03-05-2025
Union MoS launches white paper on India's live event economy
Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Dr. L Murugan on Saturday unveiled 'India's Live Events Economy: A Strategic Growth Imperative'—a first-of-its-kind white paper commissioned by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and prepared by EventFAQs Media, one of the knowledge partners of WAVES 2025.
The white paper, launched on the third day of World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 held at Jio centre in Bandra Kurla Complex, presented an analysis of India's rapidly expanding live entertainment industry, highlighting emerging trends, growth trajectories, and strategic recommendations for the sector's continued evolution.
Key trends in the sector include the rise of event tourism, with nearly half a million attendees travelling specifically for live music events—indicating the emergence of a robust music-tourism economy. Premium ticketing segments—such as VIP experiences, curated access, and luxury hospitality—have witnessed over 100 per cent year-on-year growth, pointing to an increasingly experience-driven audience. Participation from Tier-2 cities has surged, driven by multi-city tours and the growing popularity of regional festivals.
This momentum is also mirrored in the sector's rising influence on jobs and talent development. Live entertainment is not a side note to India's creative economy anymore; it is a strategic lever that stimulates employment and drives skill development.
Large-scale events in the current landscape typically generate approximately 2,000 to 5,000 temporary jobs each, underscoring the sector's growing role in supporting livelihoods and fostering a dynamic workforce.
The white paper highlighted that India's live events landscape is undergoing a transformation—from a fragmented sector to a structured and influential pillar of the country's cultural and creative economy and with international acts such as Coldplay performing in Ahmedabad and Mumbai, it has signalled India's readiness to host global-scale events.
The event also saw the launch of key reports, including the Statistical Handbook on Media & Entertainment Sector 2024–25 by Ministry of Information Broadcasting, 'From Content to Commerce: Mapping India's Creator Economy' by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), 'A Studio Called India' by Ernst & Young, and 'Legal Currents: A Regulatory Handbook on India's Media & Entertainment Sector 2025' by Khaitan & Co.
