ESPORTS Foundation and JioBLAST Forge Strategic Partnership for ‘India Rising: Road to EWC’ Festival

Nationwide Chess Qualifiers to Culminate in Grand Finale, Winner Advances to EWC 2026 in Riyadh

Esports Foundation and JioBLAST Unite for ‘India Rising: Road to EWC’ Festival

In an exciting development for the Indian esports landscape, the Esports Foundation (EF) and JioBLAST have announced a strategic partnership to launch the ‘India Rising: Road to EWC (Esports World Cup 2026)’ festival. This initiative aims to create a national competition pathway leading up to the world’s largest esports and gaming event, set to take place in Riyadh from August 11 to 15, 2026.

The festival will kick off with nationwide open qualifiers for chess, culminating in a grand finale held on LAN at a fan festival in Mumbai. The winner of this prestigious event will secure a coveted spot in the EWC 2026 main event, marking a significant milestone as chess makes its debut as a competitive title at the tournament.

A Platform for Talent

The ‘India Rising’ festival will invite all titled Indian players to participate in a closed qualifier section, while over 10,000 grassroots players are expected to register for open qualifiers. This initiative not only aims to spotlight India’s chess talent but also to foster a vibrant esports ecosystem across the country.

The Mumbai fan festival promises to be a spectacular event, featuring not only the chess finals but also a variety of entertainment options. Attendees can look forward to creator programming, live music, cosplay, comedy, and interactive gaming zones. Additional exhibition matches in popular titles like VALORANT and Moba Legends: 5v5! will further enhance the experience, making it a celebration of competitive esports and live entertainment.

A Vision for the Future

The partnership between EF and JioBLAST extends beyond the 2026 event, with plans to formalize a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at jointly developing the esports ecosystem in India. This collaboration is expected to pave the way for future initiatives that will continue to elevate the country’s standing in the global esports arena.

Chess Takes Center Stage

As chess returns to the EWC this summer with a staggering $1.5 million prize pool, the competition is set to expand to a 21-player field, featuring a play-in stage. The inaugural title was claimed by chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen (Team Liquid) last year, and the anticipation for this year’s event is palpable.

With the ‘India Rising: Road to EWC’ festival, the Esports Foundation and JioBLAST are not only creating a platform for competitive chess but also igniting a passion for esports among fans and players alike. As the countdown to the EWC 2026 begins, all eyes will be on India as it prepares to showcase its talent on the global stage.

Stay tuned for more updates as this exciting journey unfolds!