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Top 10 Most Popular Sports In India (2025 Rankings)

July 24, 2025

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Sports have always brought magic to India, uniting millions in celebration, heartbreak, and pure joy. The fans feel so connected to their sport that they can stay up late at night, catching their team play an overseas game. Such is the popularity of a few sports in India.

Cricket leads as one of the most popular and loved sports in India, followed by Football, badminton, and tennis. 

This article explores India’s top 10 most popular sports, revealing what makes each special and why they mean so much to Indian fans.

Sports That Rule India: Quick Overview

Cricket is one of the most famous sports in India, creating memories that can never be forgotten. 

Below is the list of the top 10 sports that rule India in 2025: 

RankSportMaximum
Viewership From [Platform]  
Key Tournaments/LeaguesNotable Stars
1CricketTV & Stadium IPL, ICC World CupVirat Kohli, Rohit Sharma
2FootballTV & StadiumISL, FIFA World CupSunil Chhetri
3Field HockeyMostly TVHockey India League, OlympicsManpreet Singh
4BadmintonTVBWF Championships, OlympicsPV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal
5KabaddiTVPro Kabaddi LeaguePardeep Narwal, Rahul Chaudhari
6TennisTV&stadium Grand Slams, Davis CupSania Mirza, Rohan Bopanna
7WrestlingTVOlympics, World Wrestling ChampionshipsBajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat
8AthleticsMostly TVOlympics, Asian GamesNeeraj Chopra
9BasketballTV & OTTNBA India Games, UBASatnam Singh
10BoxingMostly TVOlympics, World Boxing ChampionshipsVijender Singh, Mary Kom

Note: The above information is obtained from sources like BARC India, news websites, and a lot more 

Top 10 Most Popular Sports in India – Origin, Top Players, and Events

People in India follow sports with passion, both on the field and on screen. 

Sports inspire millions of people to pursue careers in sports in India, with Bollywood sports movies playing a significant role in supporting this cause.

Here are the top 10 sports that win the most hearts.

1. Cricket

Origin Year1721 (first recorded match in India)
Popularity The most popular sport, followed by 90% of Indians
Notable PlayersSachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma 
Notable Event(s)IPL 2025 Final, ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Youth ParticipationWidely played at school/college levels & local tournaments

Cricket came to India during British rule in the 1700s, with the Calcutta Cricket Club starting in 1792, and has stayed for good till now. 

Over the years, Cricket has grown into the country’s most loved sport. 

Cricket
Source: BCCI 

India’s love for cricket became even stronger after the 1983 World Cup win, which proved that the team could beat the best in the world. 

Fans enjoy all formats of the game —Test matches for their depth, ODIs for balance, T20s for excitement, and the IPL for its fast pace and star power.

According to ICC research, cricket now has over one billion fans globally, with 90 percent of them residing in India. 

Players like Virat Kohli, with millions of followers, are proof of cricket’s huge influence.

Today, cricket is more than just a sport in India. It brings people together, creates jobs, and continues to grow, with women now also actively winning many matches for India. 

2. Football

Origin Year1850s 
Popularity Followed by over 150 million fans in India
Notable PlayersSunil Chhetri, Bhaichung Bhutia
Notable Event(s)Indian Super League (ISL), FIFA World Cup 
International Ranking133rd [FIFA Ranking] 
Youth ParticipationRapidly growing in schools and clubs nationwide

Football came to India in the 1850s through British soldiers and grew with the start of the Calcutta Football League in 1898, one of Asia’s oldest leagues. 

This gave the sport a strong early foundation in the country.

Football
Source: Mint 

Over time, football’s popularity in India increased, especially with the launch of the Indian Super League (ISL)

The ISL brought new energy to the game with modern stadiums, foreign club attention, better media coverage, and international players, making football more exciting and accessible to fans across the country.

Indian players like Sunil Chhetri have played a big role in inspiring the next generation of football players. 

As interest continues to grow, football in India is becoming more than just a game; it’s evolving into a movement that unites communities, inspires dreams, and fosters a stronger future for the sport.

Did you know? Football is one of the most popular sports in the Olympics, played as a team sport from 1900 to 1936.

