Fantasy Sports Market in India is Booming

Fantasy sports in India have quickly grown from a niche interest to a popular digital entertainment area, attracting millions of tech-savvy and sports-loving individuals.

Industry estimates suggest that the fantasy sports market size in India could grow from around $751 million in 2023 to more than $3.4 billion by 2031. A big part of this rise comes down to three things: cheap mobile data, the smartphone boom, and how seriously India takes its sports.

Cricket, of course, leads the pack – especially when the IPL is on. But there’s a noticeable shift happening. More fans are getting into fantasy football, kabaddi, and other leagues too. It’s clear people aren’t just sticking to cricket anymore – they’re exploring all kinds of sports.

What Is Fantasy Sports?

Fantasy sports are interactive online games in which players form virtual teams of professional athletes. Real-world player performance directly affects how many points your fantasy team earns. The basic goal is to score more points by carefully selecting and managing players.

Types of Fantasy Contests

Season-Long Leagues: These competitions span the complete sports season. Participants select their teams at the start of the sports season and run them all the way through, trading, altering lineups, and planning depending on player performance and injuries.
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS): Often lasting only a day or week, DFS contests are short-term. Every game, players build new teams, hence allowing quick outcomes and versatility.

Basic Functionality and User Engagement

Participants choose athletes within a defined budget or pay cap, hoping to put together the most effective team depending on forthcoming games. Points are awarded to players according to their on-field accomplishments, such as goals, runs, assists, and wickets taken.

By displaying participants’ ranks, leaderboards promote competition. To boost user engagement and add a competitive element to the experience, many platforms provide financial incentives.

The Rise of Fantasy Sports Market in India

Over the past five to seven years, fantasy sports in India have undergone significant change. Thanks to several socio-technical enablers and cricket’s broad appeal, what started off as a marginal pastime has grown into a thriving digital business.

Key Milestones and Drivers of Growth

Smartphone spread and affordable internet have made fantasy gaming available in both urban and rural India.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been the major development driver, with short-format matches ideal for live interaction.
Opportunities for fantasy gaming have arisen as a result of the expansion of international cricket and other T20 contests (such as the Big Bash, PSL, and CPL).
As a result of COVID-19 lockdowns, more people started playing games online for entertainment and social interaction.
From $751 million in 2023, the Indian fantasy gaming industry could swell to over $3.4 billion by 2031, if current trends continue.

Market Size & Stats: How Big Is the Fantasy Sports Market in India?

What started as a niche pastime has quickly become a booming industry in India. A big part of that is the wider use of smartphones, cheap mobile data, and a huge appetite for sports across the country.

At the time, estimates placed the value of India’s fantasy sports market near $751 million. It may climb beyond $3.4 billion within the next decade.
The number of registered players crossed 180 million in 2023 and could reach 500 million by 2027, showing just how quickly the format is catching on.

Thanks to this surge, India is quickly becoming one of the key markets for fantasy sports in the Asia-Pacific region.

The development of sports leagues, such as the Indian Premier League (IPL), which give ongoing interaction opportunities for fantasy sports lovers, contributes to the sector’s growth.

Fantasy Sports Platforms Dominating the Indian Market

Several platforms have emerged as leaders in India’s fantasy sports business, each offering distinct features to attract and maintain fans:

Dream11 is the most well-known brand in India when it comes to fantasy sports. Its simple-to-use interface and several contest choices complement its different sports, including cricket, football, and basketball.
Apart from fantasy sports, Mobile Premier League (MPL) provides puzzles and card games. Its association with famous sportsmen like Virat Kohli has boosted brand recognition.
Backed by cricket greats like Sourav Ganguly, My11Circle offers tools including private leagues for both recreational and competitive players and “Beat the Expert” challenges.
Gamesys11 has become popular by providing low-entry competitions, daily giveaways, and expert opinions through its ‘Pandit Ji’ function, opening up fantasy sports to a larger audience.

Fantasy Sports User Demographics & Behaviour

Most of India’s fantasy sports players are young and digitally engaged. Most active individuals are between 25 and 40 years old, suggesting the digital native quality of the group.

About 69% of players are men, yet the 31% share held by women shows female participation is rising.
Although major cities like Mumbai and Delhi have the most supporters, Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are expanding fast due to low-cost telephones and internet access.
Players often engage every day, especially during major events like the IPL, and they prefer short-duration fights.
Many people participate in low-entry-fee competitions; more interested users often spend more.

Why Fantasy Sports Market Is Booming in India?

A combination of factors fuelled fantasy gaming in the country:

The sport’s great popularity, especially for events like the IPL, fosters an excellent atmosphere for participation in fantasy sports.
With 65% of the population under 35, there is a natural love for digital platforms and gaming.
India’s cheap data rates and high smartphone penetration make online gaming available to many.
The chance to win real cash rewards adds an appealing aspect to user engagement.
Judicial recognition of fantasy sports as games of skill has created a legal framework that promotes growth.

Challenges & Concerns for Fantasy Sport Market in India

The expansion hasn’t been entirely smooth – some issues still linger in the space.

The absence of a unified national framework causes uneven state-level laws, which cause platform operational problems.
Strong, responsible gaming policies are needed to dispel worries about possible addiction and financial risks.
There’s still confusion out there – people sometimes lump fantasy games in with gambling, even though they’re skill-driven.
User participation and platform income have been affected by recent tax policies, including a 28% GST on admission prices.

Future of Fantasy Sports Market in India

Driven by technology innovations and changing consumer preferences, the Indian fantasy sports industry is set for remarkable expansion. Important trends are:

Platforms are leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to create personalised user experiences, such as targeted team suggestions and predictive analytics.
More regional leagues and smaller sports are now being included to attract fans with different tastes.
Fantasy apps are also adding game-like features – things like levels, badges, and rewards – to keep users active and coming back.

Together, these changes point to steady growth for India’s fantasy sports market.

Conclusion

The best fantasy sports in India have altered fan involvement and online gaming, converting passive viewers into active players. A mix of technology innovations, a big sports-loving population, and greater internet access is driving the growth of the sector.

There’s plenty of potential in India’s fantasy sports market share—for startups, users, and even investors. But, as the sector grows, we need to encourage ethical gaming behaviour and inform players about the skill-based aspect of fantasy sports.

The ongoing expansion and viability of the sector in India’s digital entertainment arena will depend on embracing innovation while maintaining ethical standards.

FAQs

What is fantasy sports?

Players create teams using real-world athletes and compete based on their real-life performance. Points are gained depending on these athletes’ actual performance in real-world contests. Scoring is tied to how each athlete performs in actual games-runs, goals, wickets, and more.

Is fantasy sports legal in India?

Indeed, fantasy sports are permitted in India. The Supreme Court has classified them as games of skill, separating them from gambling operations.

Which fantasy platforms are widely used by Indian players?

Among the top sites are Dream11, Mobile Premier League (MPL), My11Circle, and Gamesys11, each with distinct qualities and a range of sports.

How big is the fantasy sports industry in India right now?

Valued at about $751 million in 2023, the market is expected to grow to $3.42 billion by 2031.

Is it possible to make consistent money through fantasy gaming?

Certainly, several sites provide monetary awards depending on the performance of your team. Your knowledge, strategy, and the performance of your chosen players determine your winnings.

What is fantasy sports contests?

Fantasy sports contests are events in which participants submit their virtual teams to rival others. They often include entrance fees, award pools, or leaderboard standings depending on team performance.