On one of the warm evenings in November in Ahmedabad, more than 130,000 spectators filled the "Narendra Modi" stadium not for a concert, but for the final of the cricket world championship. This event became a true celebration, uniting people whose energy filled hotels, cafes, roads, and meeting rooms. This match became yet another symbol of a new India, confident and actively engaged on the global stage.
Cricket undoubtedly remains a key element in the country's sports life. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a historic revenue of 97.41 billion rupees for the financial year 2023-24, with approximately 57.61 billion rupees coming solely from the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, the popularity of the IPL is not limited to finances: the 2024 season attracted around 446 million unique viewers, and the 2025 final became one of the most-watched broadcasts in the history of Indian sports, gathering about 169 million viewers.
Nevertheless, the sports economy of the country is expanding and going beyond cricket fields. According to authoritative studies, the Indian sports industry is demonstrating a growth rate of 12-14% per year and could reach $40 billion by 2030, thanks to investments in infrastructure, media, technology, and mass sports.
The sports and events ecosystem of India is no longer waiting for a breakthrough: it is actively influencing economic life, creating centers of attraction for youth and cultural exchange in cities, which is becoming increasingly noticeable across the country.
An example is field hockey, which is experiencing a renaissance. The bronze medals won by the men's national team at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics have rekindled public interest and corporate support. The Hockey India League (HIL) is returning in a new format, expecting to attract international players and the attention of global broadcasters, while tournaments in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela consistently draw full stands.
Kabaddi has presented one of the most outstanding success stories: the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), launched in 2014, attracts around 200 million viewers per season, making it one of the most popular non-cricket leagues in the country, especially in tier-two and tier-three cities.
Football is also finding its audience in India. The Indian Super League (ISL) is becoming an important project, attracting international players, coaches, and investors. Match attendance is comparable to leading Asian leagues, and the television audience in recent seasons has exceeded 150 million viewers, indicating that football is no longer a niche pastime.
Tennis is also contributing to the country's sports landscape. The return of ATP and WTA tournaments, such as the Chennai Open and Bengaluru Open, strengthens India's position as a significant location on the international tennis map. Although they cannot compete with cricket in scale, their economic impact is quite tangible, attracting interest from the international community.
Badminton continues to gain popularity, with the India Open Super 750 tournament regularly attracting the world's top players and demonstrating high television ratings.
Women's sports are finally receiving the attention they deserve. From record television viewership of women's cricket to increased sponsorship and attendance at leagues, there is a clear trend towards expanding the sports passion in the country.
All these processes reflect India's broader ambitions. With the support of the federal government, the Indian Olympic Association has approved a bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, which is expected to stimulate infrastructure renewal, attract international participants, and boost tourism activity, similar to the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in 2010.
In addition to sports, entertainment events are also contributing to this growth. A vivid example was the Coldplay Music of the Spheres concerts in Ahmedabad, which generated an economic impact of about 641 crore rupees. The two-day concert gathered over 220,000 spectators and led to increased demand for hotels, restaurants, and transportation services.
It is important to emphasize that this growth is not limited to major cities. In 2025 alone, dozens of major concerts with audiences of over 5,000 people took place across the country - from Kochi to Guwahati.
Economists note the multiplicative effect: major sporting events and concerts not only sell tickets but also contribute to hotel occupancy, invigorate transportation networks, increase customer flow in stores, and create short-term jobs.
For the youth of India, this has profound significance. A generation that was previously content to watch events on screens now has the opportunity to experience them live in their cities, fostering participation, ambition, and confidence.
In the future, the key challenges remain sustainability and scaling. India is no longer just hosting events - it is setting new rules of the game.
