If you’ve spent any time on TikTok, Instagram, or X lately, you’ve probably seen Indian Gen Zs hyping football like never before. Plenty of online content now talks about the World Cup and players like Ronaldo and Messi. So, it does seem like football fandom in India feels louder, younger, and way more online.
Now, this is why many are now starting to wonder if young Indians are actually choosing football over cricket.
Well, the truth isn’t as simple as picking sides. Football has carved out a serious fanbase among Gen Z, but cricket hasn’t exactly disappeared either. If anything, both sports are thriving, but in very different ways.
Still, why does football suddenly feel like a Gen Z thing? Does cricket still hold its place as India’s favorite sport? Let’s take a closer look.
How Popular is Football in India and Why Do Indians Love It?
It’s important to know that football isn’t new to India, but yes, the way Gen Zs are talking about it makes it feel like Football is only starting to gain traction in the country. Many of them would follow the Premier League matches, UEFA Champions League drama, or the World Cup, and a huge part of the appeal is the global access. These days, European matches are easy to watch online, and the players have massive social media presence, and Indian Gen Zs are pretty much online a lot.
The thing is that Gen Z loves the culture around football, too. The fashion drops, locker room interviews, goal reaction videos, and even memes. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Discord are flooded with content that keeps football in their feeds almost daily.
Another reason football keeps growing? It fits digital attention spans better. The games are shorter than cricket matches, and most tournaments offer nonstop high-stakes action. Add to that the rise of fantasy football leagues and the casual sharing of football betting tips from established tipsters, and it’s clear that young fans are engaging way beyond just cheering for their favorite team.
Even Indian clubs are slowly building loyal followings. The Indian Super League (ISL) may not be at the Premier League’s level, but teams like Kerala Blasters and Bengaluru FC have earned dedicated fan bases. Throw in FIFA video games, online rivalries, and global merch, and it’s easy to see why football feels personal to this generation.
Cricket Still Dominates India
Even after all that, we can say that there’s no way football has topped cricket in India. That’s the case even for the country’s younger generation. The Indian Premier League (IPL) alone continues to be a massive hit with over 505 million TV viewers and over 427 billion minutes of watch time. When it comes to digital streaming, JioCinema has previously reported that IPL matches would have over 500 million viewers.
Now, football also has over a hundred million viewers, but it’s not as close to the cricket numbers. JioCinema reported that the FIFA World Cup 2022 saw over 110 million digital viewers in India, and its final attracted over 32 million viewers.
Why India Remains a Cricket Nation
Even with football’s rising popularity, cricket hasn’t loosened its grip on India, and not even close. It’s still the most-watched sport in the country, and those numbers prove it. Cricket is simply deeply woven into Indian culture.
It’s a sport played everywhere, including stadiums, coaching camps, and even in gullies and on rooftops. Unlike football, where access to turf and proper training is harder, cricket can be played with just a bat and a ball, sometimes even less. That kind of accessibility keeps it alive in every corner of the country.
The emotional connection is different, too. Cricket is tied to moments that have shaped Indian sports history. The World Cup wins, iconic innings, and players who became household names. Then India also has the best cricket stars of all time, like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and Rohit Sharma, who also still dominate endorsements, social media, and primetime coverage.
So, it’s safe to say that for many Gen Zs, especially outside metro cities, cricket is still their first sport.
Final Words
Overall, football may not be the sport that Indian Gen Zs are now mostly into, but there’s no denying that it’s gaining more fans from that age group. Still, we probably won’t see it replace cricket anytime soon. It’s more like the younger generations are simply open to watching more sports like football and even kabaddi. That said, we’ll see both sports continue to thrive.
