India, March 23 -- In a year when regulatory ban on Real Money Gaming (RMG) rocked the Indian sports industry, traditional brands came forward to absorb the losses. Sponsorships became a key pillar of growth for Indian sport whose industry size rose by 13.4% from last year, according to 'Sporting Nation' report for 2025 prepared by WPP Media.

Over the last four years, the industry size- Rs.18,864 crore ($2.13 bn)-is estimated to have doubled. No longer an emerging market story but one of scale. Predictably, cricket accounts for an 89% share of this growth story. Media spends have contributed heavily ( Rs.9571 crore) with growth in digital advertising outpacing TV.

Sponsorships accounting for Rs.7,949 crore-growth of 8% year-on-year-is s...