Mumbai, July 6, 2026: Dutch Grandmaster Benjamin Bok secured qualification for the Esports World Cup 2026 Chess competition after defeating Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi 2-1 in sets at the India Rising: Road to EWC Powered by BASF Grand Finals, held at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.
The event marked the culmination of India Rising: Road to EWC, a first-of-its-kind gaming and youth culture festival launched by JioBLAST and the Esports Foundation (EF). Bringing together competitive chess, esports, gaming creators, fan experiences and live entertainment, the event positioned Mumbai at the centre of India’s rapidly growing gaming ecosystem.
Hon. Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri. Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the festival and reiterated Maharashtra’s ambition to become India’s leading destination for gaming, esports and the broader digital creative economy.
Speaking at the event, Shri. Devendra Fadnavis, Hon. Chief Minister of Maharashtra, said, _”Gaming has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments of the global entertainment economy, and India has the talent and digital capability to play a leading role in its future. Maharashtra is committed to creating an enabling ecosystem for gaming, esports, digital content and the creator economy through progressive policies, world-class infrastructure and industry partnerships. India Rising: Road to EWC represents an important step towards creating global opportunities for Indian youth while strengthening Maharashtra’s position as a hub for the digital creative economy.”_
The festival also showcased the growing convergence of esports, gaming, creators and entertainment, featuring leading organisations including S8UL and GodLike, interactive fan experiences, cosplay, gaming zones and a live performance by acclaimed hip-hop duo Seedhe Maut.
Commenting on the successful conclusion of India’s Biggest Gaming Festival, Charlie Cowdrey, CEO, JioBLAST, said, _”India Rising: Road to EWC reflects our long-term commitment to building India’s gaming ecosystem by creating a platform where competition, creators, fans, and industry can come together. The enthusiasm we’ve witnessed throughout the festival reinforces India’s emergence as one of the world’s most exciting gaming markets. This is only the first chapter, and we look forward to expanding the platform in the years ahead while creating more pathways for Indian talent to connect with the global stage.”_
James Cunningham, Head of Strategy, Esports Foundation, said: ” _India has established itself as one of the world’s most exciting gaming markets, and India Rising: Road to EWC demonstrated both the scale of its community and the quality of its competitive talent. Together with JioBLAST, we’re proud to have created a meaningful qualification pathway that connects Indian audiences and players with the global Esports World Cup ecosystem.”_
Alongside the competitive action, India Rising: Road to EWC also recognised outstanding achievements across the Indian gaming ecosystem through the inaugural Gaming Honours, celebrating creators, players and organisations shaping the industry’s growth.
Gaming Honours 2026 Winners
Content Group of the Year: S8UL
PC Creator of the Year: GamerFleet
Male Creator of the Year: JokerKiHaveli
Regional Creator of the Year: Shreeman Legend
Female Creator of the Year: Xyaa
Esports Player of the Year: Jonathan Gaming
Outstanding Contribution to Indian Esports: Mortal & 8Bit Thug
The festival concluded in an electrifying live performance by Seedhe Maut , bringing together thousands of gaming fans for a celebration of competitive gaming , creators and youth culture.
About JioBLAST
JioBLAST is a joint venture between BLAST, and RISE Worldwide Limited (a wholly owned RIL subsidiary), combining Jio’s digital ecosystem with BLAST’s global expertise in esports entertainment and RISE’s leadership in sports and event management. JioBLAST creates premium, youth-focused competitive entertainment formats designed to help players, fans, creators and partners connect through gaming and live experiences.
About Esports Foundation
The Esports Foundation (EF) is a non-profit organization based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, dedicated to advancing and professionalizing the global esports industry. Through the annual Esports World Cup (EWC) and the biennial Esports Nations Cup (ENC), EF brings together the world’s top players, leading clubs, and millions of fans for the biggest stages in competitive gaming. Beyond hosting tournaments, the Foundation works year-round to grow the esports ecosystem, support talent development, and create lasting opportunities for players, teams, and partners worldwide.
About The Esports World Cup
The Esports World Cup (EWC) is a premier annual sporting event and global celebration of competitive excellence and esports
fandom. The competition features a unique cross-game format that pits the world’s top esports Clubs against one another for the largest prize pool in esports history. Returning to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the summer of 2026, the EWC will bring gaming and esports communities together again to crown the next Esports World Cup Club Champion. esportsworldcup.com