3. Hockey

Origin YearEarly 1900s (British cavalry officers)
Popularity Popular in Punjab, Haryana, Odisha
Notable PlayersHarmanpreet Singh, PR Sreejesh
Notable Event(s)Hockey India League, Olympics
Youth ParticipationStrong in schools, rural areas, and hockey academies

Field hockey was introduced to India by British cavalry officers in the early 1900s. India soon rose to dominance, winning eight Olympic gold medals starting in 1928. 

Hockey
Source: The Print 

These victories made hockey hugely popular, especially in states like Punjab and Haryana.

To keep the sport alive and exciting, the Hockey India League was launched, bringing more attention and energy to the game. 

Today, many training programs across the country are helping young players develop their skills and carry forward India’s hockey legacy.

With renewed focus on fitness, coaching, and international exposure, Indian hockey is making a strong comeback. 

Both the men’s and women’s teams are now competing confidently on the world stage, aiming to bring back the glory the sport once enjoyed.

Also, do you know that Hockey is not the national sport of India? The RTO has clarified that no sport/game has been declared as the national game. 

4. Badminton

Origin Year1870s (introduced by British officers)
Popularity Mainly in urban areas
Notable PlayersPV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal
Notable Event(s)Premier Badminton League, BWF World Championships
Youth ParticipationGrowing rapidly through academies and schools

Badminton as a sport came to India in the 1870s and was called ‘Poona.’ The sport then grew steadily after the Badminton Association of India was formed in 1934. 

Badminton
Source: Times of India 

Over time, the sport gained a strong following, especially in urban cities where courts and clubs became more common.

The popularity of badminton rose after PV Sindhu won a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics. 

Her achievement inspired many young people across the country to take up the sport and dream of representing India on the global stage.

The Premier Badminton League has also helped boost interest by bringing top international and Indian players into the spotlight. 

Today, many schools and sports academies offer badminton training, especially in cities where the game continues to grow.

5. Kabaddi

Origin YearAncient sport, over 4,000 years old
Popularity Strong following in North India and parts of South India
Notable PlayersPardeep Narwal, Rahul Chaudhari
Notable Event(s)Pro Kabaddi League, Asian Games
Youth ParticipationPopular in rural and urban schools, growing women’s leagues

Kabaddi is an ancient Indian sport that has been played for over 4,000 years. 

Kabaddi
Source: The Economist 

It gained new life in modern times with the launch of the Pro Kabaddi League, which brought the game to television and introduced it to millions of new fans nationwide.

India’s victory at the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup made the nation proud and pushed the sport’s popularity even further. 

More people, including women and young athletes, are now taking up kabaddi, and the game is gaining global recognition.

6. Tennis

Origin Year1880s (introduced through clubs and tournaments)
Popularity Mostly in urban areas
Notable PlayersLeander Paes, Sania Mirza, Rohan Bopanna
Notable Event(s)Grand Slams, Davis Cup
Youth ParticipationGrowing through academies and junior programs

Tennis was introduced to India in the 1880s through clubs and early tournaments during British rule. 

Tennis
Source: Times of India 

Tennis is a popular sport in India, particularly in cities where courts and coaching facilities are more readily available.

A big moment for Indian tennis came in 1996 when Leander Paes won a bronze medal at the Olympics. 

His success inspired many young people to take up the sport, and tennis began gaining more attention across the country.

Today, fans in India closely follow major international events like the Grand Slams, while local tennis academies help train young talent. 

7. Wrestling

Origin YearAncient roots, traditional ‘Pehlwani’ practiced for centuries
Popularity Strong in Haryana and Punjab
Notable PlayersBajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sushil Kumar
Notable Event(s)Olympics, World Wrestling Championships
Youth ParticipationStrong through Akharas and government programs

Wrestling has been a part of Indian culture for centuries, especially through the traditional form known as Pehlwani, practiced in Akharas (wrestling arenas). 

Wrestling
Source: NDTV Sports 

These age-old training grounds have kept the sport alive across generations.

Modern wrestling gained national attention after champions like Sushil Kumar and Bajrang Punia won Olympic medals, bringing pride to the country and inspiring many young athletes. 

The sport remains especially popular in states like Haryana and Punjab, where wrestling is part of daily life.

Many young wrestlers train both in traditional Akharas and through government-supported programs. 

