The Global Esports Games World Finals are officially underway in Mumbai, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurating the three-day tournament at MMRDA Grounds on March 20, 2026. Coinciding with Gudi Padwa, the event brings together 48 athletes representing 19 countries for competition across two titles.
Organised by Eflag Corp and the Global Esports Federation with support from Maharashtra Tourism, the World Finals are the first international esports World Finals to be held in India, a milestone that carries significance well beyond the competitive stage.
Mumbai hosts its first international Global Esports Games World Finals
The Global Esports Games World Finals ceremony began with a parade of athletes and introductions of the national teams. Afterwards, Chief Minister Fadnavis officially opened the event. In his speech, he linked the tournament to Maharashtra’s larger economic goals.
“We are happy to host the Global Esports Games World Finals in Mumbai, bringing global talent together on a single platform. This milestone reflects India’s rapid growth in the AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) sector and our focused efforts to build a robust orange economy driven by creativity, technology, and innovation. Maharashtra is committed to nurturing this ecosystem and positioning India as a global hub for digital talent, entrepreneurship, and youth-led growth” — Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra
By mentioning the orange economy, which covers India’s creative and cultural industries, he showed that esports is now seen as a real economic force, not just entertainment.
Team India: Six athletes across Dota 2 and Clash Royale
India has six athletes competing in both titles. The Dota 2 team includes Krish Gupta, Manav Kunte, Vishal Vernekar, Amit Malwal, and Subhadeep Das. Anuhith Gosala will represent India in Clash Royale. Over the three days, they will face teams from 18 other countries.
Influencers, industry, and India’s growing Esports economy
The opening ceremony also drew several of India’s most prominent gaming personalities, including ShreeMan LegenD, Payal Gaming, Naman Mathur (MortaL), and Kashhvi Hiranandani, whose attendance signals how far India’s gaming and creator community has grown alongside competitive esports.
This event comes at an important time for India’s digital economy. According to a 2026 EY-Parthenon study, India’s orange economy is now worth about USD 45 to 50 billion, and it could reach USD 55 to 60 billion by 2027.
The Global Esports Games World Finals, which run until March 22, 2026, are a key part of this growth as India hosts an international esports event for the first time.
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Edited by Rishi Pallav
