Every one wants fame and fortune – sports that make you rich in India
India is country which is too obsessed with sports. From gully cricket matches to football in schools, millions dream of becoming the next big thing , make name and fame . But here’s the harsh truth: not all sports in India will make you rich—no matter how passionate you are.
In this blog, we break down which sports can actually make you money in India, and separate the reality from the hype. Whether you’re a parent, a teenager with big dreams, or just curious—this post will help you see sports through a money lens.
1. Cricket – The Undisputed King (But Not for Everyone)
Cricket is one of the first sport that every child play in India , it starts from playing with freinds in gullly , to play match against other area teams , the one who loose will feed samosa and cold drinks to everyone. Every kid has a dream to play cricket at a hgher level i.e IPL . But the sad reality is not evrybody can make it as cricket as too much competition , one really had to stand out from crowd to get noticed.
if we talk about how much money they get :
Average Salary of Top Indian Cricketers (2025): ₹7–₹15 crore/year
Domestic Player Earnings: ₹20–₹60 lakh/year
Also : How Much Does a Test Match Cost to Organize? Full Breakdown IND vs ENG 2025 test match cost
Cricket is like Bollywood—it creates superstars, but also leaves 90% in the background.
- IPL Contracts can make a player a millionaire overnight.
- Endorsements are the real game-changer (Kohli made over ₹100 crore from brands alone).
- BUT: Only ~0.5% of serious cricketers break into the IPL or Indian national team.
Verdict:
Rich potential – if you’re in the top 1%
Massive competition & limited spots
2. Football – Growing Fast, Still Underpaid
Football is one of that sports in India , which has a huge potential but way less consideration that it deserves. Earlier there were plenty of chances where Indian football Team was going to play in the World Cup but they refused or cant go , from that day football was unable to make its place in the hearts of Indians, but from past few years Football is getting the craze back slowly.Football
If we talk how much footballer get paid :
Top Indian Footballer Salary (2025): ₹1–₹1.5 crore/year
ISL Average Salary: ₹15–₹30 lakh/year
The Indian Super League (ISL) has improved visibility and earnings, but Indian footballers still earn 10x less than European players.
- ISL offers decent contracts but minimal endorsements
- No grassroots ecosystem for regular income in lower tiers
Verdict:
Rising opportunity, but not yet a “get-rich” sport
Could explode in 5 years if ISL expands + more brands invest
3.Olympic Sports – Glory, Not Money (Mostly)
Olympics are also , often talked in Indian subcontinent , but not to the very extent , it should have been , this may be because of low media coverage and less interest among audience. Olympic do not make every player a MILLIONAIRE but here is how much they get paid :
Gold Medal Prize (India, 2024): ₹75 lakh–₹1 crore
Sponsorship: Rare, unless you’re Neeraj Chopra
Boxing, wrestling, badminton, shooting, athletics – all have produced champions. But most athletes:
- Rely on government funding
- Struggle post-retirement
- Earn mostly from prize money, not salaries
Chopra is an exception, not the rule.
Verdict:
National pride? Yes.
Long-term wealth? Only for a few stars.Boxing, wrestling, badminton, shooting, athletics – all have produced champions. But most athletes:
- Rely on government funding
- Struggle post-retirement
- Earn mostly from prize money, not salaries
4. Badminton – The Silent Earner
Here comes the sport that nobody actually talk about , badminton also had a decent earning potential if on could there , even though it require a lot training same like every other soprts , if we talk about the earning then:
Top Player Earnings: ₹1–₹4 crore/year (incl. endorsements)
Tournament Wins: ₹5–₹50 lakh per event
Badminton might seem low-key, but stars like PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen have cracked the income code:
- Brand deals, Pro League appearances, global sponsors
- Consistent international performance = global income
Verdict:
Moderate risk, decent returns
If you’re top-10 in Asia, you can get rich
5.Motorsport – High Investment, High Reward
Here comes the cool sport , Every boy at least once , have dreamt about going in motorsport , some did it too. Motorsport is very interesting , thrilled sport to participate or even to watch out for, but still its not that grown , due to various reasons i.e lack of infrastructure (tracks),requires too much investment which is difficult for a new comer to start. But , despite huge investments , one can get decent return also :
Karting to Formula 2: ₹50 lakh–₹3 crore/year just to participate
Sponsorships: Needed to survive
Motorsport isn’t about talent alone—it’s about money backing money.
- Narain Karthikeyan and Jehan Daruvala showed the way, but few can follow
- Expensive, elite, zero ROI unless you reach global circuits
Verdict:
For rich kids only
Not a realistic path for most Indians
6. Combat Sports (MMA, Boxing) – Dark Horse in 2025
MMA , boxing or any other combat sports can make u hella rich , but not in this case , in India these sports does not get that hype , like ant other sports, while in the west , combat sports are damn popular , its not in India , if we talk about the earnings :
Top Indian MMA Fighter Earnings: ₹10–₹30 lakh per fight (UFC level)
Domestic Fighters: ₹10,000–₹50,000 per match
Combat sports are exploding on YouTube, Instagram, and OTT. Promotions like Matrix Fight Night (MFN) are building local heroes.
- No need for federation approval
- You can self-promote, build a fanbase, get brand deals
- Entry barrier is low, but skill & marketing are key
💡 Verdict:
🔥 Fastest-growing underground sport in India
✅ Smart pick if you’re disciplined & media-savvy
🎾 Honorable Mention: Tennis
- High global potential
- Massive earnings for top 100 (₹5–₹50 crore/year)
- But you need to go international early—costly, hard to sustain
These were sports that make you rich in India.
📊 Conclusion: Best Sports to Get Rich in India – Ranked
| Rank | Sport | Rich Potential | Risk Level | Time to Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cricket | 🔥 High | 🔴 High | 5–10 years |
| 2 | Badminton | 🟢 Medium | 🟡 Medium | 4–6 years |
| 3 | Combat Sports | 🔥 Medium-High | 🟡 Medium | 2–4 years |
| 4 | Football | 🟡 Low-Medium | 🟠 Medium | 3–7 years |
| 5 | Olympic Sports | 🟢 Glory | 🔴 High | 5–10 years |
🧠 Final Thought:
Don’t just play a sport. Learn the business of it.
If you’re serious about sports and wealth, start understanding:
- Sponsorships
- Branding
- Social media monetization
- NFTs & digital fan tokens (emerging)
Being great is not enough. You must be seen, supported, and sold.
Have a sport in mind and want to know how to monetize it? Drop your story in the comments — we’ll help you map the money route.