India Rising: A New Era for Esports and Chess in India
Strategic Alliance to Launch 'India Rising'
The Esports Foundation (EF) has teamed up with JioBLAST to unveil 'India Rising: Road to EWC', a national competition and festival set to take place in India ahead of the Esports World Cup 2026 (EWC), recognized as the largest esports event globally.
This partnership aims to establish a long-term vision through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), focusing on developing the esports ecosystem, starting with India Rising: Road to EWC as a flagship initiative linked to the EWC in India.
Inaugural Edition to Highlight Chess
In collaboration with Jio's digital platforms and Chess.com, the inaugural India Rising will host nationwide open qualifiers for Chess, culminating in a grand final at the fan festival. The champion will secure a spot in the EWC 2026 Chess main event, scheduled in Riyadh from August 11-15, 2026.
While Chess is the first competitive title for the 2026 edition, India Rising: Road to EWC is designed to expand into various esports formats and fan experiences in the coming years.
Event Details and Participation
All titled Indian players will be invited to participate in the closed qualifier section of India Rising, with expectations of over 10,000 grassroots players registering for open participation. The festival will take place offline in Mumbai, featuring the India Rising Chess finals along with creator programming, entertainment, and interactive fan experiences.
Additional exhibition matches in VALORANT and Moba Legends: 5v5! will be part of the event, blending competitive esports with live entertainment, including music, cosplay, comedy, and interactive gaming zones.
Insights from Leadership
"The Esports World Cup aims to unite the global gaming community, which involves investing in regions that are shaping the industry's future," stated Mohammed Al Nimer, Chief Commercial Officer of the Esports Foundation. "India plays a crucial role in this vision, boasting hundreds of millions of players and exceptional chess talent. Our partnership with JioBlast will create new opportunities for Indian players to compete at the highest levels while connecting the EWC with its fans in India."
Charlie Cowdrey, CEO of JioBLAST, remarked, "India has the second-largest gaming base and one of the most enthusiastic gaming communities globally. However, a clear pathway from India to the biggest global stages has been lacking. Our collaboration with the Esports World Cup to establish India Rising: Road to EWC will change that, starting with Chess.com in 2026. This initiative aims to open doors for Indian talent and strengthen connections between players, fans, and publishers, fostering an ecosystem that can grow with the market over time."
Exploring India's Chess and Gaming Landscape
India stands as one of the premier Chess nations, represented by a new generation of Grandmasters such as Gukesh Dommaraju, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, Nihal Sarin, and Arjun Erigaisi. Sarin and Erigaisi represented India at the Esports World Cup 2025, showcasing the country's prowess in competitive gaming.
As one of the fastest-growing gaming markets worldwide, India is projected to exceed 500 million players by 2026, with player spending anticipated to surpass $1 billion. The majority of players, approximately 95%, engage through mobile devices.
JioBLAST's Role in India Rising
Avadh Shah, Country Director - India at Chess.com, expressed, "India boasts one of the most vibrant chess communities globally, with remarkable talent at both grassroots and elite levels. We are excited to partner on India Rising: Road to EWC to create a competitive pathway for players nationwide. We aim to deliver a world-class experience by leveraging our extensive platform alongside Jio's reach and the global stage of the Esports World Cup."
JioBLAST will spearhead the design and execution of India Rising, encompassing competition, festival, and content. This initiative aims to create a structured pathway from grassroots participation in India to global competition at the EWC, while also engaging with regulators in India's evolving regulatory landscape.
EWC Chess Competition Overview
Chess will return to the EWC this summer with a prize pool of $1.5 million, following its successful debut last year, where Magnus Carlsen (Team Liquid) claimed the inaugural title. The competition will expand to include 21 players, featuring a play-in stage and qualification routes, including the India Rising pathway alongside Champions Chess Tour and Chess.com events.