Employment Opportunities in Indian Sport

India’s sporting industry is a rapidly growing, creating exciting opportunities for those passionate about working in the field.

A significant part of this growth stems from government initiatives that have propelled the industry forward. Programmes such as Khelo India and the Fit India Movement are designed to support both elite athletes and grassroots participation, fostering development at all levels.

These initiatives have driven increased interest in professional sports leagues such as the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Indian Super League (ISL). The rising spectatorship—evident from the opening game of the 2024 IPL season attracting approximately 168 million viewers—has led to greater investment in the industry. This, in turn, has fuelled demand for professionals across various sectors, from sports administration to data analytics.

Recently, GIS hosted a webinar as part of our Insight Series , featuring GIS graduate and sports agent Aman Jain, who shared his firsthand perspective on employment prospects in India.

“There are a lot of opportunities coming up now.

Sports management as a career option is growing. Ireland, Australia, and the UK are quite developed when it comes to marketing, but India is now a great opportunity. Many companies are evolving into sports conglomerates that own teams globally, creating even more job opportunities.”

India is currently experiencing a surge in sport-related careers, similar to trends seen in other countries.

For instance, the rise of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and various women’s football initiatives have opened doors for professionals specialising in women’s sports development. We are seeing similar trends in sports technology. Similarly, the sports technology sector—enhancing performance analysis and fan experiences—is projected to grow by 85%, reaching £4.6 billion by 2029. 

Other key areas include sports marketing and sponsorship, where brands investing in sports require professionals to build brand connections through sponsorships and advertising.

As part of a wider industry set to reach $130 billion by 2030, cricket remains a dominant force behind employment growth. Aman shared his personal experience working in the sport:

“There’s a lot of work to be done in India when it comes to cricket. That’s why I left the UK and came back to India.”

If you’d like to deepen your understanding of the industry and take the next step in your career, browse our selection of postgraduate courses here.

Article by Zakaria Anani