Krafton hosts inaugural BGMI Esports event in Chennai Krafton India, the publisher of Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), organized the finals of its BGIS 2026 esports tournament in Chennai, marking the first time the event was held in the city. The three-day competition featured sixteen elite teams vying for a total prize pool of ₹4 crore. The participating teams were selected through rigorous qualification rounds that attracted over 2 lakh players, with each team consisting of four members. Karan Mahesh Pathak, Associate Director of Esports at Krafton India, shared insights about the event’s significance during a press briefing. He noted that the company now hosts four flagship esports events annually and plans to expand its calendar in the coming year, though specific details about future events were not disclosed. Pathak emphasized that the primary goal of these initiatives is to foster the broader gaming ecosystem rather than generate immediate revenue. “Currently, there is no revenue from these events, and we are investing in the ecosystem,” he explained. The esports events are intended to increase visibility for Krafton’s games and strengthen its brand appeal, particularly among younger audiences. Pathak also highlighted the unique position of India’s gaming industry, stating that while the global gaming sector faces challenges, the talent pool and stability within India’s gaming community remain robust. He pointed out that the Indian market’s dynamics differ from global trends, with the tech sector experiencing some pressure but the gaming industry maintaining resilience. The BGIS 2026 tournament underscores Krafton’s commitment to growing competitive gaming in India.#chennai #bgis_2026 #krafton_india #battlegrounds_mobile_india #karan_mahesh_pathak
BGIS 2026 Grand Finals Get Underway In Chennai - Day 1 Wrap The fifth edition of the BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA SERIES (BGIS) 2026 Grand Finals kicked off on March 27 at the Chennai Trade Centre, marking a pivotal moment in India’s competitive gaming scene. The event, which brings together top teams from across the country, features six matches across three maps—Rondo, Erangel, and Miramar—over two days. With a total prize pool of INR 4 crore, the tournament has drawn significant attention from both live audiences and online viewers tuning in via KRAFTON India Esports’ YouTube channel. The Grand Finals include 16 teams, split into two groups: eight that advanced from the Semifinals in Hyderabad (March 12-15) and eight that secured their spots through the high-pressure Survival Stage (March 16-17). Notable participants include iQOO Soul, GodLike Esports, Orangutan, Revenant XSpark, Genesis, Welt Esports, Nebula, Team Tamilas, and Wyld Fangs. The competition promises intense battles as teams vie for the title and substantial rewards. Day 1 concluded with a tight race for the top spots, as teams demonstrated strategic prowess and consistency. TEAM SOUL emerged as the leader with 66 points, followed closely by GODLIKE and VICTORES SUMUS, who built early momentum. The standings reflected a mix of strong performances and close competition, with teams like RGE and NBE trailing further back. The results set the stage for a thrilling Day 2, which resumes on March 28. BGIS 2026 underscores KRAFTON India’s commitment to fostering a robust esports ecosystem in the country. By providing a structured platform for elite BGMI teams to compete, the tournament not only highlights the growing skill level of Indian gamers but also reinforces the region’s potential as a global esports hub.#bgis_2026 #team_soul #krafton_india #godlike_esports #chennai_trade_centre
KRAFTON India and Kolkata Knight Riders Team Up for BGMI Knight-Themed Gameplay Experience KRAFTON India and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have announced a collaboration to integrate the iconic IPL franchise into the BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA (BGMI) game as part of the upcoming BGMI 4.3 update. The partnership, set to launch on 25 March 2026, introduces exclusive KKR-themed gameplay content, collectables, and fan engagement features designed to bring the team’s identity into the virtual battleground. The update includes two branded items: the Knight Dominion Set (an outfit) and the Eden Charge Buggy (a vehicle skin), allowing players to embody the spirit of the franchise during matches. Seddharth Merrotra, Head of Business Development and Partnerships at KRAFTON India, highlighted the synergy between KKR’s fearless cricket ethos and BGMI’s competitive gameplay. He emphasized that the collaboration goes beyond visual elements, immersing players in the KKR experience mid-match. The integration is timed to coincide with the 2026 IPL season, positioning BGMI as a platform for cricket fans to engage with their teams beyond traditional media. With cricket deeply rooted in India’s culture and gaming gaining traction as a mainstream activity, the partnership offers fans a new way to express loyalty through gameplay. Binda Dey, Chief Marketing Officer of Knight Riders Sports, noted the strong bond between the team and its fans, built on energy and passion. The collaboration extends this connection into the digital gaming space, where a significant portion of the fanbase already engages. This marks a shift in how fans interact with sports, creating a hybrid experience that blends real-world fandom with virtual participation.#kolkata_knight_riders #krafton #krafton_india #bgmi #bgmi_4_3_update
KRAFTON India Introduces Chennai Super Kings in BGMI 4.3 Update KRAFTON India has announced a new collaboration between BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA (BGMI) and the Chennai Super Kings, set to debut in the BGMI 4.3 update on March 21. The partnership brings the iconic cricket team into the game as part of exclusive gameplay content, collectables, and a novel mechanic not previously seen in BGMI. The update includes two themed items: the Thala Legacy Set, an outfit, and the Thala Monster Truck, a vehicle skin, allowing players to embody the spirit of the franchise during matches. KS Viswanathan, Managing Director of Chennai Super Kings, highlighted the team’s deep connection with fans, stating that integrating the franchise into BGMI offers supporters a new way to celebrate their team by merging cricket’s excitement with competitive gameplay. The collaboration is timed to coincide with the 2026 cricket season, aiming to position BGMI as a platform for fan engagement among India’s mobile-first audience. This integration reflects the growing intersection of gaming culture and sports fandom, enabling fans to express loyalty within the game’s battlegrounds. The partnership underscores BGMI’s role as a hub for digital interaction, aligning with India’s cultural emphasis on cricket while expanding gaming’s appeal as a mainstream pastime. KRAFTON, headquartered in Korea, is known for developing popular titles like PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS and PUBG MOBILE, and its Indian division has launched several successful mobile games, including BGMI, which has exceeded 260 million downloads. The company also invests in India’s gaming ecosystem through initiatives like the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator and esports events such as the BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA SERIES.#chennai_super_kings #krafton_india #bgmi #krafton #thala_legacy_set
