Gaming
Maharashtra partners with JioBLAST to boost gaming, esports and digital innovation
MoU launches with India Rising event as state targets growth in gaming and digital economy
MUMBAI: Maharashtra is ready to press play on a bigger gaming future. The Government of Maharashtra has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with JioBLAST to strengthen the state’s gaming, esports and digital innovation ecosystem through long-term collaboration across industry, education and youth engagement.
The non-binding agreement creates a framework for cooperation in areas including gaming and esports development, digital innovation, startup support, skill development, academic partnerships, industry events and investment promotion.
The first initiative under the partnership will be India Rising: Road to EWC, a Mumbai-based event designed to connect Indian gamers, creators and esports communities with the global ecosystem surrounding the Esports World Cup 2026.
Speaking on the partnership, Government of Maharashtra principal secretary, industries, P. Anbalagan said gaming, esports and digital entertainment are emerging as important drivers of innovation, entrepreneurship and youth engagement.
He said the collaboration with JioBLAST aims to create an enabling environment for the sector by encouraging industry participation, skill development and ecosystem-building initiatives, adding that India Rising marks the beginning of Maharashtra’s efforts to establish itself as a leading destination for gaming, esports and digital innovation.
Sharing the company’s perspective, JioBLAST chief executive officer Charlie Cowdrey said India is home to one of the world’s largest gaming communities and Maharashtra possesses the talent, infrastructure and entrepreneurial ecosystem needed to lead the industry’s next phase of growth.
He added that the partnership reflects a shared vision to create long-term opportunities across gaming, esports, technology and youth development, with India Rising serving as the first milestone. Cowdrey also said the initiative would establish Mumbai as the first physical home of the Esports World Cup in India.
Scheduled to culminate in Mumbai on July 4, India Rising: Road to EWC will feature the Chess LAN Final, where Indian grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi will face Dutch grandmaster Benjamin Bok for a place in the final stage of the Esports World Cup 2026 chess competition.
Beyond chess, the event will host competitions in VALORANT and MOBA Legends: 5v5!, alongside creator showcases, community activities and live entertainment, highlighting gaming’s growing role in youth culture and digital engagement.
Although the MoU does not commit either side to specific investments, it provides a roadmap for future collaborations, with any individual projects or funding proposals requiring separate approvals.
As India’s gaming industry continues to expand, the Maharashtra government’s partnership with JioBLAST signals a broader push to position the state as a hub for esports, digital innovation and the next generation of technology-led entrepreneurship.
