Do you know which is the most popular sport in India? Ormax Media, known for their excellent research, came up with interesting data clarifying which is the most followed sport in India. The report they produced provides an in-depth look at the 67.8 crore sports fans in India. The study, conducted by them from November 2023 to January 2024, surveyed 12,000 sports fans living in India’s urban and rural areas. They covered 21 sports, 53 sports tournaments, and 52 clubs and franchises, along with several aspects related to the sports viewing behavior of Indian audiences. So, which is the most popular sport that Indian viewers watch and love? Check the data, as we assure you there are a few surprises in this list.
Most followed sports in India
| Rank | Sport | Followers (in crores) | Percentage of Total Sports Audience |
| 1 | Cricket | 61.2 crores | 90% |
| 2 | Football | 30.5 crores | 45% |
| 3 | Kabaddi | 28.0 crores | 41% |
| 4 | Wrestling | 16.8 crores | 24% |
| 5 | Hockey | 15.4 crores | 23% |
| 6 | Badminton | 14.5 crores | 21% |
| 7 | Athletics | 12.6 crores | 19% |
| 8 | Volleyball | 10.8 crores | 16% |
| 9 | Boxing | 10.7 crores | 16% |
| 10 | Car Racing | 9.7 crores | 14% |
Top 3 popular sports in India
Cricket
When in India, how can one not talk about cricket? With a massive following of 61.2 crore, cricket is undeniably the biggest sport in the country. Players like former Indian captain Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah are always fan favorites. There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that this sport deserves its top spot, as millions watch and play this beautiful game.
Football
If we talk more about Indian sports fans, after cricket, it’s football that stands out. Although football hasn’t gained the same level of fame as cricket in India, and the Indian football team hasn’t received the same attention, Indian fans are highly engaged with global football, now drawing in 30.5 crores. The launch of the Indian Super League (ISL) in 2014 has also played a decent role, and India’s hosting of the U-17 FIFA World Cup in 2017 gave the sport a big boost.
Kabaddi
Some say this game started around 500 BC and now has continued to thrive, as kabaddi ranks third in terms of viewership among Indian people, with 28 crore viewers enjoying this exciting sport. The emergence of the Pro Kabaddi League has played an extremely important role in promoting the sport in India. With various kabaddi leagues now emerging across South Asia, we can expect its global rise very soon.
