India Rising: Road to EWC Set to Transform Esports Landscape

A New Era for Esports in India

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 11: The Esports Foundation (EF) has teamed up with JioBLAST to unveil a groundbreaking initiative called India Rising: Road to EWC. This national competition pathway and festival is set to take place in India as a precursor to the Esports World Cup 2026 (EWC), which is recognized as the largest event in the esports and gaming sector.

The partnership aims to establish a long-term vision beyond 2026, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to collaboratively enhance the esports ecosystem. India Rising: Road to EWC will serve as a flagship event linked to the EWC in India, as stated in an official release.

In collaboration with Jio, utilizing its digital platforms, and Chess.com, India Rising will host nationwide open qualifiers for Chess, culminating in a grand finale at the fan festival. The champion will earn a spot in the EWC 2026 Chess main event, scheduled to take place in Riyadh from August 11-15, 2026.

As the 2026 edition marks the introduction of Chess as its first competitive title, it aims to leverage India's strong global presence in the game. The India Rising initiative is designed to expand in the coming years, incorporating various esports formats and fan-centric experiences as it evolves.

All titled Indian players will be invited to participate in the closed qualifier segment of India Rising, with expectations of over 10,000 grassroots players registering for open participation.

The festival will occur offline in Mumbai, where attendees can witness the India Rising Chess finals alongside creator programming, entertainment, and interactive fan experiences.

Additional exhibition matches in VALORANT and Moba Legends: 5v5! will be part of the event, merging competitive esports with live entertainment, including live music, cosplay, comedy, interactive gaming zones, and dedicated areas for fan engagement.

Mohammed Al Nimer, Chief Commercial Officer of the Esports Foundation, stated, “The Esports World Cup aims to unite the global gaming community, which involves investing in regions that are shaping the industry's future. India plays a pivotal role in this vision, boasting hundreds of millions of players and exceptional chess talent. Our partnership with JioBlast is creating new avenues for Indian players to compete at the highest levels while bringing the EWC closer to its fans.”

Charlie Cowdrey, CEO of JioBLAST, remarked, “India has the second-largest gaming community globally, yet a clear pathway to the biggest international 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, we aim to open doors for Indian talent and foster stronger connections among players, fans, and publishers.”

India is recognized as a leading Chess nation, with 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 high-level competition. With the gaming market in India rapidly expanding, it is projected to exceed 500 million players by 2026, with player spending anticipated to surpass $1 billion, predominantly on mobile devices.

Avadh Shah, Country Director – India, Chess.com, expressed, “India boasts one of the most vibrant chess communities globally, with remarkable talent at both grassroots and elite levels. We are thrilled to partner on India Rising: Road to EWC to create an open and competitive pathway for players nationwide.”

JioBLAST will spearhead the design and execution of India Rising, encompassing competitions, festivals, and content creation. This initiative aims to provide a structured route from grassroots participation in India to global competition at the EWC, while JioBLAST continues to engage with regulators in light of India's evolving regulatory landscape.

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.