Indians love being on their phones! The pervasiveness of technology into the Indian is evident in the rapid revolution of the e-sports industry. What was once considered a highbrow leisure has transformed into a disruptive, barrier-breaking sector, where individuals across all socioeconomic spectrums now have a level playing ground. With an anticipated market size of $140 million by 2027, driven by a staggering compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32%, E-sports is set to revamp the Indian landscape of sports and entertainment.
The e-sports sponsorship ecosystem has hence turned out to be an economically profitable and promising one; thus, attracting investments from sports magnates and corporates alike. According to industry reports, sponsorship investments in e-sports are led by:
E-sports has given birth to a new breed of athletes—professional gamers who stream, attracting huge dedicated fanbases. This new generation of live game streaming has now encouraged sports management companies and brands to seek such athletes for long term endorsements. The loyal fans of such streamers make them ideal candidates for influencer marketing and brand endorsements. E-sports athletes are leveraging social media platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and Discord to build communities, fostering audience engagement and brand-consumer connections beyond traditional advertising channels.
Player endorsements in E-sports will soon become the norm as it already has in mainstream sports, where athletes become brand ambassadors. Influencer marketing through these streamers and gaming media personalities will be the next era of sport partnerships.
This makes the trajectory of India's E-sports industry highly promising, with projections estimating the market penetration to reach $919 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 18.42%. Several homeland-specific trends are contributing to this. For example, mobile gaming dominates India’s e-sports growth, as opposed to global markets where PC and console gaming have become the standard scene. With over 500 million smartphone users, first-person shooter games are fan-favorites for Indians. In 2023, the Indian government officially recognized the potential of the industry and the need to evaluate and set better regulatory frameworks and support for industry expansion.
For investing brands and gaming leagues, sponsorship management would soon become an indispensable requirement to be sustainable in the future.
ITW Universe was one of the trailblazers in E-sports, forging partnerships with The Emirates E-Sports Federation to launch the E-Gaming League (EGL). The coming decade will see an outpouring of brand collaborations, athlete sponsorships, and fan-driven gaming economies; ITW will be best positioned to help these brands navigate and make the best out of the dynamic digital sporting landscape.
