India's online sports gaming market has grown at a remarkable pace, and 2026 is shaping up to be its biggest year yet. With the FIFA World Cup wrapping up in July, the ICC Women's T20 World Cup underway in England, and a packed international cricket calendar ahead, Indian sports fans have more live action to follow than at any point in history. This complete guide covers the popular sports to bet on in India 2026 — from cricket and football to kabaddi, tennis, and esports — — with the key markets, what makes each sport compelling for Indian players, and how to follow all the action through Reddy Anna.


Why 2026 Is the Biggest Year for Sports in India

Several major events have made the popular sports to bet on in India 2026 a broader and more diverse list than any previous year:

  • FIFA World Cup 2026 — 48 teams, 104 matches across USA, Mexico, and Canada
  • ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 — 12-team tournament hosted in England and Wales
  • India vs Zimbabwe T20I Series — New-look young India squad in action in Harare
  • India vs England home series — A packed international calendar through the second half of 2026
  • Pro Kabaddi League Season 11 — One of India's most watched domestic sporting leagues
  • Indian Super League 2026-27 — Football's profile continues to grow across Indian cities

Cricket, football, kabaddi, tennis, and horse racing are the most popular sports for betting at Indian online sportsbooks, with cricket leading in both volume and market interest. On Reddyanna, all of these sports are available with pre-match markets, live in-play markets, and real-time score updates.


1. Cricket — The Most Popular Sport to Bet On in India 2026

Cricket is the most popular sport to bet on in India in 2026 — and it is not particularly close. Cricket remains #1, followed by football, tennis, kabaddi, and esports. The sport's dominance is rooted in India's deep cultural connection to the game, the year-round availability of matches across formats, and the extraordinary depth of markets available on every fixture.

Why Cricket Dominates Indian Sports Gaming

Cricket offers more betting markets per match than any other sport. A single T20I between India and Zimbabwe provides markets not just on the match winner but on top batsman, top bowler, total runs in the powerplay, method of first dismissal, and dozens of ball-by-ball live options.

Additionally, the IPL remains the single most actively followed sports gaming event in India across all platforms — with Reddy Anna's live cricket section seeing its highest traffic of the year during April and May each season.

Key Cricket Markets on Reddy Anna

  • Match winner — Which team wins the match
  • Top batsman — Which player scores the most runs
  • Top bowler — Which player takes the most wickets
  • Total runs — Over/Under on total match runs
  • Toss winner — Which captain wins the coin toss
  • Method of first dismissal — Caught, bowled, LBW, run out
  • Live in-play markets — Ball-by-ball odds updating in real time

Key Cricket Events in India 2026

  • India vs Zimbabwe T20I Series — July 2026
  • India in England — ODI and T20I Series — August 2026
  • ICC Women's T20 World Cup — June-July 2026 (England)
  • ICC Champions Trophy 2027 (build-up coverage begins late 2026)

2. Football — Popular Sports to Bet On in India 2026 Boosted by FIFA

Football is firmly among the popular sports to bet on in India 2026, driven in large part by the FIFA World Cup 2026 — the most-watched sporting event of the year. The tournament's 104 matches, spanning six weeks from June to July, gave Indian football fans more live action than any previous World Cup. Consequently, football's profile in India has never been higher than in the second half of 2026.

Football Markets on Reddy Anna

  • Match winner (1X2) — Home win, draw, or away win
  • Both teams to score — Will both sides score at least one goal?
  • Over/Under goals — Total goals above or below 2.5
  • First goalscorer — Which player scores first
  • Correct score — Exact final score prediction
  • Asian Handicap — Handicap-adjusted match result
  • Live in-play markets — Next goal, next corner, next card

Key Football Events to Follow in India 2026

  • FIFA World Cup 2026 Final — July 19, MetLife Stadium (Spain vs Argentina)
  • Indian Super League 2026-27 — Begins October 2026
  • UEFA Champions League 2026-27 — New format group stage begins September 2026
  • English Premier League 2026-27 — Begins August 2026

3. Kabaddi — A Uniquely Popular Sport to Bet On in India 2026

Kabaddi holds a unique position among the popular sports to bet on in India 2026, and it continues to grow both as a sport and as a live gaming market. The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), now in its 11th season, attracts enormous viewership across Indian cities — with franchises like Patna Pirates, Bengaluru Bulls, and Jaipur Pink Panthers commanding loyal fan bases comparable to IPL cricket teams.

Why Kabaddi Appeals to Indian Bettors

Kabaddi is fast — matches are completed in under two hours — and the scoring structure creates constant momentum shifts that make live in-play markets particularly engaging. Furthermore, Indian fans understand kabaddi's tactical nuances instinctively, giving knowledgeable bettors a genuine edge over casual participants.

Key Kabaddi Markets on Reddy Anna

  • Match winner — Which team wins the bout
  • Total points — Over/Under on combined team points
  • First to 10 points — Which team reaches 10 points first
  • Raid success rate — Markets around individual raider performance
  • Live in-play markets — Point-by-point odds during live matches

4. Tennis — Popular Sports to Bet On in India 2026 Year-Round

Tennis remains one of the most consistent popular sports to bet on in India 2026 because of the sport's year-round schedule and the global star power it brings. Grand Slams at Wimbledon, the Australian Open, the French Open, and the US Open generate enormous betting interest, while the ATP and WTA tours provide weekly market availability across every month of the year.

