Indian sports economy crosses $2 billion: WPP Media report The Indian sports economy has crossed the $2 billion mark for the first time in 2025, according to WPP Media’s latest Sporting Nation report. The market has nearly doubled since 2021, growing from Rs 9,530 crore at an 18.6% CAGR, driven by media rights, sponsorship, and endorsements. The report highlights that the sports economy reached Rs 8,864 crore in 2025, up 13.4% from Rs 16,633 crore in 2024. Cricket continued to dominate the ecosystem, contributing 89% of total industry revenues in 2025, up from 85% the previous year. In absolute terms, cricket generated ₹16,704 crore, growing 17.9% year-on-year. Its share across segments remained high, accounting for 81% of sponsorship spends, 87% of endorsements, and 95% of media spends. The Indian Premier League remained central to this growth cycle, supported by an active international calendar, including India’s Champions Trophy win and the women’s team’s ODI World Cup victory, alongside the expansion of the Women’s Premier League. Media spend emerged as the largest segment, contributing 51% of the overall industry value. Advertising investments rose 19.8% year-on-year to Rs 9,571 crore. Television advertising grew 16.4% to Rs 5,117 crore, while digital grew faster at 24% to Rs 4,449 crore. Sponsorship spends grew at a slower pace of 7% to Rs 7,943 crore, accounting for 42% of the total industry. The report attributes this to premiumisation and better monetisation of existing assets rather than inventory expansion. The exit of real money gaming advertisers created gaps, though these were partly offset by other sectors. Sports celebrity endorsements reached Rs 1,350 crore in 2025, up 10.3% year-on-year. Cricket accounted for 87% of this segment, contributing Rs 1,178 crore.#champions_trophy #wpp_media #indian_premlier_league #women_s_premier_league #ashwin_padmanabhan
