As the Indian Premier League (IPL) gets underway, with 10 franchise teams competing against each other across 13 cities, another cricketing season is hotting up in a parallel universe—fantasy sports. Building on the momentum in the past few editions of the highly popular and successful cricket league, the fantasy gaming industry in India is expecting its revenue to surge by 25-30% compared to 2024, reaching $500-$525 million during IPL 2025.
“The fantasy sports industry in India continues to see impressive growth, driven by the country’s deep passion for cricket, increased smartphone penetration, and affordable internet. While specific figures for IPL 2025 are still emerging, projections indicate a revenue boost of 25-30%, with earnings estimated between $500 million and $525 million,” said Roland Landers, CEO of All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), an apex industry body for online gaming in India.
“The IPL has become more than just a cricketing event—it’s a massive driver of growth for the fantasy sports industry. Every season, we see record-breaking engagement, and IPL 2025 is set to push those numbers even higher, with platforms continuing to attract millions of new users,” he added.
My11Circle, a leading fantasy gaming platform and a part of homegrown online gaming company Games24x7, is also optimistic about the continued growth this IPL season. “Last year, we saw remarkable growth, with over 50% more teams created in the first two weeks and a 50% increase in mega prize winners. This IPL, we anticipate building on that momentum, further strengthening My11Circle’s position in the fantasy sports arena,” said Saroj Panigrahi, chief operating officer of Games24x7.
My11Circle recently announced its partnership with JioStar as a co-presenting partner for the official digital streaming of Tata IPL 2025. My11Circle is also the official associate partner of Tata IPL, which is in its second year of a five-year association with the marquee tournament.
“My11Circle’s five-year partnership as the associate partner of the Tata IPL allows us to build further on the immense enthusiasm for cricket in India, connecting with millions of passionate fans. Our comprehensive 360-degree marketing strategy – encompassing strategic partnerships both on and off field, including TV, digital, and beyond—is designed to amplify our brand and enhance user engagement throughout the IPL season,” added Panigrahi.
India has a huge youth population that is tech-savvy and is passionate about sports, especially cricket. “Fantasy sports have provided this audience a more engaging and immersive way to actively participate in the sport and see their favourite players perform well, taking fan engagement to a whole new level,” said Namratha Swamy, COO of online skill-gaming platform Mobile Premier League (MPL).
The Indian fantasy sports industry reported revenue of Rs 9,100 crore in FY24, accounting for 4% of the global industry, as per a report released by Deloitte India and the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports earlier this year. The global market is valued at Rs 2.1 lakh crore.
The industry in India has experienced rapid expansion in recent years, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30% between FY22 and FY24. It is expected to reach Rs 12,900 crore by FY29, the report added.
Besides fantasy sports, companies like MPL are also looking for new ways to make gaming more engaging. Take for example, Cricket 100X. It gives cricket fans a fresh way to interact with the sport with a mix of strategy and real-world cricket insights—even beyond live matches. “Our goal is to create a complete and secure gaming destination that keeps users entertained year-round,” added Swamy.
Meanwhile, the impact of IPL is going beyond just fantasy cricket. The surge in user activity during the IPL also spills over into other skill-based games, with multi-gaming platforms reporting increased traction across various formats. “Fans who start with IPL often stay engaged with different sports and even explore other competitive gaming experiences, making this more than just a seasonal trend—it’s shaping a broader, year-round gaming ecosystem,” added Landers of AIGF.