Highlights
- Universal Studios is planning to establish a 300,000 square-foot facility near New Delhi's International Airport.
- The propossed area is expected to open by 2027 and it expects to generate INR 5 billion in annual rental revenue.
- The project is being made in partnership with Bharti Realty.
Universal Studios is reportedly preparing to establish its first theme park in India with a 300,000-square-foot indoor facility near New Delhi's international airport, marking the entertainment conglomerate's latest push into Asia's expanding leisure market.
The proposed park would be located in Gurgaon's Aerocity area and is targeted to open by 2027. Universal Studios and Indian property developer Bharti Realty are engaged in "advanced-level discussions" for the project, which could generate approximately INR 5 billion ($60 million USD) in annual rental revenue.
The development represents Universal's fourth Asian location, joining existing parks in Osaka, Singapore's Sentosa Island, and Beijing. The indoor format addresses Delhi's extreme weather conditions while enabling year-round operations.
Universal's entry into India comes as the country's entertainment sector experiences significant growth driven by rising disposable incomes and urbanization. India's indoor entertainment market is projected to expand to 11 million square feet by 2028, creating opportunities for international operators seeking to capitalize on demographic trends.
The planned facility would become one of India's largest indoor entertainment destinations, featuring attractions based on Universal's popular franchises including Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, and Fast & Furious. The project is expected to create employment across entertainment, hospitality, and retail sectors.
India's theme park landscape currently includes approximately 150 parks and 523 indoor entertainment spaces, predominantly operated by domestic companies Imagicaa and Wonderla. However, these lack the global brand recognition and operational sophistication of international competitors.
International entertainment brands including Timezone, Funtura, and Funcity currently hold about 28% of India's indoor entertainment market share, suggesting substantial room for expansion by established operators with proven franchise appeal.
