Building a Structured Esports Ecosystem in India

For years, the Indian esports scene has been characterized by a lack of consistent structure. Players often face uncertainty regarding tournament schedules and prize money distribution, hindering their ability to train and compete at the highest level. Gautam Badalia, drawing on his experience playing for a US-based esports team, highlighted this disparity. “Abroad, everything is organized – players have conditioning coaches, mental health coaches, and a year-long calendar,” he explained. “In India, things are far more uncertain.”

This lack of structure has resulted in delayed or unpaid prize money, a common frustration for Indian esports athletes. Badalia himself recounted waiting for winnings from nearly 300 out of 500 college esports events he participated in. ISGL aims to rectify this by implementing a season-based format with guaranteed prize pools and professional support for players.

The league is managed by LetsGameNow (LGN) and will feature a franchise-based model, bringing together prominent sports teams such as Mumbai City FC, FC Goa, Chennaiyin FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Inter Kashi, Puneri Paltan, Bangalore Bhargavas, and Andhra Agneyas. This convergence of traditional sports and esports is expected to attract a wider audience and unlock new commercial opportunities.

Santanu Basu emphasized the league’s commitment to identifying and nurturing talent. “Our vision with ISGL is to build a structured league that can help identify and nurture the next generation of Indian esports medallists.” The league plans to scout talent through college tournaments, school competitions, and grassroots initiatives, creating a pan-India framework with regional pathways leading to a national grand finale.

Beyond domestic competition, ISGL is actively pursuing international collaborations. Discussions are underway with countries like Saudi Arabia and Finland to facilitate bilateral opportunities for Indian gamers to compete globally and for international players to participate in India. Esports Insider reports consistent global growth, highlighting the potential for India to become a major player in the international arena.

The league’s game selection prioritizes titles recognized in global competitions and the Asian Games, including FIFA, chess, and Call of Duty. This strategic choice aims to provide players with a clear pathway to represent India on the international stage. While popular India-centric titles like BGMI are not currently featured, ISGL plans to expand its game lineup to include up to 12 titles over time.

Commercial sustainability is a key focus for ISGL. The league will explore multiple revenue streams, including sponsorships, media rights, and ticket sales. The founders envision a future where live esports events draw large crowds, mirroring the popularity of esports in countries like China and South Korea. Do you think India can replicate the fervent live esports culture seen in East Asia?

The partnership with established sports franchises is a strategic move to leverage their existing fan base and digital reach. The Indian Super League, for example, boasts a viewership of over 114 million fans, while esports games like FC Mobile have around 500 million downloads globally. By combining these ecosystems, ISGL aims to create a larger and more engaged fan base.

ISGL’s ecosystem extends beyond the league itself. Plans are underway to launch gaming labs, gaming cafés, and incubation platforms to support players and developers. The league is also developing original games, including a table tennis esports mobile game and “Bharat Run,” an educational game that allows players to explore India’s history and landmarks. What innovative approaches can ISGL take to further integrate education and esports?

Looking ahead, Badalia and Basu are optimistic about the future of Indian esports. They believe that India has the potential to become a leading esports market, given its large gaming population and growing infrastructure. With over 450–500 million gamers, India possesses immense talent, but requires the right support to unlock its full potential.

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