Kolkata, 03 February, 2026: India’s Esports ecosystem has reached a critical inflection point, with rising ambition of Esports athletes, increasing consideration of esports as a serious sport, and growing consideration of esports as a long-term career option, according to a first-of-its-kind JetSynthesys X YouGov Indian Esports Report.
Confidence in esports careers runs high in Kolkata
Confidence in Esports as a long-term career is notably strong in the city. 77% of daily esports players in Kolkata see esports as a financially viable career, with 44% describing it as very viable. This confidence is translating into intent, with 73% of esports players in Kolkata saying they have considered pursuing esports professionally, signalling increasing seriousness around long-term careers in the ecosystem.
Career ambitions extend well beyond competitive play
Kolkata’s esports players are also displaying a mature understanding of the ecosystem’s breadth. While 67% aspire to become competitive players, interest spans a wide range of roles across the value chain. 60% want to pursue streaming or content creation, 35% are interested in coaching, 43% in team management or event organisation, and 40% in roles such as esports journalism or commentary. This reflects a growing recognition of esports as a multi-layered industry rather than a single-track pursuit.
Ambition is real, structure is still catching up
When asked what would meaningfully strengthen the esports ecosystem, players in Kolkata consistently point towards long-term enablers. 90% cite government recognition and regulation as important, while 90% highlight the need for infrastructure such as video gaming cafés and arenas. Access to structured guidance also emerges as a priority, with 91% of respondents in Kolkata citing career counselling and mentorship pathways as critical. Challenges related to family support, social stigma, and broader social acceptance remain significant, with 81% of respondents citing these among their top three concerns.
Institutional adoption is seen as a key support lever, with 89% of respondents saying inclusion of esports in college and university-level sports events is important. Expectations from the private sector are equally pronounced, with 92% citing sponsorships from brands as important, alongside 91% highlighting the role of scholarships and 88% pointing to coaching programmes and training academies in enabling sustainable esports careers.
Esports increasingly viewed as a sport in the city
Esports is now being viewed through a distinctly sporting lens in Kolkata. 49% of daily esports players in the city consider esports to be same as physical sports and mental disciplines such as chess, recognising the discipline, preparation and performance it demands.
This evolving perception is also reshaping how players see themselves. 68% of esports players in Kolkata say they are comfortable referring to professional esports players as “athletes”, while 54% say they already identify themselves as athletes, signalling a clear shift in sporting identity within the city’s esports community.
A competitive ecosystem
Sustained exposure to competitive video gaming is also shaping how esports players in Kolkata perceive the capabilities developed through esports. 91% associate professional esports with capabilities such as strategic thinking and planning, adaptability, reflexes, hand–eye coordination, and quick decision-making under pressure, ranking these among their top five capabilities. Beyond gameplay, 69% cite discipline, serious practice, focus and concentration as key capabilities developed through esports, while 63% highlight problem-solving, mental resilience and toughness.
Commenting on the findings, Rajan Navani, Founder and CEO, JetSynthesys, said, “This study captures a pivotal moment for esports in India. What stands out is the clarity with which Indian esports players are thinking about the future, not just in terms of opportunity, but in terms of longevity. The next phase of growth must be about building durable pathways, credible institutions and support systems that allow talent to progress sustainably. This is how India moves from participation to leadership in global esports.”
Kolkata audiences behaving like sports fans
Consumption patterns in the city further reinforce esports’ growing sporting status. 90% of esports players in Kolkata say they watch esports tournaments or leagues at least once or twice a month. This regular viewership coincides with awareness of major competitions such as the BGMI Mobile India Series, the Esports Asian Games, and leagues like the Global eCricket Premier League, with 91% of respondents saying they are aware of at least one of these events.
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