Additionally, India has developed its own tennis stars in recent years — Sumit Nagal, Rohan Bopanna, and Yuki Bhambri — giving Indian fans a personal connection to the sport that drives engagement throughout the season.

Key Tennis Markets on Reddy Anna

  • Match winner — Straight-sets prediction or match result
  • Set winner — Which player wins each individual set
  • Total games — Over/Under on total games played in the match
  • First set winner — Winner of the opening set
  • Tournament winner — Outright prediction on Grand Slam or ATP/WTA event winner
  • Live in-play markets — Game-by-game and point-by-point live odds

Key Tennis Events in India 2026

  • US Open 2026 — August-September
  • ATP Finals 2026 — November
  • Davis Cup 2026 — Group stage through final
  • WTA Finals 2026 — November

5. Indian Super League — Popular Sports to Bet On in India 2026

The Indian Super League deserves its own section among the popular sports to bet on in India 2026 because of its unique domestic appeal. The ISL's 2026-27 season begins in October — featuring all 13 franchise clubs competing across a packed autumn and winter schedule. For Indian fans, the ISL offers the ability to follow local teams and local stars in a high-quality league environment.

Notably, the ISL has seen significant investment in squad quality over the last two seasons, with several international players signing contracts and raising the overall standard of play. Consequently, ISL matches now generate more detailed and competitive markets on Reddy Anna than at any point in the league's history.


6. Boxing and MMA — Emerging Popular Sports to Bet On in India 2026

Combat sports are among the fastest-growing popular sports to bet on in India 2026. The bookmaker offers bets on more than 30 sports, including cricket, soccer, kabaddi, tennis, basketball, and esports — and combat sports sit prominently within that expanded offering.

Major UFC events, which now regularly feature Indian-origin fighters, draw significant attention from Indian sports fans. Furthermore, boxing's global stars — particularly heavyweight championship bouts — attract one-off market interest even from casual sports followers who do not regularly follow the sport.


7. Esports — The Newest Popular Sport to Bet On in India 2026

Esports is perhaps the most significant new entry among the popular sports to bet on in India 2026. India's gaming population has grown dramatically over the last five years, and titles such as BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India), Valorant, CS2, and FIFA are now followed by millions of Indian viewers across YouTube and streaming platforms.

Markets are available on major esports tournaments year-round on Reddy Anna, including tournament winners, match results, and in-match performance markets across all major titles.


How to Follow All Popular Sports to Bet On in India 2026 on Reddy Anna

Reddy Anna covers all of the popular sports to bet on in India 2026 in one platform — with live cricket, football, kabaddi, tennis, combat sports, and esports markets available throughout the year.

Getting started is simple:

  1. Sign up to create your account — free, takes under two minutes
  2. Get your Reddy Anna ID to unlock access to all sports markets
  3. Log in via the login page
  4. Navigate to Sports from the main menu
  5. Select your sport — Cricket, Football, Kabaddi, Tennis, or more
  6. Choose your market and follow live action with real-time score updates

For more about the platform visit the About Us page.


Popular Sports to Bet On in India 2026 — Quick Comparison Table

Sport Popularity Market Depth Year-Round? Best For
Cricket ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very High Yes All Indian players
Football ⭐⭐⭐⭐ High Yes FIFA 2026 fans
Kabaddi ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Medium PKL season Domestic fans
Tennis ⭐⭐⭐ High Yes Year-round players
ISL Football ⭐⭐⭐ Medium Oct–May Local football fans
Boxing/MMA ⭐⭐⭐ Medium Event-based Casual viewers
Esports ⭐⭐⭐ Growing Yes Gaming community

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most popular sports to bet on in India 2026? Cricket tops the popular sports to bet on in India 2026 list, followed by football, kabaddi, tennis, and esports. The FIFA World Cup 2026 has also significantly boosted football's profile in the second half of 2026.

Is cricket still the number one among popular sports to bet on in India 2026? Yes. Cricket remains the undisputed number one popular sport to bet on in India 2026. The IPL, ICC tournaments, and bilateral international series provide year-round market availability that no other sport matches.

Can I follow kabaddi on Reddy Anna? Yes. Reddy Anna covers Pro Kabaddi League matches with match winner, total points, and live in-play markets throughout the PKL season.

Which football events are available on Reddy Anna in 2026? FIFA World Cup 2026, the Indian Super League, English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and all major international football events are available on Reddy Anna.

How do I access sports markets on Reddy Anna? Sign up, get your Reddy Anna ID, and log in via the login page to access all sports markets.


Disclaimer: Online gaming involves financial risk. Please play responsibly and only with funds you are comfortable using. This content is intended for users aged 18 and above only.

This guide is accurate as of July 2026. Visit thereddynanna.vip for the latest sports coverage and market availability.