JioBLAST & Esports foundation launch nationwide VALORANT tournament

MUMBAI: As India’s PC gaming scene levels up, JioBLAST and the Esports Foundation are betting big on one of esports’ fastest-growing titles. The organisers of India Rising: Road to EWC have announced a nationwide VALORANT competition, bringing together amateur players, aspiring esports professionals and rising teams from across the country. Registrations are open on JioGames until June 10, with the tournament serving as a key lead-up event to the Esports World Cup 2026.

The competition comes at a time when tactical shooter esports are gaining significant traction among Indian gamers. VALORANT, developed by Riot Games, has built a rapidly expanding player and spectator base in the country, fuelled by livestreams, creator-led content, community tournaments and growing interest in competitive PC gaming.

Hosted entirely on JioGames, the tournament will feature open online qualifiers from June 12 to June 16, followed by playoff broadcasts on June 17 and 18. The competition will culminate in the India Rising: Road to EWC Gaming Showmatches and LAN Finals in Mumbai, where the top two playoff teams will compete on stage.

The tournament will follow a knockout format using VALORANT’s Swift Play mode, offering participants an opportunity to showcase their skills on a national platform.

Industry observers say VALORANT’s popularity in India has been boosted by dedicated Mumbai servers that provide lower latency, making competitive play more accessible. The game’s free-to-play model and ability to run efficiently on mid-range PCs have also helped broaden its appeal among younger gamers.

At the same time, its blend of tactical gunplay, character abilities and team-based strategy has established it as one of the most watched esports titles globally.

Commenting on the initiative, JioBLAST chief executive officer Charlie Cowdrey said, “India’s PC esports landscape is becoming far more competitive and structured, particularly around tactical shooter titles where community engagement and spectator interest are growing rapidly.”

He added that the competition is designed to provide emerging teams with greater visibility while strengthening the country’s growing tactical shooter ecosystem.

Beyond the tournament itself, the Mumbai LAN Finals will feature creator interactions, live gaming experiences and fan-focused activities, reflecting the broader growth of India’s gaming creator economy and esports entertainment culture.

The event forms part of the larger India Rising: Road to EWC initiative, launched by JioBLAST and the Esports Foundation to build pathways for Indian gamers ahead of the Esports World Cup 2026.

With registrations now open and competitive gaming audiences continuing to expand, the tournament signals another step in India’s evolution from a mobile-first gaming market to an increasingly diverse esports ecosystem where PC titles are finding a growing audience.