Tanushree Basuroy
Research expert covering India
eSports in India - statistics & facts
E-sports in India has made great strides in recent years, having received official recognition from the Indian government in 2022 and having sent an e-sports contingent to participate in the Asian Games held in Hangzhou in 2023. The multi-million dollar market currently accounts for a small percentage of India's overall gaming revenue.
Additionally, gaming influencers have been key to boosting e-sports viewership in the country, with Dynamo Gaming being the most popular e-sports streaming channel on YouTube. Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) and Valorant were among the most watched e-sports titles in 2024.
As the largest South Asian e-sports market, India successfully secured investments from more than 70 brands. Among these investors were major gaming companies, such as Krafton Inc., that frequently organized numerous eSports events nationwide. More than 200 million Indian rupees were awarded as prize money over the course of 2021. However, the banning of certain game titles and the levying of 28 percent GST on online gaming by the government resulted in a decline in prize pools the following year. Despite this, industry forecasts predicted a surge in prize money 2023 onwards.
The upward trajectory of Indian eSports
Although categorized under online gaming, e-sports is slowly being acknowledged as a professional sport comparable to football and hockey. India has hosted several tournaments on national and international levels, the biggest event being the Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series with the largest prize pool. The government's push for gaming upskilling was further expected to draw in sponsorships and investments.Additionally, gaming influencers have been key to boosting e-sports viewership in the country, with Dynamo Gaming being the most popular e-sports streaming channel on YouTube. Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) and Valorant were among the most watched e-sports titles in 2024.
Representation in the international eSports arena
India has been gearing up to close the gap with other leading eSports countries. Over the years to come, the number of Indian eSports athletes is expected to grow to approximately 1.5 million by financial year 2025. Similarly, the number of eSports teams preparing to compete on the national and international levels was also forecasted to rise. Moreover, having qualified for the eSports segment of the postponed Asian Games 2022, India participated in four e-sports medal events, namely, League of Legends, FC Online, DOTA2, Street Fighter V in September 2023.As the largest South Asian e-sports market, India successfully secured investments from more than 70 brands. Among these investors were major gaming companies, such as Krafton Inc., that frequently organized numerous eSports events nationwide. More than 200 million Indian rupees were awarded as prize money over the course of 2021. However, the banning of certain game titles and the levying of 28 percent GST on online gaming by the government resulted in a decline in prize pools the following year. Despite this, industry forecasts predicted a surge in prize money 2023 onwards.
