Niko Partners: India games market exceeds $1bn, forecast to reach $1.2bn by end of 2026
India’s games market has achieved a significant milestone, exceeding $1 billion in revenue for the first time in 2025. According to Niko Partners, the market generated $1.04 billion in revenue, representing a year-over-year growth of 14.8%.
The growth trajectory appears promising, with projections estimating the market will reach approximately $1.2 billion by the end of 2026. Looking further ahead, analysts forecast the market could reach $1.77 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 11.2% over the five-year period.
The expansion is being driven primarily by increased spending on mobile games, supported by growing digital adoption across the country. Player engagement metrics reflect this expansion, with the total gaming population reaching 511 million players in 2025. This figure is projected to exceed 550 million in 2026 and surpass 700 million by 2030.
A notable demographic shift is evident in the market data. Female gamers now represent nearly half of all players, up from 43% in 2023. This growth in female participation reflects broader diversification of the gaming audience in India and suggests opportunities for developers targeting different player segments.
The combination of growing player numbers, rising monetization through mobile platforms, and increasing gender diversity indicates that India’s games market is becoming an increasingly significant contributor to the global gaming industry.