Tamil Nadu gears up for India’s biggest global esports showdown
Chennai is set to host India’s biggest global esports tournament, the Chennai Esports Global Championship (CEGC), bringing together top gaming teams from India, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Organised by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) in collaboration with Skyesports, the event will feature tournaments in Counter-Strike 2 and Battlegrounds Mobile India, positioning the city as a growing centre for competitive gaming.
Vision behind the CEGC
The CEGC is an international esports tournament organised in partnership with Skyesports. It aims to support esports talent in Tamil Nadu and promote India’s presence in global competitive gaming. SDAT supports the CEGC to provide international exposure for local youth and establish esports as a formal part of the state’s sports framework.
The inauguration aims to recognise esports as a legitimate career path and industry, encouraging youth in India to engage with the global esports ecosystem. The tournament will take place over two weeks in November 2025 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium.
CEGC tournaments details
The Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) tournament will be held from 7–9 November, featuring teams from India, Southeast Asia, and Europe. It offers a prize pool of $50,000 and contributes to the Valve Regional Standings, enabling teams to earn global ranking points. The Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) competition, scheduled for 14–16 November 2025, will see the top 16 Indian mobile gaming teams compete for ₹50 lakh. Regional qualifiers across the three regions will determine the top two teams from each to participate in Chennai.
Empowering Indian esports
Founded by Shiva Nandy, Skyesports has played a key role in advancing esports in India. Through partnerships and tournaments, it has helped connect Indian gamers with international platforms. He said the Chennai Esports Global Championship signals India’s readiness to engage with global esports.
Nandy stated, “We are expecting a crowd of 20,000 over six days at the event, while five million people are expected to watch the Championships across several streaming platforms.”
Dr Atulya Misra IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, noted that the initiative aligns with Tamil Nadu’s aim to integrate technology and sports for youth development.
Misra said, “Thanks to the vision of our Hon’ble Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu has become the epicentre of India’s esports revolution. What started as a demo segment in last year’s CM Trophy Games 2024 has now evolved into full-scale tournaments, international championships, and a vibrant ecosystem. Tamil Nadu is not just leading the country, we’re aiming for the global stage.”
India’s position in global esports
The global esports market was valued at $2.08 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $10.06 billion by 2033, according to IMARC Group. India had 453 million gamers in 2023, with the number expected to exceed 730 million by 2028.
Esports competitions create jobs in industries including digital marketing, media, and tourism. By enlisting experts like streamers, content producers, and event planners, they help promote the creative economy and give young people new job alternatives. With increasing government involvement and infrastructure development, India is emerging as a significant contributor to the global esports industry, following paths similar to countries like South Korea and Saudi Arabia.
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