The Esports Economy — Money and Sponsorships

 

Esports is no longer “just playing games.” It’s a multi-million-dollar industry. Brands like Red Bull, ASUS, and Lenovo sponsor players and tournaments. Prize pools in Indian competitions can reach ₹1 crore or more.

Beyond pro players, careers are booming in casting, event management, game design, content creation, and analytics. Colleges are even introducing Esports management courses. Esports has officially become part of the “creator economy,” where skill meets opportunity — and money follows passion.

• In India, revenue in the Esports market is projected to reach US$139.3m in 2025.
• This revenue is expected to exhibit an annual growth rate (CAGR 2025-2029) of 5.78%, leading to a projected market volume of US$174.4m by 2029.
• The largest market within this market is Esports Betting, which is anticipated to have a market volume of US$100.3m in 2025.
• Although most revenue is generated the United States with a projected market volume of US$1.2bn in 2025, India's position in the Esports market is noteworthy.
• In this sector, the number of users in India is expected to reach 147.9m users by 2029.
• User penetration in India will stand at 9.0% in 2025 and is forecasted to increase to 9.8% by 2029.
• Furthermore, the average revenue per user (ARPU) in India is expected to amount to US$1.06.
• India's esports market is witnessing a surge in popularity, driven by increasing youth engagement and a growing ecosystem of local tournaments and sponsorships.