Google Play and NODWIN launch India mobile esports series

Google Play and NODWIN Gaming launched Google Play Arena on Oct. 23, 2026. The six-title mobile esports series will hold free public registrations and open qualifiers before a live Grand Finale on Dec. 19-20, 2026.

The competition will include established esports clubs and teams formed through public registration. Participating clubs include Orangutan, GodLike, Apex Gaming, Revenant XSpark and Team S8UL.

The games are Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), Free Fire MAX, Moba Legends: 5v5!, Real Cricket, Chess.com and EA FC Mobile. They cover battle royale, multiplayer online battle arena, sports simulation and strategy games.

Former India cricket captain MS Dhoni is launching Mahi Clutchers, a new esports club formed through the open qualifiers. Amateur players can compete for a place on the team and play under Dhoni’s brand.

NODWIN Gaming will manage the tournament format, partner arrangements, event production and broadcast. Google Play is supporting the series through its role as an application distribution platform.

Kanika Kalra, director of consumer apps and platforms marketing at Google India, described the series as a national platform for Indian gaming talent. “India’s mobile gaming ecosystem continues to undergo exciting growth driven by a deeply passionate and strategic community of players, and our goal with this championship is to celebrate this talent on a national stage,” she said.

Akshat Rathee, co-founder and managing director of NODWIN Gaming, said the event would bring together sports figures, established esports organisations and players entering through open competition. “India’s gaming community continues to grow in both scale and diversity, with gaming becoming an increasingly important part of how young audiences connect, compete and engage with the interests they share,” he said.

NODWIN recently launched NODWIN Sports, a division focused on sports properties, mass-participation fitness events and sports advisory services in India and the Global South. Google Play has sponsored ASL Season 22, SOOP’s StarCraft: Remastered league in South Korea, marking the fourth consecutive season supported by the company.

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