Esports Tournaments in India
A complete breakdown of every major competitive gaming event in India — who competes, how much they win, and how you can get involved.
Competitive gaming in India has come a long way from the days of playing Counter-Strike in dingy cyber cafes for bragging rights. Today, Indian esports tournaments offer prize pools in crores, attract millions of viewers, and have turned some of the best players into household names. If you have ever watched MortaL clutch a 1v4 in BGMI and thought "I could do that," this guide is for you.
We have mapped out every major tournament in the Indian esports calendar, who runs them, how much money is on the line, and most importantly — how an ordinary player with skill and dedication can actually qualify and compete.
BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India)
BGMI is the undisputed king of Indian esports in terms of viewership, player base, and prize money. Krafton, the publisher, has invested heavily in building a structured competitive ecosystem that gives grassroots players a clear path to the top. Here are the major BGMI tournaments:
BGIS (Battlegrounds Mobile India Series)
₹3.2 CrThe biggest BGMI tournament of the year. BGIS 2025 had a prize pool of ₹3.2 crore, up from ₹2.5 crore in 2024. The tournament is open to everyone — literally anyone with a BGMI account and a phone can register. The format starts with open qualifiers where thousands of teams compete, narrowing down through quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a grand finale held as a LAN event (in-person) at a major venue.
In 2025, the grand finale was held in Delhi with 16 teams competing over four days. GodLike Esports, led by Jonathan, took the title along with approximately ₹1 crore in prize money. The event was livestreamed and pulled in over 2 million concurrent viewers across YouTube and Loco.
BMPS (BGMI Pro Series)
₹4 CrBMPS is the pro-league version of BGMI competitive — only the top teams from BGIS and previous BMPS seasons are invited. The 2025 edition featured the largest prize pool in Indian mobile esports history at ₹4 crore. Unlike BGIS which is open to all, BMPS is for established teams that have proven themselves in prior competitions.
The format includes regular season matches spread over several weeks followed by playoff rounds and a grand finale. Teams like SouL, OR Esports, Team XSpark, and GodLike are regular competitors. Player salaries in these teams range from ₹20,000 to ₹1,50,000 per month, on top of any prize winnings.
BGMI Master Series (BGMS)
₹1 Cr+BGMS was introduced as a televised esports property — it aired on Star Sports and JioCinema in 2024, bringing esports to mainstream Indian television for the first time. The production quality was on par with traditional sports broadcasts, with commentary panels, analysis desks, and slow-motion replays. Prize pool was around ₹1 crore with additional sponsor bonuses.
Valorant
Riot Games has been quietly but steadily building Valorant's competitive scene in India. The VCT (Valorant Champions Tour) South Asia league gives Indian teams a legitimate pathway to international competition, which was something that was sorely missing for Indian PC gamers.
VCT South Asia
$50K+Part of Riot's global Valorant Champions Tour structure, VCT South Asia features the best teams from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and other South Asian countries. Indian organizations like Global Esports, Velocity Gaming, and Medal Esports have been consistent performers. The top team from VCT South Asia earns a spot in the VCT APAC (Asia-Pacific) league, where they compete against teams from Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.
What makes Valorant exciting for Indian esports is the international exposure — Indian players get to compete on the same stage as Korean and Japanese pros, and the prize pools at the international level reach millions of dollars. Global Esports' journey through VCT 2024 was a landmark moment for Indian PC esports.
For aspiring Valorant pros, the path starts with Riot's open qualifiers, which are free to enter for any team of five players. From there, you progress through Challengers rounds into the main VCT South Asia league. Unlike BGMI, Valorant requires a PC setup, so the barrier to entry is higher, but the competition is also less saturated — there are fewer teams competing at the top level, meaning talented new players can break through faster.
Other Notable Tournaments
Free Fire India Championship
Garena's marquee Indian tournament for Free Fire, with prize pools around ₹75 lakhs to ₹1 crore. Free Fire has a massive following in tier-2 and tier-3 Indian cities, and the competitive community is vibrant. Total Gaming (Ajju Bhai), one of India's biggest gaming YouTubers, built his career largely on Free Fire content.
Skyesports Championship
Skyesports, founded by Shiva Nandy, has become one of the most respected third-party tournament organizers in India. They host events across multiple titles including Valorant, BGMI, and CS2. Their production quality is consistently high, and brands like AMD, HyperX, and Red Bull regularly sponsor their events. Prize pools range from ₹25 lakhs to ₹1 crore depending on the title.
WCG (World Cyber Games) India Qualifiers
The World Cyber Games returned in 2024, and India now has official qualifying tournaments. WCG covers a wider range of games and sends Indian players to compete internationally. It is a great opportunity for players looking to get international exposure without necessarily being part of a big esports org.
Top Indian Esports Organizations
If you are serious about going pro, understanding the Indian esports org landscape is essential. These are the teams that consistently compete at the highest level and offer player salaries, coaching, and bootcamp facilities:
GodLike Esports
Founded by Chetan "Kronten" Chandgude. Home to Jonathan, one of India's most skilled BGMI players. Multiple BGIS and BMPS titles. Known for aggressive playstyle and strong IGL (In-Game Leader) calls.
Team SouL
Co-founded by MortaL and Thug (now known as S8UL). One of the most iconic Indian esports brands. Their Mumbai gaming house is valued in crores. Compete in BGMI and other titles.
OR Esports (Orange Rock)
Another consistently strong BGMI team. Known for their strategic, patience-based gameplay that contrasts with GodLike's aggression. Multiple top-4 finishes in major tournaments.
Global Esports
India's premier Valorant organization. They were the first Indian team to compete seriously on the international VCT stage. Backed by significant investor funding and have a professional infrastructure rivaling Southeast Asian teams.
How to Actually Qualify
Here is the honest truth about going pro in Indian esports: it is accessible, but it requires serious dedication. Unlike some international scenes where you need connections or expensive training, Indian tournaments generally have open qualification paths. Here is how they typically work:
Build a Team
For BGMI, you need a 4-player squad plus a substitute. For Valorant, you need 5 players. Find teammates through scrims (practice matches), Discord communities, or by reaching out to players you meet in ranked games. Chemistry matters more than individual skill at the team level.
Grind Ranked
In BGMI, aim for Conqueror rank. In Valorant, Immortal or Radiant. High rank does not guarantee tournament success, but it is a minimum baseline that shows you have the mechanical skills to compete. Most pro players spend 6-8 hours daily practicing.
Play Scrims and Small Tournaments
Before entering big tournaments, play scrims (custom room practice matches organized on Discord) against other teams. Start with small third-party tournaments on platforms like Skyesports, Nodwin Gaming, or community-run events. These have smaller prize pools (₹10,000-50,000) but provide invaluable competitive experience.
Register for Open Qualifiers
BGIS, BMPS qualifiers, and VCT open qualifiers are free to enter. Register when they open (typically announced on the game's official social media channels), prepare your team, and compete. You will lose a lot at first — every pro team did. The key is to review your gameplay, identify mistakes, and improve between each tournament.
Not Ready for Competitive? Start Streaming Instead
You do not need to be a pro player to make a career in gaming. Content creation is an equally viable path.