The Rise of Women’s Sports in India: A Historic Shift in 2024
In November 2024, the semifinal day of the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in Rajgir highlighted a significant shift in the popularity of women’s sports in India. Traditionally, Bihar was not known for hosting major sporting events, especially in hockey. However, the packed stands at the Rajgir Sports Complex showed that the state had embraced the sport like never before. This event, along with others, signifies the growing interest in women’s sports across the country, which is slowly but surely gaining traction.
Female athletes in India, who once played in front of empty stands, are now witnessing unprecedented support. Harmanpreet Kaur, captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, is one of the prime examples. She played in the 2013 ODI World Cup in India, where matches were held in front of sparse crowds, even in cities like Mumbai. Fast forward to 2023, when Kaur led the Mumbai Indians to victory in the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL), playing before a packed crowd at Wankhede Stadium. This shift is not just in cricket but in other sports as well, with crowds increasing at major events like the 2024 WPL season, which saw over 26,000 spectators at M Chinnaswamy Stadium and around 30,000 at Arun Jaitley Stadium.
This growing popularity has not just been limited to physical attendance; the viewership numbers for women’s sports have also surged. The 2024 WPL, for instance, saw a 39% increase in global audience numbers. The success of the 2024 Paris Olympics, which saw record-breaking viewership in India, further indicates that Indian sports fans are becoming more engaged with women’s events. Globally, similar trends are evident, such as the increase in fan attendance at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, and the record-breaking crowds at the 2024 Women’s National Basketball League season in the United States.
The rise in women’s sports popularity is a result of dedicated investments, improved facilities for players, and more spectator-friendly events. The Indian government and sports bodies have started realizing the importance of supporting women’s sports, and these efforts are slowly paying off. However, there are still challenges, such as disparities in pay, sponsorships, and leadership opportunities for women in sports. Despite these issues, 2024 marks a milestone in the progress of women’s sports in India, with team games no longer relegated to the sidelines but taking center stage. The future of women’s sports looks promising, and 2025 holds more hope for continued growth.
