Esports in India: Current Status and the Future Ahead
- Aashwij Ravula
When I first started Hydras Sports Network, most people thought competitive gaming was just a hobby. Back then, in 2021, the entire esports industry in India was barely worth ₹250 crore. Fast forward a few years, and by 2024, the industry had already crossed ₹1,700 crore, driven by tournaments, streaming, and brand partnerships. What was once seen as a niche is now one of the fastest-growing segments of India’s new sports economy, with revenues projected to cross US$140 million (≈₹12,000 crore) by 2027.
I’ve had the privilege of seeing this transformation up close. From around 150,000 esports athletes in 2021, India is now home to over 1.8 million players—professionals, semi-professionals, and competitive amateurs. In 2023 alone, 1.7 million people participated in organized competitions, and that number had already surged past 2.5 million by the end of 2024. The audience is keeping pace too. Instead of the 85 million projection we once talked about for 2025, today we’re seeing tournaments pull in hundreds of thousands of concurrent viewers, and the aggregated audience has grown into the tens of millions.
This revolution is undeniably mobile-first. More than 90% of Indian esports players compete on smartphones, powered by affordable devices and cheap data. Titles like BGMI, Free Fire, and Call of Duty: Mobile aren’t just games anymore—they’re cultural touchstones for a generation.
Recognition has also arrived. The Online Gaming Bill, 2025 formally separated esports from gambling and recognized it as a skill-based sport. For me, this was a pivotal moment: it gave esports the legitimacy to attract structured investment, infrastructure growth, and talent development. Alongside that, we’ve already seen milestones like India’s first world esports champion—Ved Bamb (“Beelzeboy”) in Pokémon GO—and full stadiums in Lucknow hosting esports tournaments as mainstream events.
Of course, the journey isn’t without hurdles. Patchy internet, uneven regulation, limited monetization for players, and outdated perceptions about gaming as “just a distraction” remain challenges. But every challenge is also an opportunity. Government support is increasing, brand sponsorships are expanding beyond gaming, and esports infrastructure is spreading into tier-2 and tier-3 cities. What excites me most is that we’re now creating entire career paths—casters, analysts, event managers, marketers—roles that didn’t exist in India a decade ago.
Looking ahead 3–5 years, I can see the outlines of what’s coming: IPL-style franchise leagues with massive prize pools, a national esports body that governs rules and player welfare, esports broadcasts sitting next to cricket on primetime television, and Indian teams finally breaking through at the highest global stages.
For me personally, this industry has never been just about building a business—it’s about building a movement. From college scrims to global stages, from grassroots communities to packed stadiums, the growth of esports in India mirrors my own journey as a founder. And as I look at what’s coming next, I believe more than ever: India is on the path to becoming a true global esports powerhouse.