Half of Indian esports players view it as an 'extremely viable' career option, shows new survey

Esports is taking big strides in India not just as a pastime but also as a serious career alternative as confidence in this industry is consistently rising, a survey by YouGov, commissioned by JetSynthesys shows.

83% of Indian esports players believe there is financial viability in pursuing esports as a career, while 49% find it as an extremely viable career option, the latest report shows. These numbers reflect a changing mindset regarding the esports scene among Indian players. Three out of four Indian esports players told the surveyors that they have considered pursuing a career in esports.

The survey that covered over 1,500 daily Indian esports players in the 18–44 age group across cities, has thrown up interesting results.

Career choices increasing in esports

The fact that more people in esports are hopeful of getting jobs does not only stem from them being good players but also from the fact that the horizons are expanding. More than half of the players playing esports in the country are interested in taking up roles such as coaches, analysts, team managers or event organisers, the report shows.

Another key financial incentive that is emerging is earnings via streaming and content creation.

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As per the survey, 77% of Indian esports players say they see clear opportunities in streaming and monetisation today, making it the most visible and accessible enabler of professional aspirations beyond tournament winnings.

Esports players now identifying as ‘athletes’

Findings also showed that views on athlete identity are shifting. While 69% are comfortable referring to professional esports players as “athletes”, 40% say they already identify themselves as athletes, signalling that this shift in self-perception is now actively underway amongst Indian esports players.

Nearly 60% of daily Indian esports players now consider esports to be as valid a sport as physical sports and mental disciplines such as chess, recognising the, discipline and preparation it demands.

The study also shows that 80% of Indian esports players say they watch esports tournaments or leagues at least once or twice a month.

At the same time, the study also highlights structural gaps in esports that continue to shape the decision-making of Indians aspiring to take it up as a full-time career. Challenges related to family support, social stigma, and broader social acceptance remain significant, with 82% of respondents citing these among their top three concerns.

There is also strong support for institutional adoption, with 93% agreeing that esports should be included in college and university-level sports events. This is complemented by strong emphasis on private-sector support, with nearly 90% citing sponsorships from brands as important, alongside scholarships for esports players and coaching and training academies.