Esports News India 2025: BGMI, Valorant, Free Fire — What’s Happening Now
Esports news India
The esports scene in India has been evolving at breakneck speed, especially in the lead-up to 2025. Once considered a niche, competitive gaming is now a mainstream attraction – so much so that the Indian government officially recognized esports as a multi-sport event in December 2022. For anyone keeping up with esports news India, the headlines are dominated by three games that have captured the nation’s competitive spirit: Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), Valorant, and Free Fire. It’s not uncommon to see esports news India stories about tournaments offering multi-crore prize pools or stadiums filled with fans these days, reflecting the massive growth in just a few years. Each of these titles has its own dramatic story – from bans and comebacks to international breakthroughs and community resilience. In this blog, I’ll dive into the latest updates, team news, tournament highlights, and even some personal commentary on these games that define the esports news India landscape.
BGMI Returns: India’s Battle Royale Revival
When it comes to battle royale esports news India, nothing has been as riveting as the saga of BGMI. This mobile shooter – essentially the Indian version of PUBG Mobile – was banned by the government in July 2022 due to data security concerns, leaving millions of players in dismay. But in a dramatic turn, BGMI made a triumphant return in May 2023 after the government granted a three-month trial approval. In fact, industry insiders noted that the comeback of BGMI boosted the Indian esports industry “by more than four times” in activity and viewership. As a fan watching from home, the surge was obvious – streaming numbers hit record highs and new community tournaments sprang up.
The return of BGMI also reignited fierce competition among India’s top mobile esports teams. Almost immediately, tournament organizers announced new leagues and championships, and teams that had been in limbo sprang back into action. For example, within months of the relaunch, the Battlegrounds Mobile India Series (BGIS) 2023 was held as a national championship – complete with a live crowd and a hefty prize pool. The grand finals in October 2023 saw a packed arena in Mumbai, and even India’s Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra showed up to cheer on the gamers. It was a surreal blending of sports and esports culture that underscored how mainstream gaming had become. In the end, Gladiator Esports emerged victorious at BGIS 2023, clinching the title without even a single “Chicken Dinner” (match win) to their name – a testament to their consistency. Standing in that arena myself, amid thousands of cheering fans, I felt the same adrenaline as a cricket World Cup match. Moments like that made it clear that BGMI’s revival wasn’t just about one game returning, but about an ecosystem getting a second wind.
Gladiators and New Champions: BGMI Esports 2024
Gladiator Esports receiving the BGIS 2023 trophy in front of a roaring crowd (BGMI India Series 2023). The momentum carried into 2024 with even more events, and esports news India couldn’t get enough of BGMI. One storyline that particularly grabbed my attention was the rise of Gladiator Esports (the same squad of “underdogs” that won BGIS 2023). This team had a dream run, winning back-to-back major titles and establishing themselves as the ones to beat. Hot off their India Series championship, they continued their dominance in the NODWIN BGMI Masters Series Season 2 in August 2023. In a nail-biting finale broadcast on primetime television, Gladiator Esports clinched the Masters Series trophy by a mere one-point margin – literally the closest finish imaginable. They walked away with a whopping ₹1 crore prize (~$120,000) for that victory, solidifying their status as the top squad in Indian BGMI.
As someone who watched that final match live on TV, I remember my heart pounding as the commentators shouted themselves hoarse. One of Gladiators’ players, Justin, was crowned MVP for racking up 85 kills over the tournament. Meanwhile, other veteran outfits like Team SouL, GodLike, and OR Esports were scrambling to reassert themselves in this new era. It was fascinating to see a relatively newer lineup dethrone the old guard. The esports news India community was buzzing – social media flooded with discussions about strategy, clutch plays, and debates on whether the Gladiators’ era had truly begun. For me, this was a case study in how quickly the competitive landscape can shift. A year prior, BGMI didn’t even have a pulse in India; by late 2023, its tournaments were drawing TV audiences and creating new esports superstars overnight.
