INDIAN SPORTS INDUSTRY AT A GLANCE IN 2022 - 2023
The Indian sports industry recorded 49% growth in 2022 to reach Rs 14,209 crore; and sports sponsorship grew by 105% to reach Rs 5,907 crore.
Cricket continues to remain the dominant sport in the country, taking up 85% of the spends.
In 2022, India exported sporting goods worth US$ 280.37 million.
The Indian Sports industry employs more than 500,000 people. India currently manufactures more than 300 sports-related goods such as toys, video game consoles and articles, festive and carnival articles, gymnastics and sportswear goods, fishing articles, outdoor games, toys, etc.
Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Jammu, and West Bengal are among India's top sports goods-producing states. Among these, Jalandhar in Punjab and Meerut in Uttar Pradesh account for about 75-80% of the total production in the country.
India was the 24th largest exporter of sports goods in the world, accounting for 0.56% of the global exports of sports goods in 2022. Now for around a decade, sporting goods exports from India have witnessed growth at a CAGR of 13%.
Major exported sport items are inflatable balls and accessories, nets, general exercise equipment, boxing equipment, toys and games, protective equipment, cricket equipment, sportswear, carrom boards, and hammock.
India exports sporting goods to the USA, China, Australia, Germany, the UAE, the UK, Netherlands, France, South Africa, Sweden, Canada, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, and more than 200 countries. During 2022, the USA, the UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands were among the top importers of Indian sporting goods.
Sports goods exported to the USA have recorded significant growth of 48% to reach US$ 198.8 million, growing from US$ 134.7 million in the previous year. Similarly, exports to the UK, Australia, and Germany have increased by 42%, 32%, and 32%, reaching US$ 74.7 million, US$ 33.2 million, and US$ 32.8 million in 2022, respectively.
The UK is the largest importer of India's export of Tennis balls, inflatable balls, and other balls, followed by Australia and UAE in the same order of exports. For festive article exports, the USA is the major importer with a significant share in the overall exports. UAE is one of the key importers of articles and equipment for table tennis, tennis, badminton, and similar rackets commanding a major share of the total exports.
India's exports of Water Sports Equipment have significant demand from countries like Spain and Sri Lanka.
Did you know that the number of e-sports players in India grew four-fold, from 150,000 in 2021 to 600,000 in 2022, and is expected to grow 2.5x over the next five years to reach 1.5 million by 2027.
The Indian e-sports industry is expected to grow from $40 million in 2022 to $140 million by 2027 according industry reports.