8. Athletics

Origin YearBritish era, early 1900s
Popularity Popular in Uran Area
Notable PlayersNeeraj Chopra, Dutee Chand
Notable Event(s)Olympics, Asian Games
Youth ParticipationGrowing rapidly with school programs and athletic meets

Athletics began in India during the British period and has steadily grown over the years. 

Athletics
Source: News Bytes 

The sport received significant recognition when Neeraj Chopra won a historic Olympic gold in javelin at the 2021 Tokyo Games, capturing national attention and inspiring many young athletes.

Big events like the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games help keep athletics in the spotlight and show the potential of Indian talent on the global stage.

Schools and sports clubs across the country are now encouraging children to take part in running, jumping, and throwing events.

With more training centers, government support, and rising role models, athletics in India is gaining popularity. The sport continues to grow as more youngsters see it as a path to success and national pride.

9. Basketball

Origin YearEarly 1900s
Popularity About 40 million fans, mostly urban
Notable PlayersSatnam Singh
Notable Event(s)NBA India Games, UBA League
Youth ParticipationGrowing in schools and local leagues

Basketball came to India in the early 1900s through YMCA programs and slowly began to spread in schools and communities. 

Basketball
Source: NDTV Sports 

The sport gained national attention in 2015 when Satnam Singh became the first Indian player drafted into the NBA, inspiring a new generation of athletes.

Events like the NBA India Games and the rise of local leagues have helped increase interest, especially in cities where courts and training are more accessible. 

These efforts have brought global excitement to the sport and made basketball more visible in India.

10. Boxing

Origin YearBritish era, a formal federation established in 1949
Popularity Mostly popular in Urban Areas 
Notable PlayersMary Kom, Vijender Singh
Notable Event(s)Olympics, World Boxing Championships
Youth ParticipationGrowing with government programs and boxing academies

Boxing began in India during British rule, and the sport became more organized with the formation of the national federation in 1949. 

Boxing
Source: The Bridge 

It gained widespread popularity after Mary Kom won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics, inspiring many young athletes, especially women.

With growing government support, improved training centers, and regular national tournaments, boxing continues to attract new talent from across the country. 

The sport is now seen as a strong path to success, discipline, and national pride.

Today, boxing is especially popular among youth who dream of representing India on the world stage. 

How We Ranked the Most Popular Sports In India? 

We ranked these popular sports in India based on a mix of factors like fan following, media coverage, historical importance, youth participation, and how well India performs in international events. 

We also looked at viewership numbers from leagues and tournaments, the social media presence of top athletes, and how the sport is growing at the grassroots level.

Why Are Such Sports Most Popular in India? 

Sports are popular in India due to their deep cultural roots and historic successes, which resonate strongly with the people. Many fans take pride in watching their favorite games.

Television, social media, and famous leagues have made sports easy to follow. 

Popular players inspire young people, and exciting tournaments mix sports with entertainment, making them enjoyable for all age groups.

Conclusion: Cricket is the Most Popular Sport In India 

India’s sports scene shows the nation’s deep love for competition, teamwork, and excellence. Cricket’s massive following and athletics’ recent success each add something special to India’s sporting story.

These sports bring people together across different states, languages, and communities. They represent hopes, dreams, and the drive to succeed that make Indian sports culture so special.

Indian sports keep growing stronger with more money, better facilities, and impressive international wins. Young athletes now have better chances than ever to chase their dreams and make India proud on the world stage.

FAQs

What is India’s second biggest sport?

Football is India’s second most popular sport with approximately 150 million fans.

Which sport is best for girls in India?

Badminton and tennis offer excellent opportunities for girls in India with successful role models like PV Sindhu and Sania Mirza.

What is the oldest sport in India?

Wrestling is considered one of India’s oldest sports, with origins dating back thousands of years.

What are the best government sports schemes in India?

Schemes like Khelo India and TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) are the best government sports schemes in India.

Who is India’s first chess Grandmaster?

Viswanathan Anand became India’s first Grandmaster in 1988 and played a key role in making chess popular across the country.

Devraj Chauhan is a sports development strategist with hands-on experience in managing tournaments, coaching programs, and infrastructure planning across India. Dedicated to promoting both indoor and outdoor games, he brings a practical perspective to grassroots sports and writes to inspire growth in community-based athletics.

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