Rony Banerjee, a leading innovation expert, highlights how India is redefining its sporting identity across fields, boardrooms, studios, and digital platforms.
India is poised for a major transformation in the sports and esports sectors, with significant investment surges forecast between 2025 and 2027.
Thought leadership insights shared by Rony Banerjee, a leading expert in innovation and strategic development, reveal how India is rapidly reshaping its sporting identity—not just on the field, but across boardrooms, broadcast studios, and blockchain-powered platforms.
A Macroeconomic Moment for Indian Sports
According to Banerjee, India’s sports journey is no longer solely about medals and matches. It is now driven by macroeconomic readiness and structural reforms.
With GDP growth of 6.5–7.2% annually, India possesses a strong economic foundation to invest heavily in sports infrastructure, athlete development, and sports technologies.
Government-backed initiatives like Khelo India and Fit India, supported by ₹3,397 crore in funding for FY24, have laid critical groundwork. The private sector is responding enthusiastically through the launch of league models, performance academies, and sports-tech startups.
Investment Signals: A New Era for Sports-Tech
Sports-tech investments in India have tripled between 2022 and 2024. Banerjee attributes this growth to a digital-first mindset in athlete development, including AI-based training, real-time analytics, and gamified fan engagement. OTT platforms have emerged as significant monetisation channels for sports beyond cricket, including kabaddi, women’s leagues, and regional tournaments.
The sector is projected to grow at 18–22% annually until 2027, driven by catalytic events such as India’s Olympic 2036 bid and upcoming Commonwealth Games participation. “Sports is no longer seen as a gamble for investors—it is a strategic growth opportunity,” Banerjee noted.
Esports: India’s Digital Arena of Opportunity
Esports is rapidly becoming a key pillar of India’s digital economy. Valued as a $1.5 billion sector in the making, esports growth is being powered by three major forces: nationwide 5G rollout, a young population (65% under 35 years of age), and the blending of education, entertainment, and engagement.
Esports has been officially recognised as part of multi-sport events, marking a significant policy shift. Investment trends show strong momentum toward talent discovery platforms, indigenous game development, and the construction of regional tournament ecosystems.
Infrastructure Growth: Tier II and III Cities Take the Lead
Banerjee highlights that the most dynamic developments are occurring in Tier II and III cities such as Indore, Bhubaneswar, and Coimbatore.
With land availability, responsive governance, and strong community engagement, these cities are seeing the rise of multi-sport complexes, AI-integrated coaching academies, and wearable-powered performance labs.
Venture capital is increasingly supporting hybrid fitness platforms that merge offline infrastructure with digital engagement, fostering innovation in health-tech and sports performance ecosystems.
Sports as Experience: The Merging of Content and Commerce
Sports today is increasingly about storytelling, digital communities, and commerce. According to Banerjee, OTT channels, creator-driven sports commentary, and fan economies are reshaping the industry. Esports is leading the way in blending Web3 technologies, NFTs, and tokenised fan interactions to build loyalty-driven communities.
Spectators are becoming stakeholders, participating actively in blockchain-backed ticketing, microtransactions, and in-game economies—turning sports into a fully immersive experience.
Managing Growth: Risks and Safeguards
Despite the optimism, Banerjee advises caution. He warns against inflating valuations of sports franchises based purely on popularity, stressing the importance of maintaining strong cash flow fundamentals. Additionally, concerns around IP theft in game development and cybersecurity vulnerabilities in digital platforms must be addressed proactively.
Encouragingly, there is an increasing trend toward AI surveillance, blockchain audits, and adoption of regulatory technologies to safeguard the sector’s expansion.
A Nation Ready to Lead
Banerjee concludes that India is at an inflection point in its sporting journey. Between 2025 and 2027, India is set to transition from an aspirational sports nation to an institutional sporting powerhouse.
With integrated athlete development systems, a booming esports sector, and growing global ambitions, India is poised not just to participate on the world stage—but to lead.
