IAMGAME 2026: Merging Sports Business and Culture in New Delhi
Introduction to IAMGAME 2026
IAMGAME 2026 is set to uniquely combine the realms of sports business and culture with the launch of the Sports Fest, alongside its industry-centric Sports Conclave.
Taking place at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on August 21-22, this two-day event aims to connect athletes, sports leaders, investors, brands, and innovators with sports fans and emerging communities, as stated in a press release from IAMGAME.
Event Highlights
The Sports Conclave will delve into the commercial, institutional, and technological aspects shaping Indian sports, while the Sports Fest will provide a platform for sporting experiences, new disciplines, and increased fan engagement.
The event will feature Olympic champions and Commonwealth Games gold medalists, with expectations of over 700 delegates, 50 speakers, and 20 sports legends participating, along with representatives from 10 state sports federations and six international sports federations.
Additionally, more than 20 sporting brands, sports-tech companies, broadcasters, and investors are anticipated to join.
Four Key Components of IAMGAME 2026
IAMGAME 2026, conceptualized by ESP 360 Degree Solution, will revolve around four main components: The Sports Conclave, the newly launched Sports Fest, the IAMGAME Sports Awards, and The Game Plan, which offers sports-tech startups a chance to pitch their ideas to investors, mentors, and potential partners.
Connecting Business and Culture
Karan Singh Chettri, Founder and CEO of ESP 360 Degree Solution, emphasized that the growth of sports business cannot occur in isolation from its culture. He noted that sustainable growth hinges on investment, infrastructure, technology, and community engagement.
By introducing the Sports Fest alongside the Sports Conclave, IAMGAME 2026 aims to unify these two aspects on a single platform for the first time.
Chettri also highlighted that India's sports economy is projected to reach USD 40 billion by 2030, necessitating stronger collaboration among athletes, federations, policymakers, brands, investors, and technology innovators.
Focus and Goals of the Event
The Sports Conclave will address the need for sustained investment beyond traditional sports, enhance pathways from grassroots to elite levels, improve sporting infrastructure, and promote technology adoption in training, performance, administration, and fan engagement.
Complementing these discussions, the Sports Fest will showcase emerging sports and offer interactive experiences for fans. The Game Plan will connect sports-tech startups with investors and mentors, while the IAMGAME Sports Awards will honor achievements in athletic performance, innovation, governance, technology, and grassroots development.
Expanding Opportunities for Indian Sports
Building on its previous editions, IAMGAME has evolved from a thought-leadership forum into a comprehensive platform that links commercial and institutional stakeholders in Indian sports with the athletes, communities, and fans who nurture its culture.
Through its expanded format, IAMGAME 2026 aims to bridge the divide between funding and development of sports and the actual experience and engagement of sports across India.