India Rising
The nation’s gaming revolution just got a major power-up. What unfolded at Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre wasn’t merely a championship… it was an electrifying, exciting statement. The grand finale of India Rising: Road to EWC Powered by BASF brought together world-class chess, esports, gaming creators, live entertainment and thousands of passionate fans, cementing India’s place on the global gaming map.
At the heart of it all was a thrilling showdown that saw Dutch Grandmaster Benjamin Bok secure his place at the Esports World Cup 2026, while Maharashtra reinforced its ambitions of becoming India’s gaming capital. TheGlitz takes you inside one of the country’s biggest gaming spectacles.
Benjamin Bok Secures His Ticket to the Esports World Cup 2026
The spotlight belonged to Dutch Grandmaster Benjamin Bok, who emerged victorious after an intense 2-1 battle against Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi in the Chess Grand Finals. The victory earned Bok a coveted qualification spot at the Esports World Cup 2026, marking a fitting climax to a tournament that attracted some of the finest chess talent and captivated fans throughout the festival.
The gripping contest demonstrated how chess has seamlessly found a new home within the fast-evolving world of esports, drawing in both traditional chess enthusiasts and next-generation gaming audiences.
A Festival That Celebrated More Than Competition
Conceptualised by JioBLAST in partnership with the Esports Foundation (EF), India Rising: Road to EWC evolved into a vibrant celebration of gaming, digital creativity and youth culture.
Visitors explored immersive gaming zones, creator meet-and-greets, cosplay showcases, fan engagement experiences and entertainment activations that transformed the venue into a playground for the nation’s rapidly expanding gaming community.
Leading esports organisations including S8UL and GodLike added to the excitement, while thousands of fans gathered to celebrate a shared passion that continues to redefine modern entertainment.
Maharashtra Signals Its Esports Ambition
The festival received a significant boost with the presence of Hon. Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri. Devendra Fadnavis, who inaugurated the event and outlined the state’s vision of becoming the nation’s leading destination for gaming, esports and the broader digital creative economy.
He said: “Gaming has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments of the global entertainment economy, and India has the talent and digital capability to play a leading role in its future. Maharashtra is committed to creating an enabling ecosystem for gaming, esports, digital content and the creator economy through progressive policies, world-class infrastructure and industry partnerships. India Rising: Road to EWC represents an important step towards creating global opportunities for Indian youth while strengthening Maharashtra’s position as a hub for the digital creative economy.”
Highlighting gaming as one of the world’s fastest-growing entertainment sectors, the Chief Minister reaffirmed Maharashtra’s commitment to creating world-class infrastructure, progressive policies and industry partnerships that can unlock global opportunities for the youth while strengthening the state’s position in the digital economy.
His address underscored the growing recognition of gaming as a serious industry capable of driving innovation, entrepreneurship and employment.
Industry Leaders Look Towards Global Future
For organisers, the overwhelming response reinforced the nation’s emergence as one of the world’s most exciting gaming markets.
Charlie Cowdrey, CEO of JioBLAST, described the festival as the beginning of a long-term vision to build a thriving gaming ecosystem where players, creators, fans and industry stakeholders can come together while creating stronger pathways for Indian talent to compete internationally.
He said, “India Rising: Road to EWC reflects our long-term commitment to building the nation’s gaming ecosystem by creating a platform where competition, creators, fans, and industry can come together. The enthusiasm we’ve witnessed throughout the festival reinforces India’s emergence as one of the world’s most exciting gaming markets. This is only the first chapter, and we look forward to expanding the platform in the years ahead while creating more pathways for Indian talent to connect with the global stage.”
Echoing this sentiment, James Cunningham, Head of Strategy at the Esports Foundation, highlighted India’s rapidly growing gaming community and the importance of creating meaningful qualification pathways that connect Indian players to the prestigious Esports World Cup ecosystem.
He averred, “India has established itself as one of the world’s most exciting gaming markets, and India Rising: Road to EWC demonstrated both the scale of its community and the quality of its competitive talent. Together with JioBLAST, we’re proud to have created a meaningful qualification pathway that connects Indian audiences and players with the global Esports World Cup ecosystem.”
Celebrating the Best of Indian Gaming
One of the festival’s biggest highlights was the inaugural Gaming Honours 2026, recognising the creators, organisations and personalities shaping India’s gaming landscape.
The winners included:
- Content Group of the Year: S8UL
- PC Creator of the Year: GamerFleet
- Male Creator of the Year: JokerKiHaveli
- Regional Creator of the Year: Shreeman Legend
- Female Creator of the Year: Xyaa
- Esports Player of the Year: Jonathan Gaming
- Outstanding Contribution to Indian Esports: Mortal & 8Bit Thug
The awards celebrated the incredible diversity, creativity and influence of the nation’s gaming community, recognising individuals who continue to inspire millions across the country.
A Grand Finale Worth Remembering
As the competitive action came to an end, the energy shifted from gaming arenas to the concert stage, where acclaimed hip-hop duo Seedhe Maut delivered an electrifying live performance that brought the festival to a spectacular close.
From world-class competition and immersive fan experiences to visionary leadership and unforgettable entertainment, India Rising: Road to EWC Powered by BASF successfully showcased the extraordinary momentum of India’s gaming ecosystem.
TheGlitz Take
If this inaugural edition is any indication, the nation’s journey to becoming a global esports powerhouse has only just begun… —and the road ahead promises to be bigger, bolder and infinitely more exciting.
