Gaming
Reckoning and GodLike Esports to take India to Pokémon Unite Asia 2026
Two top Indian teams clinch spots in Japan’s Asia Champions League showdown
MUMBAI: India’s Pokémon Unite scene is set to shine on the global stage as Reckoning Esports and GodLike Esports secure their places at the Pokémon Unite Asia Champions League 2026 in Japan.
Reckoning Esports booked India’s primary slot by winning the India League, a $20,000 online tournament featuring ten of the nation’s top esports outfits. The league spanned five action-packed matchdays before culminating in a nail-biting King of the Hill Playoff. In the grand final, Reckoning edged past GodLike Esports 3–2, denying the fan favourites the title.
Reflecting on the victory, Reckoning Esports captain Jeet “Swifty” Kundra said, “Winning after such a long season means a lot. The format tested our consistency and mental strength, and the grand final showed just how close the competition is. Representing India in Japan is an honour, and we can’t wait for the challenge.”
GodLike Esports bounced back in style via the Pokémon Unite Winter Tournament 2026, an open-qualifier event giving teams from across India a shot at glory. They stormed through the single-elimination bracket and clinched a 3–0 win in the grand final, securing India’s second slot at the Asia Champions League.
Commenting on the comeback, GodLike Esports captain Om “Scepter” Gore said, “Losing the India League final was tough, but it drove us to come back stronger. The Winter Tournament let us focus on clean, confident play, and qualifying for the PUACL feels incredible. We’re determined to make India proud on the world stage.”
GodLike Esports founder & CEO Chetan “Kronten” Chandgude added, “This is a huge moment for Indian esports. Our team’s dedication has earned them the right to represent India, and we’re excited to showcase our talent to the world.”
The Pokémon Unite Asia Champions League 2026 takes place at Yokohama Buntai, Japan, on 28–29 March. Reckoning and GodLike will be among 16 teams vying for the championship and a share of the $200,000 prize pool.
Gaming
MTG gaming chief Benninghoff joins NODWIN board as esports firm primes for IPO
The Gurugram-based esports firm is pursuing a public listing, has returned to profitability and is growing revenues by 42 per cent
GURUGRAM: NODWIN Gaming is moving fast. The Gurugram-based gaming and esports company has launched a pre-IPO fundraising round, appointed UBS as lead adviser for both the round and a subsequent public listing, and landed a heavyweight board director, all in one go.
The new board member is Arnd Benninghoff, executive vice president of gaming at Stockholm-listed Modern Times Group (MTG), who has overseen the group’s strategic investments and portfolio growth since 2014. He is no stranger to building things: Benninghoff has founded and built fifteen companies, served as chief digital officer at ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG, managing director of SevenVentures, and chief executive of Holtzbrinck eLAB. He began his career as a journalist at Deutsche Presse Agentur and various TV networks, holds a Diplom-Kaufmann in business and administration from the University of Münster, and previously sat on the board of Edgeware AB.
The numbers back the ambition
NODWIN is not pitching a story without substance. The company has returned to EBITDA profitability and posted a 42 per cent year-on-year revenue surge, reaching $58.5m in the first nine months of FY2026. The pre-IPO round will combine a primary issuance to fund global expansion through organic growth and acquisitions, alongside a secondary sale to give existing shareholders some liquidity.
Akshat Rathee, co-founder and managing director of NODWIN Gaming, said Benninghoff understands “the entire lifecycle of the gaming and media ecosystem, from the boots-on-the-ground reality of building startups to the strategic complexity of managing multi-billion dollar global portfolios.”
Benninghoff, for his part, said the company “sits at the intersection of sports, entertainment, and technology, making it one of the most exciting players in the global gaming landscape today.”
A portfolio built for the global south
Founded in 2014 by Rathee and Gautam Virk, NODWIN has quietly assembled one of the more compelling esports portfolios outside the Western hemisphere. Its properties include DreamHack India and Comic Con India, and it recently acquired StarLadder, the Ukraine-based tournament organiser behind premier events in CS:GO and Dota 2. The company also serves as a long-term strategic marketing partner for the Evolution Championship Series (EVO), the world’s most prominent fighting game tournament, helping push it into new geographies.
Its geographic focus spans South Asia, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Backers include Nazara Technologies, KRAFTON, Sony Group Corporation, JetSynthesys, and the founders’ investment vehicle Good Game Investments.
What comes next
With UBS running the books, a board freshly reinforced with European media and gaming expertise, and revenue heading in the right direction, NODWIN is laying the groundwork deliberately. The esports industry has burned investors before with big promises and thin margins. NODWIN’s return to profitability, combined with a real portfolio of owned intellectual properties across gaming, music and youth culture, gives it a more credible runway than most. The IPO clock is now ticking.
