Following a significant setback from the 2025 real-money online gaming ban, which led to an almost 95% overnight revenue loss and the shutdown of paid contests, Dream11 is strategically pivoting to become a sports entertainment platform. The company, boasting over 250 million registered users, aims to tap into India's exploding 'watch party' experience within the sports segment. Co-founder and CEO of Dream11 and Dream Sports, Harsh Jain, expressed ambitions to build a global, 'Twitch'-like platform originating from India.

Jain estimates the total addressable market (TAM) for this new venture to be $10 billion in revenue, with a global target of over a billion sports enthusiasts. Describing this move as a proven playbook, Dream11 is diversifying its bets to add value to the ecosystem. The new app will enable users aged 18 and above to watch and interact with their favorite influencers during live matches.

The platform will operate on a free-to-use model, with monetization strategies including in-built advertisements, paid shoutouts, direct interaction with influencers, and an ad-free subscription option. Jain explained that the platform is designed to create richer, more immersive sports experiences, complementing traditional live broadcasts. Initial monetization will focus on smaller transactions, such as ₹3-10 per user for shoutouts or engagements, with a substantial portion of this revenue allocated to influencers, and Dream11 retaining a minor platform fee.

In response to the ban, Dream11 explicitly committed to a free-to-play, ad-supported model. The company has also expanded into the fintech sector with Dream Money, offering wealth management services aimed at a new generation of investors, and has explored entering the broking business, as reported by Mint. Despite being valued at $8 billion and backed by prominent investors like Tencent, Steadview Capital, Tiger Global, TPG, ChrysCapital, TCV, and Alpha Wave Global, Dream11 experienced a notable decline in revenues post-ban, having reported ₹6,384 crore in revenues and ₹188 crore in profits as of March 31, 2023.

Harsh Jain further detailed the company's internal restructuring, repurposing its 1,000-strong employee base. While 200 employees remain with Dream Sports, the remaining 800 have been reallocated to other businesses within the group, which include Dream Sports AI, Dream Set Go, Dream Cricket, Dream Money, and Dream Sports Foundation. Jain emphasized the importance of both user and employee retention, stating that the company is allowing employees to leave without penalty for contract breaches and has guaranteed no layoffs in the engineering team, opting instead to cut operating expenses by, for instance, moving to a more economical office space.

Founded by Jain and Bhavit Seth, Dream Sports is financing this strategic pivot through internal accruals and is not actively seeking follow-on capital for the parent company. However, the other independent businesses under the group will pursue their own growth trajectories and may seek external funding as and when necessary, aligning with the company's strategy for independent business development.