During the forecast period, 2025 to 2035, the growing interest in adventure sports, the increased focus on a healthy lifestyle, and rising government investments in sports infrastructure are expected to drive India's sports tourism market. As per the report, the market is expected to grow from USD 14.8 Billion (2025) to USD 68.7 Billion during the period 2035, at a CAGR of 16.6% during the forecast period, considering government focus on promoting sports culture as well as world class infrastructure. The demand for sports tourism is passive, such as fans going for the major tournaments, and active, such as people going out to do adventure sports and recreational sports.
The richness of the cultural heritage of the country, together with the variety of the country's landscape, provides for diverse experiences, including traditional sports experience, trekking, water sports, and games at high altitudes. Such diversity in offerings has been encouraging tourists traveling within the country as well as to India to participate in sports tourism. Nevertheless, this segment is also subject to obstacles like poor infrastructure in certain areas, difficulty reaching some remote sporting locations, and a multitude of employed, skilled personnel and certification programs to confirm safety standards. While these challenges are significant, the growing impetus of government initiatives, private sector investments and creative partnerships between sports federations and the tour operators give India an enviable opportunity to become a global centre of excellence in sports tourism by 2035.
Market Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Market Size (2025E) | USD 14.8 Billion |
| Market Size (2035F) | USD 68.7 Billion |
| CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 16.6% |
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Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir, etc. all northern states of India have evolved as the major destination of adventure sports tourism. Skiing, paragliding, trekking and river rafting invite domestic and international tourism. Popular destinations like Gulmarg, Manali, Rishikesh and Auli are known for sports infrastructure and natural beauty. Being close to the Himalayan ranges, the region is ideal for high-altitude sports events and training camps. Its increasing fans has attracted many investments in infrastructure renewal, hotel chains, and transport facilities.
Sports tourism in the western part of India (Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra) are cricket, football and motor sports events that have significant hubs in Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad. Events such as the Mumbai Marathon and Pro Kabaddi League have become huge crowd pullers, while places like Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad have set the benchmark when it comes to world-class cricket infrastructure. The distinctive terrain of the region, including the Thar desert, has led to niche sports such as desert rallies, dune biking and camel polo, adding to sports tourism in the region.
Sports tourism activities are interspersed between traditional and modern in the southern states of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Vallam Kali (boat races) is for the world to see on Kerala’s backwaters, Karnataka’s Coorg and Chikmagalur make for mountain biking and coffee trail marathons. Chennai and Bengaluru, with their legacy of cricket and football, are important urban sports tourism markets. Kerala’s emphasis on wellness tourism integrating adventure sports and yoga retreats with Ayurveda offerings also adds a distinctive sports tourism facet that helps attract international travellers.
Eastern and northeastern states such as West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh also have great potential for sports tourism, which should be explored, Singh said. Darjeeling and Sikkim are famed for their mountain sports and trekking paths, while iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata still attracts cricket-lovers across the country. Indigenous sports traditions such as archery, wrestling and bamboo rafting in the region also contribute to a more cultural facet of sports tourism. A favourable investment climate has opened up these regions for both domestic as well as international sports tourists with investments being poured into airport connectivity, tourism infrastructure, and state-level sports policies.
Challenge
Event Logistics and Infrastructure Restrictions
The findings of the report highlight the challenges in infrastructure development, event management logistics, and accessibility for the international audience. India has hosted global sporting events, however, gaps in transportation, stadium facilities and accommodation availability continue to hinder large-scale sports tourism expansion. Moreover, regional policies are not uniform, sports tourism packages are not standardized, and spectator experience is not uniform, leading to operational challenges. In this regard, stakeholders have to put efforts to upgrade sports infrastructure, improve the connectivity of sporting venues and invest in AI-based crowd management and ticketing systems to ensure smooth organizational management for the events.
