KRAFTON India has announced the launch of two new flagship esports tournaments for the second half of 2025: the BGMI Showdown (BMSD) and the BGMI International Cup (BMIC). The initiatives aim to provide Indian teams with direct pathways to the Global Championship (PMGC).
BGMI, or Battlegrounds Mobile India, is the Indian version of PUBG Mobile. It was launched by KRAFTON following a 2020 ban on PUBG Mobile in India due to conflicts with the original publisher, Tencent.
The BGMI Showdown will feature 48 of India’s top teams competing for a prize pool of ₹1 crore (approximately $113,600) and a direct slot into the Global Championship. Meanwhile, the BGMI International Cup will see India’s top eight teams face elite squads from Korea and Japan, with two direct Global Championship spots up for grabs, alongside another ₹1 crore in prizes.
“This is the first time ever that up to three Indian teams could directly qualify for the Global Championship through BMSD and BMIC,” KRAFTON India stated.
The company is also expanding its Campus Tour for 2025–26, which targets grassroots talent from Tier-2 cities, aiming to develop the next generation of esports athletes across India.
KRAFTON India emphasised that the new tournaments are “not just about the big stage” but are part of a broader strategy to elevate national talent, provide international exposure, and position India as a growing force in the global esports ecosystem.
“The journey of BGMI is no longer confined to battlegrounds—it’s about creating a national passion with global ambition,” the company said.
India is entering a phase of rapid expansion in esports, with initiatives such as JioBLAST by BLAST and the integration of the Esports World Cup into its BGMI circuit. Local company NODWIN Gaming has played a key role in raising the profile of the scene, notably through its acquisition of a stake in fighting games esports festival Evo. As developments unfolded, the country has officially recognised esports as a competitive sport, further cementing its growing status in the competitive gaming ecosystem.
