Inside India's esports boom: Why leagues, careers and homegrown IP matter more than ever

India has around 600 million gamers and is one of the fastest-growing gaming markets, with mobile gaming revenue projected to grow from USD 1.1 billion in 2025 to USD 2.4 billion by 2029.

The India State of Play 2026 report by Naavik and MIXI Global Investments notes the market's monetisation has more than doubled over the past five years.

India's gaming market is projected to record a 17.1% CAGR between 2025 and 2029, ahead of the global average, with over 2,000 gaming companies employing more than 130,000 professionals.

Industry leaders are shifting focus from attracting players to building sustainable leagues, careers, intellectual property, and businesses to support long-term growth.

Policymakers continue drawing clearer distinctions between esports and other forms of online gaming, while franchise leagues, broadcast partnerships, and professional organisations are emerging.