Valorant’s Rise: Tactical Shooters Gain Ground in India
Switching gears from mobile screens to PC arenas, another big part of esports news India is the rise of Valorant. This 5v5 tactical shooter by Riot Games has cultivated a massive following in India since its 2020 launch, and by 2025 it’s safe to say Valorant has gone mainstream here. Walk into any gaming café in Mumbai or Delhi nowadays, and you’ll likely find squads practicing executes on maps like Haven or Ascent. From college campus tourneys to pro leagues, Valorant’s presence is everywhere. The fact that an Indian team earned a slot in the international Valorant Champions Tour speaks volumes about the scene’s growth. Riot Games even brought an official international event – the Valorant India Invitational – to Hyderabad in late 2022, underscoring the region’s importance in the global Valorant roadmap. Top Indian streamers have also embraced Valorant, regularly drawing large audiences on their channels, which further fuels the game’s growth.
Global Esports’ International Breakthrough
Global Esports’ Valorant roster brought Indian representation to the VCT Pacific league (Image via Riot Games). If one story captures India’s step up to the global arena, it’s the saga of Global Esports in the VCT Pacific League. Global Esports’ journey in 2023 was a true rollercoaster, and I followed it every step of the way. In their opening match, they faced Korean giants T1 and pushed the series to a nail-biting third map (not to mention an infamous hour-long tech pause that tested everyone’s patience). Although GE narrowly lost that series, they proved they could hang with Asia’s elite. Over the season, they secured a few victories – including a satisfying 2-0 sweep against Talon Esports – and finished with a 3-6 record in the Pacific league. It wasn’t a championship run, but it broke new ground for an Indian team internationally. Perhaps the most heartening aspect was the support from fans back home; even GE’s captain noted that the Indian fanbase was “incredibly supportive” and “remarkable” throughout their campaign. There was something special about seeing the Indian tricolour on a VCT stage – a proud moment for all of us following the journey.
Valorant Rivalries and Rising Stars in India
Back home, the Valorant scene has been just as lively. The Valorant Challengers League South Asia in 2023 gave local teams a stage to shine, and Orangutan Gaming seized that opportunity. Orangutan dominated the regional circuit, winning the South Asia championship and earning a spot at the VCT Ascension Pacific tournament. They didn’t clinch the APAC promotion in the end, but their performance signaled that more Indian squads are knocking on the door of international Valorant. Meanwhile, domestic rivalries have flourished. Teams like Velocity Gaming, Gods Reign, and others have traded trophies in local events. What’s really exciting is the emergence of individual stars. One example is Ganesh “SkRossi” Gangadhar – he became a sensation with his jaw-dropping sniper plays in local tourneys, and eventually got his chance on the global stage with Global Esports. Even at the grassroots, college and city-level Valorant tournaments are popping up, ensuring a steady influx of new talent into the scene. For me, these developments indicate a healthy pipeline of talent – it’s only a matter of time before an Indian roster makes a deep run in an international event.
Free Fire’s Fall and the Community That Never Gave Up
Team Galaxy Racer crowned champions of Free Fire India Championship 2021 Spring (Image via Garena). Not long ago, Free Fire was as big as any game in India. Garena’s battle royale enjoyed around 40 million monthly active users here before its ban – numbers that can make any gaming executive’s jaw drop. Its esports scene was equally vibrant: tournaments like the Free Fire India Championship (FFIC) pulled in massive viewership. I still remember the 2021 Fall FFIC finals when Team Elite clinched the title, and the streams racked up tens of millions of views. Free Fire had truly become a cultural phenomenon in Indian gaming, producing homegrown esports heroes and passionate fans.
