Highlights
- Dream11 has pivoted to a "second-screen" sports platform following India's real-money gaming ban.
- The new app features live "watch-alongs" with creators to complement TV broadcasts.
- It launches globally with an ad-based revenue model and zero workforce layoffs.
After a quiet three-month hiatus following India’s strict ban on real-money gaming, Dream11 has officially re-entered the arena with a completely new identity. No longer operating as a fantasy gaming operators, the company has pivoted to become a "second-screen" sports entertainment platform. Announced by co-founder and CEO Harsh Jain at a press briefing in Mumbai, the new app aims to solve the isolation of modern sports viewing by connecting fans with creators during live matches. Describing the launch as the company’s "second innings", Jain emphasized that the platform will complement live broadcasts rather than compete with them.
The strategic overhaul addresses what Jain refers to as a "broken experience" for sports fans. Speaking candidly, he noted that while the internet has perfected the art of watching matches alone, it has also made the experience solitary and often "damn depressing". With the rise of nuclear households and time-poor lifestyles, the communal joy of sports has faded.
Dream11 Watch-Along Platform
The new Dream11 is designed to fix this by serving as the "popcorn to your movie", acting as a companion to live TV broadcasts. Unlike other real-money gaming companies that shifted towards micro-content following the ban, Dream11 is betting entirely on live, synchronous engagement.
The platform’s core feature is "watch-alongs", where fans can view matches alongside popular sports creators who provide real-time commentary, banter, and reactions. The app integrates live scorecards, statistics, polls, and quizzes directly into the interface to keep users engaged.
Launching within 24 hours of the announcement, the service is rolling out in 11 countries, including India, the US, the UK, and Australia. The launch lineup features 25 curated influencers, including AB Cricinfo, Pahul Walia, and 2 Sloggers, who have been onboarded on a paid model.
Financially, Dream11 is targeting a massive $10 billion global revenue opportunity. For the first year, the renewed brand will rely primarily on an advertising model for revenue. Following that, the company plans to introduce a premium section and in-app purchases using a virtual currency called "DreamBucks". The company plans to leverage its existing user base of 250 million to jumpstart this ecosystem.
Pivot from Real Money Gaming: No Layoffs
The decision to pivot was necessitated by the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (PROGA), which banned real-money online games in India in August, 2025. Despite the complete overhaul, Jain confirmed there would be no layoffs. The workforce has been redistributed across independent business units.
The company plans to redeploy its engineers and the staff into other entities such as FanCode, Dream Set Go, Dream Sports AI, Dream Cricket, Dream Money, and Dream Sports Foundation.
Jain also reported that there is no change in investors, and the pivot requires no fresh capital or funding, noting that while compute costs will be an additional spend if usage is high, no new investment capital expenditure is needed to get the platform going.
The shift to a second-screen model is backed by compelling internal data. Jain highlighted that 80% of sports viewers already use a secondary device while watching live events, a behavior known to drive 70% higher consumption rates.
By positioning itself as a "best friend" to broadcasters like JioStar and SonyLIV, Dream11 is betting that the future of sports isn't just about the game on the TV but the shared excitement happening on the phone in your hand.
