With the inclusion of Esports as an official medal sport at the Asian Games 2022 in Hangzhou, the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee (AINAGOC) announces that esports will be among the nine newly added medal sports for the upcoming Asian Games from 2026. 

In Asian Games 2022, Esports will debut as a Medal Sport. India will also compete in Hangzhou in four titles: DOTA 2, FIFA 22, Street Fighter V and League of Legends, which will kick off on 23 September. 

Also read: Team India To Compete At IESF Asian Qualifiers For Dota 2

The Inclusion Of Esports As A Medal Sport At The Asian Games 2026 Will Give A Boost To Indian Gaming Ecosystem: Stakeholders

In the recent "Windows of Opportunity" report by FICCI-EY, the number of Esports players across all competitive level games in India increased from 600,000 in 2021 to 1 million in 2022. The projection for 2023 is to reach 2.5 million, alongside growth in the number of international Esports teams in India from 7 to 10. 

With the announcement of Esports as a medal sport in Asian Games 2026, here is what Animesh Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO of 8Bit Creatives and S8UL Esports has to say:

"The Esports industry and its passionate community have long been working towards gaining recognition, and the recent announcement clearly indicates the significant progress made by the esports ecosystem on international platforms. The official recognition of Esports as a medal sport further enhances and elevates the standing of esports athletes, placing them on par with mainstream sports personalities. We are optimistic that in the Asian Games 2026, our team, S8ul and 8bit, will have the opportunity to participate and showcase their skills in several esports titles. Moreover, this announcement solidifies the fact that both endemic and non-endemic brands are actively seeking avenues to engage with gamers today and are enthusiastic about investing in the Esports ecosystem."

Since it is big news for the India Gaming ecosystem, here is what Lokesh Suji, the Director of the Esports Federation of India (ESFI) and the Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF), has to say about the development of esports in India:

"With this announcement, it becomes crucial for us to expedite the development of our infrastructure, education programs, training facilities, and overall awareness within the esports ecosystem. Additionally, it is imperative that we provide our athletes with top-notch equipment and resources, empowering them to deliver their best performances on international stages. We encourage the entire nation to embrace this remarkable development."

Stakeholders are excited to see the growth of the Indian Esports ecosystem and want Esports to a scale similar to traditional sports. 

The Electronic Sports Federation of India has opened the registrations for eFootball (Mobile) Phase-1 for the upcoming Waves Esports Championship (WAVES) 2025. Interested Indian players can register for the same till November 11. The competition will begin from November 14 and will be divided into multiple stages. 

All the matches will be streamed live and you can enjoy the matches from the quarterfinals onwards on ESFI's YouTube channel. 

Also read: Brawl Stars Classic Update: New Brawlers, Hypercharges, Game Modes, And More

ESFI Opens eFootball (Mobile) Phase 1 Registrations

WESC25 will be a part of the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) summit, which the government organises. The winner of the tournament will be given a chance to represent India at the Asian Esports Games (AEG) in Bangkok, Thailand. The AEG will also have many other esports titles like Arena of Valor (Open) and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (Female). The final competition of the eFootball tournament will take place on November 27 and 28. 

Talking about the event, ESFI President Vinod Tiwari said:

As we kick off the Waves Esports Championship 2025, we’re not only celebrating the spirit of competitive gaming but also providing an incredible platform to showcase India’s top talent on a continental stage. WAVES represents the growing synergy between esports, innovation, and creative technology in India. The opportunity for our eFootball champion to represent India at the Asian Esports Games in Bangkok is a testament to the immense potential of our players. We’re looking forward to seeing our nation’s talent shine on such a prominent stage and make India proud in the global esports landscape.

The WAVES summit will take place from February 5 to 9, 2025, and will feature 25 unique challenges, including game development contests and AI installations, highlighting India's creative talent. Interestingly, it is a part of the Government of India's ‘Create in India Challenge - Season 1’. 
 

League of Legends and The Esports Club have announced the esports roadmap for the game for the Indian and South Asian regions. The detailed roadmap has everything planned for both amateur and professional players. The matches will be high-intensity and will be full of adrenaline rush. 

The initiative is supported by Crucial by Micron and is sponsored by Zotac Gaming. Both sponsors will be working together to provide the players with a world-class experience for players and audience. 

