Call of Duty and Counter-Strike are some of the biggest Esports games in India right now. The Esports market is growing at a rapid scale in India and is expected to reach an estimated growth of $1,088 million by 2033.
Tournament prize money has reached millions of rupees. Teams and solo players are now making good money. Big tournaments like BGIS 2025 give Rs 2 crore in prize money. Streaming platforms get millions of viewers during championships.
The government now treats esports as a real sport. This creates jobs and chances to play for India internationally.
Want to know which games rule India’s gaming scene? These games offer mobile gaming fun and PC championships with huge prize money and crazy fan following.
Are Esports Games Legal In India?
The Online Gaming Bill 2025, just passed by Parliament, banned real money gaming. But it supports esports and skill games a lot.
Esports are now games where you need only skill to win. This includes fast fingers, smart thinking, and good strategy. This makes gaming safe. It separates skill games from gambling.
Laws keep changing a lot. Here is a read on Casinos and their legality in India.
Top 10 Esports Games In India In 2025
These are the most popular games that people play seriously in India.
| No. | Esports Game | Genre | Platform | Est. Players | Major Tournaments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Call of Duty: Mobile | Battle Royale/FPS | Mobile | 50M+ | COD Mobile World Championship |
| 2 | Counter-Strike (CS:GO / CS2) | Tactical FPS | PC | 8M+ | ESL India Premiership |
| 3 | Valorant | Tactical FPS | PC | 12M+ | VCT Ascension |
| 4 | Dota 2 | MOBA | PC | 5M+ | The International |
| 5 | Free Fire | Battle Royale | Mobile | 40M+ | Free Fire World Series |
| 6 | PUBG Mobile / BGMI | Battle Royale | Mobile | 45M+ | BGIS, PMCO |
| 7 | Pokémon Unite | MOBA | Mobile/Switch | 3M+ | Pokemon Unite Championship |
| 8 | League of Legends | MOBA | PC | 6M+ | Worlds Championship |
| 9 | Fortnite | Battle Royale | PC/Mobile/Console | 15M+ | Fortnite World Cup |
| 10 | Mobile Legends: Bang Bang | MOBA | Mobile | 25M+ | M-Series World Championship |
All these games get more than 200 million hours of watch time during big tournaments. While the table covered the quick basics, here is a little about each of the top esports games in India.
1. Call of Duty Mobile
Call of Duty Mobile became number 1 after starting in India in 2019. The game has old COD maps, but it works great on phones. Pro teams fight in local matches to reach global championships. These championships have $2 million in prize money.
Famous streamers like Dynamo Gaming and Mortal play this game for millions of viewers. The game has ranked matches and a battle royale mode. Both casual and serious players love it. Monthly tournaments give cash prizes from ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakhs for winning teams.
2. Counter-Strike (CSGO / CS2)
Counter-Strike is India’s top PC gaming choice. Teams like Global Esports and Enigma Gaming play for India in other countries. The game changed from CS: GO to Counter-Strike 2 in 2023.
It now has better graphics and new features. Indian players fight in the ESL India Premiership for ₹25 lakh prize money. The game needs smart teamwork and planning. Streaming gets very popular during big tournaments.
Over 500,000 people watch Indian matches at the same time. Many pro players started playing in local cyber cafes before joining big teams.
3. Valorant
Valorant started in 2020 and became popular quickly in India. Riot Games spent a lot of money on Indian tournaments through VCT Ascension. Teams like Global Esports play in international leagues with millions in prize money.
The game has shooting plus special powers for different characters. Indian creators like TenZ and ScreaM inspire local players. Ranked games get over 12 million Indian players every month. The game has very good cheat protection.
This makes matches fair and based on skill only. Local tournaments give direct entry to international competitions.
4. Dota 2
Dota 2 has loyal fans in India, but it is hard for new players. The game has the biggest prize money in esports history. The International 2023 had over $40 million in prize money. Indian teams like Entity Gaming play globally and inspire local players.
The game is very difficult and needs hundreds of hours of practice. Monthly Indian tournaments give ₹2-3 lakh prize money. Streaming becomes popular during big tournaments. Indian commentators explain matches in Hindi.
The game is free to play, so anyone can start. Pro coaching helps Indian players get ready for international matches.
5. Free Fire
Free Fire ruled mobile gaming before it got banned in India in 2022. The game came back with changes and is still popular with young players. Matches are only 10 minutes long. This makes it perfect for quick phone gaming sessions.
Free Fire World Series tournaments give millions to winning teams. The game has simple graphics that work on cheap phones. YouTube videos about Free Fire get millions of views. Local tournaments across India find new talented players regularly.
