The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has announced a series of initiatives aimed at deepening its engagement with the Indian esports ecosystem. Key developments include a forthcoming strategic broadcast partnership with India’s leading streaming and digital services provider, and the invitation of a Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) team to the Esports World Cup 2025. Actions add to the previously announced inclusion of indian organisation S8UL Esports in the EWCF Club Partner Program.
Through a collaboration with KRAFTON India, the winner of the Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series (BMPS) will be officially invited to compete in the 2025 edition of the Esports World Cup. This marks the first time an Indian BGMI team will compete against international PUBG Mobile counterparts at the event.
In addition, the yet-to-be-announced Indian broadcast partner is set to play a central role in driving local engagement. The agreement will include localized broadcasts, community initiatives, and exclusive content for India’s gaming audience—estimated at over 500 million players.
“The Esports World Cup’s purpose is to unite the global gaming community, and that means investing in regions driving the future of the industry,” said Mike McCabe, Chief Operating Officer of the Esports World Cup Foundation. “India is central to that vision. With hundreds of millions of mobile-first players, it’s home to an ecosystem evolving at an incredible pace—from championship clubs like S8UL to leading digital platforms that are transforming how fans experience esports.”
The Mumbai-based organisation S8UL Esports has joined the EWCF Club Partner Program along with other 39 teams from around the world. Formed from the merger of Indian teams SOUL and 8bit, S8UL has already secured qualification for the Esports World Cup 2025 in titles such as Apex Legends and EA SPORTS FC, and is pursuing additional spots in Tekken, FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, BGMI, and Chess. The organisation, however, was left out of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang tournament due to controversy with two of its players.
Hans Jagnow, Director Team & Player Relations and responsible for Special Projects at the Esports World Cup Foundation, commented on the expansion in a LinkedIn post: “Expanding into the Indian market is not an easy task, and we are gladful to have built strong partnerships with many stakeholders, including S8UL Esports that are making their debut in a variety of titles at EWC25 and growing their global footprint. Joining the EWCF Club Partner Program created an amazing collaboration over various campaigns and activations.”
The Esports World Cup 2025 is scheduled to take place this summer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and will feature some of the world’s leading teams and titles. With India’s growing participation, this year’s event is expected to mark a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing integration into the global esports landscape.
