Chennai: In a landmark move for the Indian gaming industry, Chennai is set to host the nation’s most ambitious esports event, the Chennai Esports Global Championship (CEGC), this November. The tournament, a joint initiative by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) and gaming giant Skyesports, will feature international-grade competitions in Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) and Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), positioning Tamil Nadu as the new epicentre of competitive gaming in India.
The event is backed by a significant investment and a clear strategic vision from the state government. The Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin, had earlier announced an allocation of Rs. 4.54 crore for the championship, underscoring the government’s commitment to building digital sport infrastructure and nurturing home-grown talent. This initiative aims to provide a platform for Indian gamers to hone their skills and eventually represent the country at global events like the Asian Games and the upcoming Esports Olympics.
Chennai Esports Global Championship Announced with CS2 and BGMI Tournaments
Dr. Atulya Misra, I.A.S., Additional Chief Secretary to the Government, remarked, “Thanks to the vision of our Hon’ble Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu has become the epicentre of India’s e-sports revolution. What started as a demo segment last year has now evolved into full-scale tournaments and international championships. Tamil Nadu is not just leading the country — we’re aiming for the global stage.”
The championship will unfold over two thrilling weekends at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium. The international CS2 event will kick off first, running from November 7 to 9 with a substantial prize pool of $50,000. It will be immediately followed by the BGMI tournament from November 14 to 16, which boasts an impressive prize pool of ₹50 lakh. The scale of the event is unprecedented, with expectations to welcome over 20,000 live attendees across the six days and attract approximately 50 million viewers worldwide through YouTube and other broadcast platforms. With more than 100,000 gamers participating in the lead-ups and an anticipated half-a-million strong global audience, the CEGC is poised to firmly put Chennai on the global esports map.
Thiru J. Meghanatha Reddy, IAS, Member Secretary of SDAT, highlighted the paradigm shift in recognizing esports at par with traditional sports. He stated, “Tamil Nadu is proud to be the first state to organise e-sports at such a large scale, with prize pools on par with traditional sports. An individual medal winner in e-sports will receive ₹1 lakh — the same as their counterparts in other disciplines. We recognise the immense potential e-sports holds and we are committed to tapping into that opportunity.”