Esports in India has transformed from a niche hobby to a booming industry, fueled by mobile gaming giants like PUBG Mobile and the rise of professional leagues. With a projected market size of INR 10,487 crore by 2026 and a gamer base of nearly 591 million in 2024, India is cementing its place as a global esports powerhouse. This blog dives into the journey of esports in India, from the PUBG Mobile craze to the establishment of pro leagues, and explores the factors driving its explosive growth as we head into 2025.
The PUBG Mobile Phenomenon: A Game-Changer for Indian Esports
The rise of esports in India can be traced back to the early 2000s with LAN gaming cafes, where gamers gathered for multiplayer sessions of titles like Counter-Strike and Dota. However, it was the launch of PUBG Mobile in 2018 that truly democratized competitive gaming. With affordable smartphones and cheap data plans, PUBG Mobile became a cultural phenomenon, attracting millions of players across metro and non-metro areas. By 2020, India was the largest market for mobile game downloads globally, with over 7.3 billion downloads, many driven by PUBG Mobile’s battle royale format.
Tournaments like the PUBG Mobile Club Open (PMCO) in 2019, which saw over 400,000 participants, showcased India’s appetite for competitive gaming. These events offered substantial prize pools and a platform for amateur players to compete with professionals, laying the groundwork for a vibrant esports ecosystem. Despite the ban on PUBG Mobile in 2020 due to geopolitical concerns, its successor, Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), quickly filled the void, maintaining the momentum with events like the BGIS 2025, boasting a ₹3.2 crore prize pool—a 60% increase from previous years.
Mobile gaming, particularly titles like BGMI, Free Fire, and Call of Duty Mobile, remains the backbone of Indian esports, with 94% of gamers engaging on mobile platforms. This accessibility has expanded the player base beyond urban centers, with Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities contributing significantly to the growth of grassroots tournaments.
From Casual Gaming to Professional Leagues
The transition from casual gaming to structured professional leagues marks a pivotal shift in India’s esports landscape. Organizations like NODWIN Gaming and the Esports Federation of India (ESFI) have been instrumental in establishing local and national tournaments, such as the ESL India Premiership and the Indian Gaming League. These platforms have nurtured talent and provided pathways for players to compete on global stages, exemplified by India’s bronze medal in DOTA 2 at the 2022 Commonwealth Esports Championship and a silver in Tekken 8 at the 2024 BRICS Esports Championship.
Professional teams like Entity Gaming, S8UL Esports, and Team Soul have elevated India’s presence in international tournaments, competing in titles like Valorant, CS:GO, and BGMI. The rise of these teams has been supported by corporate sponsorships from brands like iQOO, Coca-Cola, and Logitech, which see esports as a gateway to India’s youth demographic. In 2024, non-endemic brands (those not directly tied to gaming) also entered the scene, with partnerships like Vodafone Idea and Team Vitality, signaling esports’ growing mainstream appeal.
Government recognition has further legitimized esports as a sport. In 2022, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports classified esports as a ‘multisport event,’ aligning it with traditional sports like cricket and football. This paved the way for initiatives like the National Centre of Excellence for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) in Mumbai and the upcoming WAVES Esports Championship 2025, backed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Such support has boosted infrastructure development and grassroots participation, with states like Bihar and Nagaland hosting school-level tournaments.
Key Drivers of Esports Growth in 2025
As we look toward 2025, several factors are poised to propel India’s esports industry to new heights:
- Mobile-First Market and 5G Adoption: India’s mobile-first gaming culture, coupled with the rollout of 5G, is reducing latency and enhancing the competitive gaming experience. By 2025, 30% of wireless connections are expected to use 5G, enabling smoother gameplay for FPS titles like Valorant and cloud gaming for AAA titles.
- Growing Viewership and Streaming Platforms: Esports viewership is projected to reach 85 million by 2025, driven by platforms like YouTube Gaming, Twitch, and Loco. Streamers like Mortal and PayalGaming have built massive followings, with Payal becoming the first Indian female to win ‘Streamer of the Year’ at the 2024 Mobies Awards. Live streaming is fostering a diverse fan base, including a growing number of female viewers (46% of gamers in India are women).
- Increased Investment and Sponsorships: Venture capital has poured $438 million into Indian gaming startups since 2020, with major publishers like Garena and Krafton investing heavily. The industry’s economic impact is expected to exceed ₹100 billion by 2025, driven by sponsorships, in-app purchases, and streaming ad revenue, which is projected to quadruple to ₹6.5 billion.
- Career Opportunities and Education: Esports is no longer just a hobby; it’s a viable career path. The industry employs over 40,000 people, with projections of 200,000 jobs by 2024 in roles like game development, event management, and content creation. Educational institutions are introducing esports management courses, further professionalizing the sector.
- Global Recognition and Events: India’s participation in international events like the 2022 Asian Games and the upcoming Olympic Esports Games in 2025 underscores its growing stature. The inclusion of titles like eFootball in the WAVES Esports Championship and India’s invitation to the FIFAe World Cup highlight its competitive edge.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite its rapid growth, the Indian esports industry faces challenges. Limited infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, and a lack of consistent government regulation pose hurdles. Issues like tax implications and visa complications for international tournaments have also slowed progress. Additionally, while mobile gaming dominates, the high-end PC gaming market remains niche due to cost barriers, though cloud gaming could bridge this gap in 2024 and beyond.
However, the future looks promising. The industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 18.42% from 2025 to 2033, reaching a market size of $919 million by 2033. With initiatives like the National Centre of Excellence and increasing corporate involvement, India is building a robust ecosystem. The rise of homegrown titles like Indus Battle Royale and Underworld Gang Wars also signals a shift toward culturally resonant games, which could further engage local audiences.
Conclusion: A Billion-Dollar Dream
From the PUBG Mobile frenzy to the establishment of professional leagues, India’s esports journey reflects its youthful energy and technological prowess. As the industry heads into 2025, it stands at the cusp of becoming a billion-dollar sector, driven by mobile gaming, government support, and a passionate community. With 1.5 million professional players projected by 2027 and growing global recognition, India is not just playing the game—it’s rewriting the rules.
Whether you’re a gamer, a fan, or an aspiring professional, now is the time to dive into India’s esports revolution. The stage is set, the prizes are bigger than ever, and the world is watching.