Opportunity
Wider Adventure Sports & Digital Fan Engagement
Growth Opportunities in the India Sports Tourism Market include the increasing interest in adventure sports, professional leagues, and digital fan engagement. Other outdoor adventure activities, including cricket, football, motorsports and extreme adventure activities, are increasingly sought by tourists. Sports tourism is being transformed by AI-enabled trip planning, virtual reality (VR) stadium trips, and block chain-based ticket verification. Furthermore, travel agencies, sports franchises, and digital streaming platforms are increasingly creating collaborative experiences currently for spectator engagement. Organizations embracing AI-based fan engagement, tech-savvy venue atmospheres and sustainable sports travel options will do well in this growing sector.
The India Sports Tourism Market was a rapidly growing market between 2020 and 2024, owing to the increased hosting of international sporting events, the rise in domestic sports leagues and overall higher fan travel interest. Despite adventure sports getting popular among adventure enthusiasts, cricket, football, and motor racing were still the major attractions. But modernization of stadiums, expensive ticket prices, and lack of last-mile connectivity have triggered a concern for sports tourism seamless experiences. Companies reacted by creating digital ticketing platforms, developing AI-based solutions for fan engagement as well as ramping up venue accessibility.
The future is bright for the business events industry in 2025 to 2035, with a game-changing era of AI-driven event management, block chain-secured tickets, and innovative virtual sports tourism. Sports policies. Moreover, the emergence of sustainable sports venues will reduce the environmental footprint, while AI-supported crowd analytics and hyper-personalized strategies will revolutionize the way fans interact with their teams. The next phase of growth in the India Sports Tourism Market will be driven by companies adopting technological innovation, sustainability along with digital first sports tourism models.
Market Shifts: A Comparative Analysis 2020 to 2024 vs. 2025 to 2035
| Market Shift | 2025 to 2035 Projections |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Landscape | Compliance with sports event regulations and spectator safety laws |
| Technological Advancements | Growth in digital ticketing, AI-based crowd control, and sports streaming |
| Industry Adoption | Increased demand for cricket, football, and adventure sports tourism |
| Supply Chain and Sourcing | Dependence on traditional stadium infrastructure and event logistics providers |
| Market Competition | Presence of traditional travel agencies and sports event organizers |
| Market Growth Drivers | Demand for live sports experiences, adventure sports, and digital engagement |
| Sustainability and Energy Efficiency | Initial adoption of green stadium initiatives and eco-friendly sports events |
| Integration of Smart Monitoring | Limited real-time tracking of spectator behaviour and crowd density analytics |
| Advancements in Sports Tourism | Use of digital booking platforms and traditional stadium experiences |
| Market Shift | 2025 to 2035 Projections |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Landscape | Expansion of AI-powered security monitoring, block chain ticket authentication, and automated compliance tracking. |
| Technological Advancements | Widespread adoption of VR stadium tours, AI-driven fan engagement, and 5G-enabled live sporting experiences. |
| Industry Adoption | Expansion into AI-personalized sports travel, smart venue analytics, and interactive digital fan ecosystems. |
| Supply Chain and Sourcing | Shift toward AI-optimized event management, block chain-secured sports ticketing, and smart transportation networks. |
| Market Competition | Rise of AI-powered sports tourism platforms, immersive fan engagement start-ups, and decentralized sports ticketing solutions. |
| Market Growth Drivers | Increased investment in AI-driven event personalization, met averse-based sports travel, and sustainable sports venue development. |
| Sustainability and Energy Efficiency | Large-scale implementation of net-zero energy stadiums, AI-driven sustainability tracking, and carbon-neutral sports tourism practices. |
| Integration of Smart Monitoring | AI-enhanced fan sentiment analysis, real-time occupancy management, and block chain-verified sports ticket distribution. |
| Advancements in Sports Tourism | Evolution of AI-personalized sports journeys, immersive VR fan interactions, and real-time smart event logistics. |
India’s north region is becoming a major market for sports tourism which is fueled by the region’s extensive infrastructure for cricket, adventure sports, along with international sporting events. ‘So, major sports-related tourism is visible in cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, and Jaipur with multiple international and national cricket and other sports tournaments happening.Meanwhile, adventure sports tourism is on the rise in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand as more are interested in skiing, trekking and river rafting. The increasing government measures for snapping rural and winter sports tourism are fuelling the market growth.
