The Esports World Cup Foundation has officially announced a major expansion of its presence in India, marking what it calls a significant milestone in its global vision. With a direct invitation for a Battlegrounds Mobile India team and the forging of a regional partnership with a leading Indian streaming service, the move signals a stronger investment in one of the fastest growing esports markets in the world.
This strategic expansion is part of the Esports World Cup Foundation’s mission to create a unified global platform for competitive gaming. As esports continues to grow exponentially in India, the Foundation is turning its focus towards regions with a mobile first player base and highly engaged gaming communities. With India boasting hundreds of millions of gamers and a rapidly maturing esports ecosystem, the country has become a central focus in the EWCF’s long term strategy.
One of the most notable announcements is the inclusion of the Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series winners in the Esports World Cup. While the tournament slot is believed to be part of the global PUBG Mobile competition, the specific format remains unconfirmed. Regardless, the invitation is being seen as a huge step forward for India’s mobile esports scene and will give top BGMI players a chance to compete alongside the best teams in the world.
According to EWCF Chief Operating Officer Mike McCabe, the decision reflects the organization's belief in India’s importance to the future of esports. He emphasized that investing in Indian players and partnerships is a logical next step in the Foundation’s ambition to bring together a truly global competitive environment. The move follows the earlier inclusion of S8UL Esports as an official partner for the 2025 edition of the Esports World Cup, a decision that already showcased EWCF’s growing interest in India.
This expansion also comes after a series of high profile partnerships by the Foundation across the international esports landscape. From teaming up with Tencent to strengthen links with the Chinese gaming community to securing agreements with Riot Games for major titles like League of Legends, VALORANT, and Teamfight Tactics, the EWCF is positioning itself as a central hub for cross continental esports.
India’s addition to that mix opens doors not just for competitive opportunities but also for increased visibility, streaming partnerships, and infrastructure development. The Foundation’s new collaboration with an unnamed Indian streaming service is expected to play a crucial role in delivering live coverage and boosting local engagement with the Esports World Cup.
While the expansion has generated excitement, it also comes amid ongoing scrutiny. The EWCF is supported by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund and continues to face criticism for perceived esportswashing and concerns surrounding Saudi Arabia’s broader human rights issues. Still, for many Indian players and fans, the chance to participate in a tournament of this scale is a long awaited breakthrough.
As preparations for the 2025 Esports World Cup continue to unfold, all eyes will be on India’s representatives and how this expansion shapes the country’s position on the global esports map.
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