Also Read: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Release Date: Preloading, Platforms, and More

League of Legends Roadmap Announced

For now, three events have been completed, one is ongoing and one will take place in December 2024. This is what the 2024 roadmap looks like: 

• TEC Community Cup – July Open (Completed)
• TEC Community Cup – August Open (Completed)
• TEC Streamer Clash Invitational (September - Completed)
• Influencer Driven Community Clash (September to December – In Progress)
• TEC Community Clash – December (Upcoming)  

Talking about the event, Vamsi Krishna, Managing Director, Basik Marketing said: 

We are grateful to Riot Games for once again placing their trust in The Esports Club. Having partnered before, we’re eager to advance this collaboration and elevate the esports ecosystem. This roadmap is more than just a series of tournaments; it’s a strategic initiative to build a dynamic community where competition, collaboration, and camaraderie are central. We’re proud to support this endeavour and look forward to its impact on the regional gaming landscape.

Rajesh Gupta, Director Sales - India & SAARC, Micron also talked about the roadmap and their involvement and said: 

At Micron, we are committed to supporting the vibrant gaming community through cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships with our industry-leading Crucial branded products. Our collaboration with The Esports Club and League of Legends for this roadmap exemplifies our dedication to nurturing esports talent and enhancing the competitive gaming landscape. We are excited to see how these tournaments will push boundaries and drive innovation in the region

With PUBG Nations Cup (PNC) concluded fans have been wondering what's next for their favorite battle royale title in the esports scene. Krafton has recently released the complete PUBG Esports 2025 Roadmap, with all the necessary details one would have to know to follow the tournaments.

Looking ahead, fans have a lot to look forward to with PUBG Esports 2024 Roadmap elaborating all the content lined up for the coming year. The 2025 calendar consists of 9 tournaments, each with its twist.

Also read: PUBG Mobile World Cup 2024: Teams, Schedule, And Prize Pool

Complete PUBG Esports 2025 Calendar

PUBG Esports 2025 is progressing with its basic overall structure, hosting 6 global-level tournaments: PGS, PNC, and PGC. Only the top-performing teams throughout the year will advance to the global events.

Various tournaments are set to be hosted throughout the year, which will reward teams with respectable prizes, as they move towards the PUNG Global Championship (PGC). All Tournaments in PUBG Esports 2025 Calendar

• March: Regional Series
• April: PGS 7
• May: PGS 8
• June: PNC 2025
• July: Regional Series
• September: Regional Series:
• October: PGS 9
• November: PGS 10
• December: PGS 2025

Road to PGC 2025

Krafton has stated that PGS will remain a foundation for the journey with teams preparing for the PGC 2025. The calendar has scheduled four events across the year.

Each PGS event will feature 24 teams, consisting of 10 Global Partner Teams and 14 Regional Series Qualifiers from five regions. The regions include China, Korea, EMEA, APAC, and the Americas.

The distribution is as follows:

• China: 2 Seeds
• Korea: 3 Seeds
• EMEA: 2 Seeds
• APAC: 4 Seeds
• Americas: 3 Seeds

The Regional Series from the above will offer the teams to write their journey towards the biggest tournament of the year, PUBG Global Championship (PGC).

Krafton is also working towards 'thrilling' global events that bring the best teams together into the international spotlight. The PUBG Nations Cup (PNC) is also making a return next year, bringing all-star teams together from across the globe as they represent their countries.

Krafton has officially stated that the announcement for applications to the PUBG Global Partner Team Program 2025 will commence on December 1, 2024, at PUBGEsports.com. Applicants will have ample time to prepare, as they go through a thorough internal evaluation. The selection process will be concluded by February 2025.

As Indian gamers immerse themselves in mobile games, a new opportunity is knocking at their door with the addition of eFootball in the FIFAe World Cup. This latest addition will be joining Rocket League and Football Manager to become a part of the FIFAe World Cup in the coming years.

Also Read: Games24x7 Planning To Establish Itself As a Technology Platform

FIFA and Konami Come Together to Add eFootball in FIFAe World Cup

After this addition, India will become one of the 18 countries that will take part in the competition. We will be joining Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Spain, and Portugal. Talking about this opportunity, Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming said:

This collaboration between FIFA and Konami to bring eFootball into the FIFAe World Cup is a significant moment for Indian esports. India's inclusion in this global event is a source of immense national pride. The accessibility of a free-to-play game like eFootball ensures wider participation, and with FIFA fueling the esports ecosystem, we are witnessing the seamless integration of sports and esports—ushering in new opportunities for Indian gamers to shine on the world stage.

