India is witnessing an unprecedented explosion in the sports business, making it one of the
most important global markets in the world. This maturation is evident in the rising frequency of
large conferences and summits focused specifically on sport, finance, technology, policy, and
more. Fewer of these conversations are inclusive of solely domestic audiences and form crucial
gatherings for those in global communities to engage with India’s market, in light of the country’s
potential to become an Olympic host.
Major Sports Business Summits
The event that engendered the most significant level of discussion at the top level was The
Indian Sports Summit in partnership with organizations like the RCB Innovation Lab and
international sports company Leaders.
Over 350 guests attended the conclusion of the 2025 two-day summit in March in Bengaluru.
The audience was predominantly Director-level and above. The split of the attendees indicates
the global significance of the event; 80% comprised local attendees and 20% from other
countries, represented across 15+ countries internationally.
Key themes that dominated the agenda for 2025 included:
The 2036 Olympic Bid: Smart planning and investment will be needed to successfully establish
India as a host nation.
Private Equity and Franchise Value: The discussion covered the evolving role of private
investment into Indian leagues and increasing valuations of franchises (beyond cricket).
Tech & Fan Engagement: Using data, analytics, and AI innovations to improve fan engagement
and monetization.
Policy and Governance: A debate about reform of national sports federations to reach
international norms in ethics and structure.
The summit is a venue for some of the best speakers, including Olympic gold medalists, global
league leaders, and top Government policy makers, to form the public-private partnerships
necessary for hosting world-class sporting events in India
Specialized Industry Expos and Conferences
● In addition to the high-level policy summits, there has been a robust growth of
industry-specific trade exhibitions and conferences:
● International Health, Sports & Fitness Festival (IHFF) – This is a large trade show in
Mumbai aimed at Asia’s rapidly growing fitness and wellness market. It is a strategic
venue for the promotion of equipment, nutrition, and rehabilitation technology to
acclimate to the increased spending by consumers on health and lifestyle products
oriented toward sports.
● Sport India International Sporting Show – This prominent B2B venue occurs in New Delhi
for manufacturers of sports goods, apparel, and equipment to source new business
opportunities and partners in the Indian market.
● Academic and Niche Conferences – Academic institutions, such as the Indian Institute of
Management (IIM), Indore, have hosted a Sport and Business Conference dedicated to
sharing scholarly research and business strategic challenges, such as sustainability!
Investment and Global Integration Trends
The investment climate discussed at these 2025 conferences emphasizes a significant
development around global integration. Indian franchise owners, notably those associated with
the Indian Premier League (IPL), are actively growing the scope of their business empires
through acquiring stakes in other leagues around the world, such as The Hundred in the UK.
This demonstrates that investment from Indian capital and management is now well beyond the
subcontinent and should be recognized as global players in the world of sports investment.
Overall, there is a broad consensus from the discussions of these conferences that India’s
sports ecosystem is at an inflection point requiring not just investment in infrastructure, but an
improved, modern, and transparent governance model to realize its global potential.