| Region | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Northern India | 16.9% |
Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa are leading the western corridor of growth in sports tourism. The cricket arena evolved rapidly, and so did the infrastructure including the stadiums in two of the biggest city of the nation, Mumbai and Ahmedabad, that are not only hosting International Matches but also IPL matches and International sporting events.Scuba diving, parasailing, and jet skiing continue to lure domestic and international tourists to Goa and water sports tourism is a huge draw here. Gujarat’s budding Formula 1 circuit, as well as sports academies, also have the region on track to become a motorsports tourism hot spot in the near future.
| Region | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Western India | 17.2% |
Southern India is becoming a top region for sports tourism, its vibrant football, and cricket and adventure sports ecosystem fueling the fire. International sports tournaments, ISL football matches and motorsports events are being held in cities such as Bengaluru, Chennai and in Hyderabad.With more enthusiasm for kayaking, trekking and cycling expeditions, Kerala and Tamil Nadu are in the path of growth in eco-adventure sports tourism. Even Sports academies and fitness retreats in Karnataka are gaining attention among tourists pursuing high-performance training programs.
| Region | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Southern India | 17.4% |
Sports tourism is booming in the Eastern and North-eastern region with footfall from football, adventure sports, indigenous sporting events, etc. Places like West Bengal, Assam, and Meghalaya are participating more in football tournaments and martial arts training camps.Eco-tourism and extreme adventure sports have led to growth of mountain biking, river rafting and paragliding in North Eastern states, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh attracting tourists. Moreover, government initiatives to promote traditional sports like archery and indigenous martial arts are also kindling sports tourism in the region.
| Region | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Eastern and North-eastern India | 16.8% |
The cricket and motor sport niches exercise firm hold in the Indian sport tourism sector with international and local tourists alike more eager to partake in sport-based activities, high-profile sporting events, and enhanced fan experience options. These sporting niches are paramount in fueling tourism, stimulating national economies, and positioning India as a prime tourist destination for global sports enthusiasts and thus hold a pivotal role for event managers, travel service organizations, and the hospitality industry.
Cricket is India's strongest sport in the realm of sports tourism with millions of global and domestic followers rushing to major events such as the Indian Premier League (IPL), ICC Cricket World Cup, and international series between giant cricket nations. Cricket possesses strong cultural roots like no other sport, which guarantees mass-level viewers' involvement, high tourist inflow, and massive-scale economic returns.
Greater demand for experiential cricket tourist products such as matchday holiday packages, off-field stadium tours, and fan initiatives has driven up take-up of sports tourism with a cricket theme as followers flock for first-hand experience at iconic cricketing stadiums such as Wankhede Stadium, Eden Gardens, and M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Studies indicate that over 65% of international visitors coming to India to witness sporting action come to witness cricket matches, and there will be fantastic demand for this segment as well.
Improvement of high-quality hospitality facilities at cricket venues, such as corporate suites, VIP boxes, and luxury hospitality lounges, has also created further market demand in order to drive wider usage of luxury cricket tourism packages.
Adoption has also been driven by the use of AI-powered sports analytics platforms, such as player real-time information, interactive stadium experience, and AI-powered match prediction, which ensures enhanced fan experience and enhanced digital sports tourism experiences.
Cricket-oriented tour experiences, such as historic museum tours of cricket, training camp tours, and exclusive meet-and-greet sessions with all-time great cricketers, have intensified market growth, ensuring increased engagement of foreign cricket fans in India's sporting tourism economy.
Employment of fan-oriented tour packages, such as team-based tour groups, theme-based accommodations, and stadium benefits, has substantiated market growth, ensuring increased association and allegiance of cricket tourists.
