NODWIN Gaming posts Rs 106 crore Q1 revenue, sharpens path to profitability

New Delhi: NODWIN Gaming is proving that playing the long game can pay off. The youth entertainment company reported consolidated revenue of Rs 106.04 crore for the first quarter of FY26, while improving operational efficiency as it continued investing in content, intellectual properties and international expansion.

Although the April-June quarter is traditionally the company’s slowest because of the seasonal nature of its business, NODWIN said it continued to deliver stable revenue growth while tightening operational discipline. The company reported an EBITDA loss of Rs 11 crore in Q1 FY26 and expects this to improve to Rs 7.53 crore in the corresponding quarter of FY27, representing a 32 per cent improvement.

The company said its business model is driven by a cycle linking digital content and live experiences. Online content introduces audiences to games, creators and communities, while events such as BGMS, NH7 Weekender and Comic Con India deepen engagement, creating additional revenue streams through sponsorships, ticketing, merchandise and media rights.

During the quarter, NODWIN expanded beyond gaming by launching initiatives in trading cards, board games, premium pop culture merchandise and the National Math Bee in partnership with Bhanzu. It also announced that its creator-led gaming entertainment property Playground will debut in the United States alongside its India edition later this year.

The company further strengthened its content pipeline by extending its partnership with Rusk Media for the 2026-27 editions of their projects. It also expanded its collaboration with Garena to support the growth of Free Fire MAX in India through competitive gaming, creator engagement and live events.

Outside gaming, NODWIN continued to grow its partner support services business by delivering projects for the Saudi Football Federation and the Belgian Football Association, signalling a broader push into sports and entertainment production.

On the strategic front, the company said it deliberately paused acquisitions after ceasing funding to Freaks4U in order to refine its mergers and acquisitions framework and strengthen integration processes. It now expects around 30 per cent organic growth during the current financial year and plans to restart acquisitions using an updated strategy.

Several operational changes are also expected to support profitability over the coming quarters. A major global PUBG Mobile property that was held in the first quarter of FY26 has shifted to the second quarter of FY27 because of scheduling changes. Meanwhile, NH7 has transitioned to a licensing model in India, while Comic Con India has moved away from minimum guarantee agreements, allowing ticket sales and operating costs to align more closely with event performance.

NODWIN also expanded its global esports footprint after being appointed India’s National Team Partner for the inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026. Team India has already qualified in seven game titles for the Riyadh Finals.

Internally, the company has deployed more than 10 AI-powered workflow tools across finance, human resources, legal, sales and production. These systems are expected to deliver software replacement-led cost savings of around Rs 12 crore over the next three years.

NODWIN also widened its employee stock ownership programme to include all employees, helping keep attrition below 5 per cent. Founder retention across acquired businesses remains at 100 per cent, with all founders continuing to lead their businesses while contributing to new global initiatives.

With new content formats, expanding international partnerships and a sharper focus on operational efficiency, NODWIN is positioning itself as a broader youth entertainment company rather than solely an esports business, while preparing for its next phase of growth.