India Rising: Road to EWC Powered by BASF Concludes in Mumbai with CM’s Address, Benjamin Bok Secures Esports World Cup 2026 Spot
CM of Maharashtra Shri. Devendra Fadnavis positions Maharashtra as a future hub for gaming and esports as India Rising: Road to EWC brings together global competition, creators and youth culture under one roof
Dutch Grandmaster Benjamin Bok secured qualification for the Esports World Cup 2026 Chess competition after defeating Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi 2-1 in sets at the India Rising: Road to EWC Powered by BASF Grand Finals, held at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.
The event marked the culmination of India Rising: Road to EWC, a first-of-its-kind gaming and youth culture festival launched by JioBLAST and the Esports Foundation (EF). Bringing together competitive chess, esports, gaming creators, fan experiences and live entertainment, the event positioned Mumbai at the centre of India's rapidly growing gaming ecosystem.
Hon. Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri. Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the festival and reiterated Maharashtra's ambition to become India's leading destination for gaming, esports and the broader digital creative economy.
Speaking at the event, Shri. Devendra Fadnavis, Hon. Chief Minister of Maharashtra, 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."
Following the Chief Minister's visit, the venue transformed into one of the country's largest celebrations of gaming and youth culture. Thousands of fans turned up throughout the day to experience competitive esports, live chess, creator interactions, immersive gaming zones and community activities.
The festival featured interactive gaming booths, hands-on gameplay experiences, live shoutcasting and commentary, cosplay showcases, creator meet-and-greets, fan competitions and entertainment zones, creating an immersive environment that celebrated every aspect of gaming culture. India's leading esports organisations, including S8UL, GodLike and Revenant XSpark, were at the heart of the action, with creators drawing massive crowds throughout the day.
Commenting on the successful conclusion of India’s Biggest Gaming Festival, Charlie Cowdrey, CEO, JioBLAST, said,
"India Rising: Road to EWC reflects our long-term commitment to building India'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."
James Cunningham, Head of Strategy, Esports Foundation, said:
"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."
A vibrant cosplay showcase brought iconic gaming characters to life, while live stage programming, creator interactions and fan experiences kept audiences engaged between competitions. The event also featured a star-studded red carpet, with leading gaming creators, esports athletes and influencers making appearances and generating significant buzz across digital platforms.
Beyond the competitions, India Rising also celebrated the broader gaming ecosystem through the inaugural Gaming Honours, recognising creators, esports athletes and organisations that have played a pivotal role in shaping India's rapidly growing gaming industry.
Gaming Honours 2026 Winners
BASF 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 celebration concluded with an electrifying live performance by acclaimed hip-hop duo Seedhe Maut, bringing thousands of fans together for a spectacular finale. From world-class chess and esports action to creator showdowns, cosplay, fan experiences and live music, India Rising: Road to EWC Powered by BASF showcased the full breadth of India's rapidly evolving gaming and creator ecosystem, setting a new benchmark for gaming festivals in the country.