The game works on very basic phones, so anyone can play it.
6. PUBG Mobile / BGMI
PUBG Mobile became Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) after rule changes. BGMI India Series (BGIS) 2025 gives Rs 2 crore prize money. Registration starts January 3, 2025. The game still has 45 million active players.
Pro teams like TSM-Entity and Skylightz Gaming play internationally. BGMI streaming makes millions for content creators.
The game has realistic graphics and needs smart planning. Monthly tournaments find new players from small cities, too. Indian players regularly play in global championships for the country.
7. Pokémon Unite
Pokémon Unite brings popular Pokémon characters to esports. The game has 5v5 fights with favorite Pokémon. Nintendo and TiMi Studios run regular tournaments with cash prizes. Indian players fight in local matches to reach world championships.
The game appeals to Pokémon fans and serious gamers both. Streaming gets more viewers during special events and tournament seasons.
Mobile and Nintendo Switch players can play together. Regular updates add new Pokémon and game features. This keeps the competitive scene fresh and exciting for players.
8. League of Legends
League of Legends stays strong in Indian PC gaming. Riot Games supports India through Wild Rift tournaments and PC competitions.
The game has deep strategy and needs lots of practice to get good at. Indian teams play in Southeast Asian tournaments and are getting better. Pro coaching creates jobs beyond just playing games.
The game’s esports world includes Indian commentators and event organizers. Big tournaments like the World Championship get millions of Indian viewers. The game is free to play with paid cosmetics. This helps the game grow long-term.
9. Fortnite
Fortnite mixes building with battle royale gameplay. Epic Games runs regular tournaments with multi-million dollar prizes. Indian players fight in local competitions to qualify for global events.
The creative mode allows custom tournaments and training maps. Indian streamers make good money creating Fortnite content. Regular updates and famous brand partnerships keep players interested.
The game needs both shooting skills and building skills to win. Players can compete across PC, mobile, and console from anywhere in the world.
10. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
Mobile Legends gives classic MOBA gameplay made for mobile phones. The game has 5v5 matches with over 100 different heroes. M-Series World Championships give multi-million dollar prizes to pro teams.
Indian teams play in Southeast Asian tournaments and are improving. Quick match times make it perfect for mobile esports. Streaming communities show high-level gameplay and strategies.
Regular updates and new heroes keep the game competitive and fresh. The game works on budget smartphones, so more people can play it.
How Big Is The Indian Esports Market?
India’s esports market hit $200.7 million in 2024. It grows at 18.40% every year to reach $1,088.4 million by 2033. Over two million players joined tournaments for the first time. India now has 36 professional esports teams working.
India hosted over 275 big esports tournaments in 2024. This was up from 190 in 2023. Prize money across all tournaments crossed ₹50 crore. This creates real career paths for pro players.
Can You Make Money Playing Esports In India?
Professional esports gives income through tournaments, but competition is very tough. Top players earn ₹2-5 lakhs monthly through prizes and brand deals. Success needs amazing skills built through years of practice and local tournament wins.
Most pros start by winning smaller competitions. Then they get invites to major events. Streaming gives different income options. Popular creators earn ₹1-3 lakhs monthly through donations and sponsorships.
Content creation, coaching, and team management create more job opportunities in esports for skilled people.
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Conclusion: Esports Games Are Gaining Popularity In India As A Fully Legal Gaming Environment!
India’s esports scene has reached a big moment with government support and clear laws. The Online Gaming Bill 2025 makes gaming safe by separating skill games from gambling.
Professional chances keep growing with tournament prizes crossing ₹50 crore yearly. Streaming money supports thousands of content creators. Mobile gaming rules because everyone can access it.
You can play casually or professionally. India’s esports scene has paths for every skill level and dream.
Start your gaming journey today by picking your favorite game and joining local tournaments. Indian esports community welcomes new talent.
FAQs
Mortal (Naman Mathur) leads with 8+ million YouTube subscribers, followed by Dynamo Gaming and CarryMinati in different gaming categories.
India ranks 7th globally in esports viewership and participation, with teams competing internationally across multiple game titles and tournaments.
Register on platforms like Rooter, JioGames, or game-specific websites. Start with local tournaments, build rankings, then qualify for larger competitions.
Brendan Greene created PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds concept, while Chang Byung-gyu founded PUBG Corporation to develop and publish the game globally.
Streaming generates millions of hours watched monthly, with top streamers earning ₹1-3 lakhs through donations, sponsorships, and platform partnerships.
