India's sports ecosystem poised to reach $130 billion by 2030: Google Deloitte report

India's sports ecosystem is on the cusp of a major transformation, poised to reach $130 Billion by 2030, according to a new 'Think Sports: Unlocking India's $130B Sports Potential’ report by Google and Deloitte. This growth, a 14% CAGR - nearly double the pace of India's GDP - signifies a fundamental shift in how Indians consume and engage with sports, driven by increasing government investments, a rising trend of multi-sport culture, wide digital adoption, and a range of quality sports content. Beyond economic growth, sports in India hold immense potential for social change, fostering youth development and empowering communities, highlighting the need for strategic investment in grassroots development and infrastructure to drive positive impact.

The report also projects the creation of up to 10.5 million jobs and $21 billion in indirect tax revenue by 2030.This potential for social and economic growth underscores the need for collaboration across the sports ecosystem. India's booming sports sector presents a huge opportunity - from government agencies and sporting bodies to businesses, investors, content creators, and fans - to collaboratively shape the future of sports and propel the country forward.

Roma Datta Chobey, Managing Director (Interim Country Lead), Google India, said, “This is a pivotal moment for sports in India and the report outlines a clear path to unlock the value of sports for the nation. We're witnessing a surge in multi-sport fandom, a growing popularity of digital platforms, and deep engagement from Gen Z, who represent the largest segment of India's sports fanbase. These trends create a fertile ground for innovation and engagement, presenting unique opportunities for organizations and businesses to connect with passionate fans across the nation. We see immense potential in leveraging the digital ecosystem to enhance the fan experience and advance the growth of the sports sector, especially with AI-driven personalization and insights, immersive technologies, and greater digital accessibility. We are excited about the opportunities to partner with the ecosystem to drive innovation and growth in the sector.”

Romal Shetty, Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte South Asia, highlighted, “India’s potential to become a global leader in sports is both a tremendous opportunity and a powerful driver for nation-building. The ‘Think Sports’ report authored by Deloitte India and Google underlines how sports in India can go beyond competition, becoming a unifying force that fosters resilience, inclusivity, and ambition across our communities. With the advancements in technology from AI to cloud platforms, we have a unique opportunity to nurture talent from the grassroots level, reaching youth in every corner of the country. However, to fully realize this vision, we must tackle the challenges of access, infrastructure, and equitable development. By building strong public-private partnerships, we can drive sustained progress in our sports ecosystem, creating new jobs, promoting health, and enhancing India’s global standing.” “Together, we can make sports a cornerstone