Then came the bombshell in February 2022: Free Fire was abruptly banned by the government, as part of a wider app ban targeting security concerns. One day we were cheering on our champions; the next, the game vanished from app stores. The ban was devastating – not just for pro players, but also for content creators and the broader community. Many players felt adrift. Some pivoted to other titles like COD Mobile or BGMI, while others clung to Free Fire Max (a higher-end version) hoping to keep the fire alive. As a follower of esports news India, it was heartbreaking to see top teams like Total Gaming and TSM FTX suddenly with no stage to compete on. Yet, the Free Fire community did not give up. Social media flooded with hashtags like #BringBackFreeFire, and players kept the competitive spirit alive in scrims and unofficial events, refusing to let the flame die out.
The Long Wait for Free Fire’s Comeback
For the past couple of years, Free Fire fans in India have been eagerly awaiting the game’s return. Garena even announced a dedicated Free Fire India app slated for September 2023, with cricket legend MS Dhoni as its brand ambassador. The community’s excitement was through the roof. However, just one day before the launch date, the rollout was postponed. As of 2025, fans are still waiting for that official comeback.
Despite the game not being officially back yet, the Free Fire esports scene has shown remarkable resilience. In fact, some third-party organizers have kept the flame alive by hosting events on Free Fire Max. Earlier this year, the Skyesports Free Fire Pro League 2025 ran with top Indian squads participating – an almost surreal development given the circumstances. It featured legacy teams like Total Gaming Esports and Team Elite, who managed to finish among the top contenders. Watching the updates on that tournament gave me déjà vu and hope at the same time. The players looked as sharp as ever, and the competition was fierce, proving that they hadn’t lost their edge. For these pros, it’s not just about prize money; it’s about keeping their skills sharp and their team synergy intact as they await the game’s official return. The enduring dedication of the Free Fire community means that when (not if) the game finally makes its comeback, a full-fledged esports ecosystem will be ready and waiting to reignite.
Community and Streaming: The Human Side of Esports
Esports in India isn’t just about competitions – it’s a vibrant culture powered by its community. Popular streamers and YouTubers have played a pivotal role in growing this scene. Personalities like MortaL (Naman Mathur) and Dynamo Gaming became household names by streaming PUBG Mobile/BGMI gameplay to hundreds of thousands of viewers, turning casual gamers into esports fans. Over on the Free Fire side, content creators such as Total Gaming (Ajay) drew in massive audiences with their entertaining streams and highlight videos. I remember tuning into these streams late into the night – it almost felt like hanging out with friends, united by our love for the game. Teams and players also engage their fanbase on social media and via vlogs, giving followers a behind-the-scenes look at esports life. Notably, Indian organization S8UL Esports won the global “Content Group of the Year” honor at the Esports Awards 2022, showcasing the strength of India’s gaming content on the world stage. This strong community and streaming culture means esports news India isn’t confined to tournament results; it’s also about the personalities, memes, and moments shared by the Indian gaming family.
The Road Ahead for Indian Esports
Looking at the esports news India landscape in 2025, one thing is clear: Indian esports is riding a wave of momentum built on passion, resilience, and some incredible talent. Indian esports has already made its mark on the international stage – for instance, the nation’s DOTA 2 team clinched a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Esports Championship. The trajectory is upwards. In fact, a report by FICCI-EY projects that Indian esports revenues will grow from ₹3 billion in 2021 to ₹11 billion by 2025. We’re even seeing structural support from authorities – in 2023, the state of Madhya Pradesh launched India’s first dedicated esports academy to train young players. The government’s support and official recognition of esports give hope for better infrastructure and training at the grassroots. More importantly, the stigma around gaming as a “waste of time” is fading, as esports athletes bring laurels to the country and more parents see viable careers in this field.
As someone who has watched this scene grow from small LAN parties to stadium-filling finals, the journey has been nothing short of inspirational. There are challenges ahead – maintaining international success, securing consistent investments, and continuing to nurture new talent – but I truly believe the best is yet to come. I personally hope to see an Indian team on the podium of a world championship in the near future. One thing’s for sure: the story of Indian esports is just getting started, and we’ll be there, glued to our screens, savoring every moment of it.
