Projected to double by 2027, India’s £38.84 billion sports economy to gain momentum through bilateral partnerships
NEW DELHI, July 26, 2025: The Consulate General of India in Manchester, in collaboration with FICCI and Grant Thornton Bharat, has launched “Winning Together: Unlocking the Sports Economy between India and Manchester”, a landmark report outlining a strategic blueprint for bilateral collaboration in sports. The report highlights partnership opportunities across infrastructure, sportstech, esports, education, content creation, manufacturing, and gender inclusion.
“This report is a significant step towards harnessing synergies between two regions that share a deep passion for sport and a culture of performance,” said Vishakha Yaduvanshi, Consul General of India, Manchester. “The Consulate General in Manchester has opened new avenues for regional partnerships, and sport is a natural and powerful connector.”
The report launch coincides with a summer of cricket in the UK and follows a symbolic meeting between India’s touring cricket team and Manchester United players in London, underlining the cultural resonance and global fandom that binds the two sporting nations.
The report emphasizes India’s £38.84 billion sports economy, projected to nearly double by 2027, alongside Manchester’s thriving football and sportstech ecosystem. It proposes a 360-degree collaboration model spanning grassroots development, gender equity, innovation, and global event readiness.
Abhishek Binaykia, Partner & Sports Advisory Leader at Grant Thornton Bharat, noted, “With India’s National Sports Policy 2025 and the proposed Sports Governance Bill, the country is entering a transformative phase. This is the perfect time to deepen international partnerships and co-create frameworks for athlete development, immersive fan engagement, and sustainable infrastructure.”
Jyoti Vij, Director General of FICCI, added, “The India-Manchester Sports Collaboration exemplifies purposeful global engagement. This partnership can unlock new business-to-business collaborations, knowledge exchange, and technical expertise, ultimately catalysing innovation and strengthening institutional capacities.”
Key Proposals from the Report:
Formation of a Bilateral Working Group (BWG) to formalize public-private engagement
Creation of an India-UK sportstech innovation hub and esports talent exchange
Academic and R&D partnerships with Loughborough University and IIT Delhi
Enhanced engagement from Premier League clubs and Indian investors
A joint approach towards inclusive, gender-balanced sports ecosystems
This initiative lays the groundwork for future milestones, including the upcoming India-Manchester Sports Business Forum, and aligns with India’s aspirations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympic bid.
About FICCI
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is India’s oldest and largest apex business organization, driving policy change, fostering trade, and enabling economic development across diverse sectors.
About Grant Thornton Bharat
Grant Thornton Bharat is a leading professional services firm providing audit, tax, advisory, and consulting services to help organizations navigate growth and innovation opportunities in India and beyond.
