Cricket’s hold over Indian sports fans is growing stronger with each passing season, and the numbers leave no doubt. It isn’t surprising at all. Almost every kid in the streets in India knows a thing or two about cricket, with the names of Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli on everyone’s lips. With the advent of the internet and easier access to live coverage of matches, the sport’s audience has increased multifold. There’s a reason why the Indian Premier League (IPL) is the second-most watched sporting league in the world!
IPL the big daddy in India’s sporting family
Now, a new report by Havas Play has laid bare the staggering reach of Indian sporting leagues, revealing that the Indian Premier League (IPL) continues to tower above the rest, while even the Women’s Premier League (WPL) has now surpassed European football giants in Indian viewership.
According to the report, the IPL recorded a jaw-dropping 857 million viewers across TV and digital platforms in 2024, with 464 million tuning in via television and 393 million watching on OTT platforms.
In comparison, the UEFA Champions League, the biggest football league and long considered a premium property in global sports broadcasting, attracted just 125 million viewers in India. Part of this could also be the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, as both the living legends no longer ply their trades in Europe. The English Premier League, considered the most competitive football league, trailed even further behind at 96 million.
WPL bigger than UEFA Champions League
The WPL, started in 2023, notched up 130 million viewers, out of which 110 million were on TV and 20 million via OTT. That puts it ahead of both the UCL and EPL, meaning a huge milestone for Indian women’s sport. Regional language commentary, increased mobile OTT access, and fantasy gaming integration have all played a role.
Viewership growth & media impact (2024)
| League/Event | Total Viewership | TV Viewership | OTT Viewership |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | 857 million | 464 million | 393 million |
| Pro Kabaddi League | 350 million | – | – |
| Indian Super League | 232 million | – | – |
| Women’s Premier League | 130 million | – | – |
| UEFA Champions League | 125 million | 110 million | 20 million |
| Premier League (EPL) | 96 million | 310 million | 190 million |
| Others | – | 40 million | 42 million |
IPL 2025 – Biggest season ever?
As for IPL 2025, the numbers only wowed everyone. The season clocked over 840 billion minutes of total watch time. Despite a one-week suspension due to geopolitical tensions, the league didn’t lose steam. The final between RCB and PBKS broke all previous records with 31.7 billion minutes of watch time. JioStar reported that 169 million tuned in on TV, while JioHotstar registered 892 million video views and a peak concurrency of 55 million, the most for any T20 match ever!
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