Despite its dominance in popularity, economic value, and international fan base, the cricket tourism sector has some disadvantages such as unpredictable match timetables, seasonality, and inflation in travel costs. Nevertheless, emerging technologies in AI-driven sports booking websites, blockchain-driven ticket verification, and dynamic sports tourism package pricing models are enhancing efficiency, security, and convenience, and thus paving the way for long-term market growth in cricket tourism in India.
Motorsports has also gained strong market acceptability, particularly from high-speed sports fans, adventure travelers, and high-end sports enthusiasts, as India heavily invests in motorsport infrastructure, high-end motor racing events, and track-based recreational touristic activities. Motorsports tourism diverges from other team sports, with focus on high-adrenaline experience, track environment, and high-end fan experience, and is thus a rich and dynamically evolving market niche.
Increased demand for premium motorsports action, such as Formula 1, MotoGP, and national endurance car racing championships, has triggered application of motorsports tourism, where Indian and global fans seek premium sports travel activity at premium racing circuits such as the Buddh International Circuit and Madras Motor Race Track. Research indicates that far more than 45% of motor sport travelers in India fall under the high-net-worth category, thereby driving the demand for premium sports tourist experience.
Motorsports-holiday experience development, such as VIP pit lane excursions, meet-and-greets with drivers, and personalized racing simulations, has created market demand, ensuring increased adoption of high-end packages for racing event tourism.
Implementation of AI-driven motorsports fans engagement, such as live race analysis, virtual reality preview of racing tracks, and live updates of race strategy, has also driven increased adoption, ensuring higher engagement for motorsports tourists.
Motor sport adventure tourism, in the form of track-day experiences, supercar driving tours, and off-road rally driving experiences, has peaked market growth to become increasingly desirable for adventure sport tourists.
Usage of high-grade racing tourism packages, such as luxury accommodation, chartered private flight service to race venues, and VIP hospitality to races, has facilitated market growth, being more enjoyable and rewarding for India's motor sport industry.
While it has the advantage of exclusivity, high-adrenaline sports, and luxury travel convergence, the motorsports tourism industry is bedeviled by issues such as a lack of racing circuits, expensive event operating costs, and regulatory constraints on motorsport activities. Nonetheless, emerging trends in electric vehicle (EV) motorsports, artificial intelligence-driven race simulations, and blockchain-enabled motorsport sponsorship platforms are rationalizing the industry, making it green, and fan-focused, which is propelling motorsports tourism to expand steadily in India.
The sports event tourism and nostalgia sports tourism sectors are two of the most important market drivers, with sports tourists now adding live event watching and legacy sports heritage experience to their vacation packages.
Event sports tourism has been the most popular type, providing visitors with access to large sporting events, multi-night tournament stays, and high-end hospitality at the venues of sport. Event tourism, in contrast to passive sports tourism, is targeted at the on-venue experience of major sport events with more fan activity and economic spending.
International sports event tourism development, including overseas sporting events like the ICC Cricket World Cup international sporting events, Indian Grand Prix, and final stages of the Pro Kabaddi League, has encouraged adoption of sports event tourism in India as tourists pay increasing attention to live-action sport events.
Even as it holds a lead over fan engagement, money contribution, and VIP privilege, sports event tourism is plagued by uncertain availability of tickets, excessive accommodation fees at peak events, and impulsive travel reservations. Yet, the latest technology innovations in AI-powered ticket reservations, blockchain-secure event tickets, and real-time sports event price systems are enhancing efficiency, convenience, and affordability, as the sports event tourism sector grows in India.
The nostalgia sports tourism market has experienced overall market acceptance, especially by heritage sports consumers, heritage tourists, and veteran sports followers, as India continues to invest in maintaining sports heritage, historic stadium walks, and fan-driven stories experiences. Unlike event tourism, nostalgia tourism relies on sporting past legacies, memorable events, and sports heritage sites, and therefore it is a permanent market segment.
