District by Zomato joins India Rising gaming festival as ticketing partner

MUMBAI: Gaming fans looking to level up their July plans can now lock in their seats. District by Zomato has been named the official ticketing partner for India Rising: Road to EWC, with tickets for the upcoming Mumbai gaming festival now available exclusively through the District app.

Scheduled for 4 July at the Jio World Convention Centre, the festival is being organised by JioBLAST and the Esports Foundation as part of the build-up to the Esports World Cup 2026.

Positioned as a celebration of India’s fast-growing gaming and youth culture ecosystem, the one-day event will combine esports competition, creator interactions, live entertainment and fan experiences under one roof.

Visitors can expect gaming showmatches featuring titles such as VALORANT and MOBA Legends: 5v5!, alongside creator showcases, cosplay activities, interactive gaming zones and live music performances.

Some of India’s best-known gaming personalities are also expected to attend. Popular creators Mortal and JokerKiHaveli from S8UL, as well as ZGOD and Mizo from GodLike Esports, are set to participate, offering fans opportunities to interact with leading figures from the country’s gaming community.

Commenting on the partnership, JioBLAST chief executive officer Charlie Cowdrey said the vision for India Rising extends beyond competitive gaming.

He noted that the festival is designed to bring together esports, creators, music and community in a single experience, offering something for every type of fan, whether they are attending to support players, meet creators, watch competitions or enjoy live entertainment. He added that partnering with District by Zomato would help make the event more accessible to gaming audiences across India.

A major highlight of the festival will be the India Rising: Road to EWC Chess LAN Finals. The competition will see Indian grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi face Dutch grandmaster Benjamin Bok for a place in the chess competition at the Esports World Cup in Paris later this year.

Organisers say India Rising is being developed as a long-term platform connected to the Esports World Cup ecosystem, with the aim of creating more opportunities for Indian players, creators and fans while strengthening ties across the country’s gaming community.

With esports, creators, chess, cosplay and music all sharing the same stage, India Rising is betting that the future of gaming events is as much about community and culture as it is about competition.