Ahead of the World Cup, Indian athletes will be seen showcasing their eFootball talent at the WAVES Esports Championship 2025 (WESC). Interestingly, India has already been taking part in Esports tournaments that have been happening for the title. Talking about this addition, Animesh Agarwal, aka 8Bit Thug, Co-Founder of S8UL and 8Bit Creatives said:

The recognition of India as a region in a global esports tournament like the FIFA eWorld Cup is monumental for Indian esports. This collaboration between KONAMI and FIFA opens up valuable avenues for both mobile and console gamers across the country to compete on the international stage. Additionally, with eFootball being included in the roster of tournaments like WAVES 2025 which is supported by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the title has great potential to bring further opportunities to aspiring Indian esports athletes.

Thug Invitational 2024 is almost here, with BGMI fans ready to set their eyes on their favorite team taking on various contenders from the tournament. Organized by Upthrust Esports, the Thug Invitational 2024 event is expected to be a blast for BGMI fans, and contestants.

Featuring Squads TPP in BGMI, the Invitational will showcase the prowess of 64 participating teams from 19 October to 27 October 2024. The Invitational will feature a massive prize pool of Rs. 8,00,000/ USD 9,517.

The winner of the tournament will walk away with Rs. 3,00,000/ USD 3,568.95, with the second, third, and fourth place holders taking Rs 2,00,000/ USD 2,379.30, Rs 1,50,000/ USD 1,784.47, and Rs. 75,000/ USD 892.24 respectively.

Also read: 8bit Esports Wins TEC Gauntlet Season 2- BGMI

Complete Format for Thug Invitational 2024 Explained

Joined by talented Indian esports teams, the Thug Invitational 2024 will follow a pretty basic format.

Stage 1: Group Stage

The first stage will feature 64 teams landing on the Group Stage to fight out for their position in the Semi-Finals. Only half of the teams will make it to the next stage.

Stage 2: Semi-Finals

The Invitational will start on October 19, 2024, with 32 teams, divided into four groups of 8 teams each. The top 16 teams will qualify for the Grand Finals, as the Semi-Finals stage concludes on October 24, 204.

Stage 2: Grand Finals

The third and final stage of the Invitational will feature the top 16 teams, following a 3-matchday format. Among the 16 remaining squads, only the top four will take on the prize pool. The grand final stage of the tournament will conclude on October 27, 2024.

For anyone becoming the MVP, the player will also receive an additional Rs. 25,000/ USD 297.41 from the prize pool.

Participating Teams

Group A

• Aerobotz
• Bot Army
• Celestics ESP
• Dragon Claw
• Esports Aim
• Inferno Squad
• Medal Esports
• Mogo Esports
• Nonx
• Team Rulers
• Silly Esports
• Team Avii
• Team Havk
• Team IQOO SOUL
• Team LOLZZZ
• Team VST

Group B

• Astro Kinds
• Blizz Network
• Tarkin Spartans
• FAITH ESPORTS
• Fatality Esports
• Gujrat Tigers
• K9
• LEFP
• Orangutan
• Phoenix Esports
• XSPARK
• Rivals Ape X
• Sarkar Gaming
• Team Bosan
• Team Tamilas
• Windgod Esports

Group C

• 2A
• Arrancar ESP
• Autobotz
• Carnival Gaming
• Carpedium
• Dream Team
• E4e
• FS Esports
• GENXFM
• JUSTJELLY
• Mastermind
• Myth
• Nebula Esports
• NUMEN
• Team Misfits
• Team Kanary

Group D

• 4 Merical Esports
• Aliaba Raiders
• ANTIDOTE
• G7 Esports
• GODS REIGN
• Hyderabad Hydras
• Karnadu
• Laztzone
• Reckoning
• Rich Esports
• Team 8BIT
• Team Obey
• Team Versatile
• Team 7Shore
• Team K4C
• Team Z

Map Order

Group A

• Match 1: Erangel
• Match 2: Miramar
• Match 3: Sanhok

Group B

• Match 4: Erangel
• Match 5: Miramar
• Match 6: Sanhok

Gamers can catch the Thug Invitational 2024 live on 8Bit Thug's official YouTube channel.