Increased demand for experience sports history experiences like tours of vintage stadiums, sports memorabilia museums, and interactive sports museums has driven adoption of nostalgia sports tourism because tourists are looking for cultural and historical ties to their favorite sports.
Apart from its year-round availability, cultural appeal, and multi-generational pull, the nostalgia sports tourism industry is faced with challenges such as infrastructural lag, unexploited sports heritage sites, and poor interactive fan experience technologies. Nevertheless, forthcoming innovations in AI-based sports stories, VR-based stadium tours, and gamified sports history travel are improving visitor experience, historic maintenance, and sports tourism top-line generation, thereby supporting the future of India's nostalgia sports tourism.
The present growth of India sports tourism market can be attributed to surging demand for live sports events, adventure tourism, and fitness-oriented travel experiences. AI-powered event booking platforms, digital ticketing solutions, and immersive sports travel experiences are just a few of the innovations driving at the intersection of fan engagement, accessibility, and sports-based tourism revenue among companies and tourism operators leading the way. Some of the sub-markets include sports event organizers, tour and travel agencies, hospitality brands, and adventure tourism providers, all of whom are keen to leverage technology for smart ticketing, AI-powered fan behavior analysis, and block chain technology for sports travel security.
Market Share Analysis by Key Players & Event Organizers
| Company/Organization Name | Estimated Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) – IPL & ICC Events | 20-25% |
| IMG Reliance (Sports Marketing & Travel Experiences) | 12-16% |
| DreamSetGo (Premium Sports Travel Packages) | 10-14% |
| Thomas Cook India (Sports Travel Division) | 8-12% |
| Fanatic Sports (Luxury Sports Travel & Hospitality) | 5-9% |
| Other Operators & Event Organizers (combined) | 30-40% |
Key Company & Event Offerings
| Company/Organization Name | Key Offerings/Activities |
|---|---|
| BCCI (IPL & International Cricket Events) | Organizes global cricket tournaments, AI-powered fan engagement, and smart stadium experiences. |
| IMG Reliance | Specializes in sports marketing, athlete management, and premium sports tourism experiences. |
| DreamSetGo | Provides VIP sports travel packages, athlete meet-and-greet experiences, and high-end sports event hospitality. |
| Thomas Cook India | Offers customized sports travel solutions, including adventure sports packages and live event tourism. |
| Fanatic Sports | Focuses on luxury sports travel, including exclusive stadium seating, corporate hospitality, and sports tour packages. |
BCCI (20-25%)
The BCCI dominates the India sports tourism segment with various global-level cricket events, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), the ICC tournaments, and bilateral series, combining AI-powered fan analytics and immersive live experiences.
IMG Reliance (12-16%)
IMG Reliance also creates sports-marketing and athlete-endorsement opportunities as well as luxury sports tourism solutions that guarantee corporate travel integration and fan engagement programs.
DreamSetGo (10-14%)
DreamSetGo is your one-stop solution for premium sports experiences, offering tailor-made hospitality packages for live events ranging from cricket and football to motorsports globally.
Thomas Cook India (8-12%)
Thomas Cook India creates customized sports tourism experiences encompassing affordable fan travel packages, adventure sports tourism, AI-based event booking, and more.
Fanatic Sports (5-9%)
Fanatic Sports specializes in VIP sports tourism experiences that comes with premium seating, exclusive access to luxury stadiums, and hospitality available through corporate sponsorships.
Other Key Players (30-40% Combined)
Next-gen sports tourism innovations, AI-based fan engagement, and smart ticketing solutions are the leading contributions of several event organizers, sports travel platforms, and adventure tourism operators. These include:
The overall market size for India Sports Tourism Market was USD 14.8 Billion in 2025.
The India Sports Tourism Market expected to reach USD 68.7 Billion in 2035.
The demand for India’s sports tourism market will be driven by rising international sporting events, government initiatives, growing fan engagement, improved infrastructure, and increased interest in adventure and wellness sports. The popularity of cricket, football, and traditional sports will further boost inbound and domestic sports tourism.
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