Fantasy Sports has become an extremely popular activity in India, and people have moved past playing it just as a pastime and have started playing competitively, trying to use the online gaming platform as a way to earn money. In recent years, particularly in India, they have captured the imagination of millions of fans, merging the passion for real-time sports with the thrill of strategic gameplay. This blend of sports fandom and gaming has birthed an entire industry that has transformed how fans engage with their favourite sports. This article talks about the popularity of fantasy sports in India and how many users engage with such online platforms.
Fantasy sports gained traction in India in the early 2010s, coinciding with the country’s growing digital landscape. The launch of platforms such as Dream11 marked a significant milestone, providing an accessible platform for millions of users to start participating in fantasy leagues. The introduction of a platform like Dream11 was a game-changer and marked a turning point for fantasy sport in India. Since its launch, its popularity has skyrocketed beyond imagination, with the capability to make and manage teams involving your favourite sports teams and players alongside the monetary aspect provided, making it an extremely interesting avenue.
It is reported that as of January 2025, over 130 million people in India engage online on fantasy sports platforms. Cricket is considered a religion in India, which is why it comes as no surprise that cricket is the number one fantasy sport in India, bringing in massive crowds. With domestic tournaments like the Indian Premier League, alongside many others taking place in India, there are a plethora of matches and leagues that Indian players can make teams for and participate in online. This keeps the fans excited and interested year-round, which is why platforms like Dream11 enjoy traffic on their apps and websites throughout the year.
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The fantasy sport industry in India has seen remarkable growth in recent years. A report by FICCI estimated that the market could reach around $5 billion in 2025, fueled by increased participation and investment from leading tech companies and venture capitalists. Major players in and around this industry, like Dream11, MPL (Mobile Premier League), and My11Cricle, have raised substantial funding and expanded their offerings to include other sports beyond cricket, such as football and kabaddi. The number of players engaging in online sports games is only going to continue to rise in the future, and it will soon become one of India’s biggest industries.
Over 130 million people play fantasy sports in India, with the numbers growing rapidly due to mobile accessibility and sports enthusiasm.
Fantasy sports are popular in India due to cricket’s immense fanbase, user-friendly apps like Dream11, and competitive gameplay.
Fantasy cricket dominates in India, thanks to the popularity of the IPL, international cricket, and local leagues.
Fantasy sports in India are growing at over 30% annually, fuelled by smartphone penetration and online payment platforms.
Platforms like Dream11, My11Circle, and MPL are leading the fantasy sport industry in India.
The thrill of competition, rewards, and a deeper connection to real-world sports attract users to fantasy sports in India.
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Guransh Machra is a sportswriter at Gutshot Magazine. He covers football news from local leagues like the Indian Super League as well as international leagues like the Premier League. He follows various sports like Football, Cricket, Formula 1, and Tennis. Apart from sports, Guransh is also enthusiastic about reading and gaming.
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