovation hub.