We all know when it comes to sports, cricket remains the undisputed king in India. From kids playing with a bat and ball in narrow lanes to grown-ups cheering loudly for their team, either inside a jam-packed stadium or sitting in front of the TV, cricket is nothing short of a national religion.
While cricket dominates the sporting passion in India, other sports like football, kabaddi, and hockey have been rapidly gaining ground, fuelled by professional leagues, digital streaming, government interests like Khelo India, and growing youth interest, reshaping the country’s athletic identity and fan culture. This shift reflects broader changes in society, media, and sports infrastructure beyond the gentleman’s game.
Football: A Growing Fan Base and Competitive Scene
Football is the world’s most popular and supported sport. In India, a nation of over 1.4 billion people, football has historically been confined to passionate pockets like West Bengal, Kerala, Goa, and the Northeast, where it rivalled cricket in cultural and emotional significance.
However, the launch of the Indian Super League (ISL), backed by corporate heavyweights like Reliance, marked a turning point. The league introduced a high-profile, franchise based model inspired by the IPL, attracting international stars, improving broadcasting quality, and investing in modern infrastructure. It expanded from 8 teams to 14 by recent seasons, resulting in formation of clubs nationwide, including in non-traditional areas like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Odisha, and Punjab. This expansion has broadened India’s football appeal. As television and digital audiences continue to rise, and grassroots participation keeps steadily growing, challenges still remain, including league stability, infrastructure limitations, and strong fan preference for international competitions such as the Premier League, La Liga, and the UEFA Champions League.
Kabaddi: From Village Roots to Nationwide Phenomenon
Kabaddi, India’s ancient indigenous sports, was limited to rural streets, village playgrounds, and traditional akharas, played informaly with minimal structure or recognition beyond local communities. Over the following years, the sport has underwent a revolution, with the introduction of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), a franchise style national level tournament, delivering high octane entertainment to audience of different age groups all over the country, and providing life changing salaries for players from modest communities. Today, it has become the most most watched non-cricket leagues in the country, boasting millions of fans and a strong digital engagement, making it a cultural and commercial success story. Also, recent triumphs by Indian kabaddi teams at youth and international levels continue to raise the sport’s profile.
Hockey: Legacy and Resurgence
Field hockey, once a symbol of India’s national pride due to its impressive Olympic success in the mid-20th century, faced decades of decline. However, it is now making a strong comeback. After spending years in the background, the sport has regained momentum with better international performances, including back-to-back Olympic bronze medals at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. The return of the Hockey India League (HIL) after a break, now including women’s teams, along with solid support from states like Odisha, has improved training methods, tactics, and fitness standards. Both the men’s and women’s teams have done well in Asian competitions, rebuilding national pride and attracting new investments in infrastructure. From grassroots academies to professional tournaments, a renewed system is nurturing emerging talent and keeping hockey culturally significant in modern India.
The growth of these sports is closely related to changing fan habits and how people consume media. Reports show that most Indian sports fans now follow various disciplines beyond cricket, with football and kabaddi gaining strong popularity. Digital platforms have played an important role, especially for younger audiences, in boosting exposure and engagement. In summary, while cricket remains the most popular, football, kabaddi, and hockey are establishing significant roles in India’s sports scene. This growth is driven by professional leagues, regional cultures, media reach, and a younger fan base that enjoys multiple sports.
By Ananyo Sengupta
