Snooker in India - Growth, Opportunities, and Where to Play
Snooker in India has experienced a surge in popularity over the past five years that few predicted. From dedicated facilities opening in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Kolkata to professional leagues attracting corporate sponsors, the sport is moving from niche to mainstream. Here is the current state of Snooker in India and how you can be part of it.
The Growth Story
The numbers tell the story: facility bookings for Snooker across Indian cities have grown 40-60% year-over-year since 2022. Key drivers include social media exposure (watching highlights and tutorials on Instagram/YouTube), corporate wellness programs introducing employees to the sport, growing middle-class spending on sports and fitness, and government initiatives like Khelo India.
Where to Play in India
The Snooker infrastructure in major Indian cities:
- ●●Delhi: 10-30+ facilities, active tournament calendar, coaching academies
- ●●Mumbai: 10-30+ facilities, active tournament calendar, coaching academies
- ●●Pune: 10-30+ facilities, active tournament calendar, coaching academies
- ●●Bangalore: 10-30+ facilities, active tournament calendar, coaching academies
- ●●Kolkata: 10-30+ facilities, active tournament calendar, coaching academies
Finding a facility near you: Google Maps ("Snooker near me"), Zplys (lists tournaments, academies, and coaches), and local WhatsApp groups are the three best discovery channels.
The Academy Ecosystem
India now has thousands of Snooker academies ranging from single-coach operations to multi-location brands. The best academies share these characteristics:
- ●●Certified coaches (with Billiards and Snooker Federation of India (BSFI) or equivalent credentials)
- ●●Structured batch programs with clear progression
- ●●Regular internal competitions and external tournament participation
- ●●Modern facilities with proper equipment
Monthly coaching fees range from Rs 500-1,500 per month for table access depending on the city and program level.
The Tournament Circuit
The Snooker tournament circuit in India operates at multiple levels:
- ●●Local/club level: weekly or monthly events, Rs 500-3,000 entry
- ●●District/state level: Billiards and Snooker Federation of India (BSFI)-sanctioned ranking tournaments
- ●●National level: Indian National Snooker Championship, Asian Snooker Championship
For recreational players, the local tournament circuit is where the action is. Most cities with a population over 10 lakh have monthly Snooker tournaments.
Opportunities in Snooker
Beyond playing, the Snooker ecosystem offers career opportunities in coaching (Rs 20,000-60,000/month), event management (Rs 15,000-40,000/month), content creation (YouTube/Instagram coaches are building personal brands), facility management, and sports technology (platforms serving the growing market).
Challenges
India's Snooker growth faces real challenges: limited public facilities (most courts are private), high real estate costs for new facilities, lack of standardized coaching curriculum, and limited corporate sponsorship at the grassroots level. But the trajectory is clear - the sport is growing, and the infrastructure is catching up.
How to Get Started
If you are new to Snooker in India: find a local academy (Google Maps or Zplys), take a trial session, join a beginner batch, enter your first tournament after 3-4 months, and connect with the community through WhatsApp groups and local events.
The Future
With India's young population, growing sports infrastructure, and increasing health consciousness, Snooker is positioned for sustained growth. Whether you are a player, coach, organizer, or entrepreneur, now is the time to be part of the Snooker movement in India.
Government Initiatives and Support
The Indian government has significantly increased sports funding through schemes like Khelo India (Rs 1,756 crore annual budget for grassroots development), Sports Authority of India (SAI) training centers across states, Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) for elite athletes, and state-level sports policies that provide infrastructure and coaching support. For academy owners and tournament organizers, understanding these schemes can open funding opportunities. Many state governments offer subsidies for sports facility construction, coaching certifications, and hosting state-level events.
Career Opportunities in Sports
The Indian sports industry is projected to reach $130 billion by 2030, creating thousands of jobs beyond just playing. Career paths include: coaching (Rs 20,000-1,00,000/month depending on level and sport), sports management (event companies, league operations, Rs 25,000-80,000/month), sports technology (building platforms, apps, wearables), content creation (sports YouTubers, bloggers, commentators), sports medicine (physiotherapy, nutrition, psychology), and facility management (venue operations, maintenance, scheduling).
For young athletes who do not make it to the professional level, these career paths offer a way to stay in the sport they love while building a stable income. The transition from player to coach or manager is increasingly well-supported by certification programs and industry networks in India.