Overview
India’s esports programme continues its ascent as the nation prepares to send a 15‑member contingent to the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled to be held at the Aichi Sky Expo in Aichi‑Nagoya from 23 September to 2 October. The Games will feature eleven esports events, and India will compete in four of them: League of Legends, Pokémon UNITE, eFootball and Puyo Puyo Champions. This lineup provides two team events (League of Legends and eFootball) and two individual competitions (Pokémon UNITE and Puyo Puyo Champions), offering multiple medal opportunities.
Market Context
India is the world’s second‑largest mobile gaming market, with mobile titles accounting for more than ninety percent of esports engagement. This mobile‑first audience underpins the rapid expansion of the country’s esports ecosystem and supports the development of competitive teams capable of challenging the region’s leading nations.
Team Leadership
Akshaj Shenoy will captain the League of Legends squad, while Adnan Mohammed Badshah will lead the Pokémon UNITE team. Both captains are tasked with building on India’s recent performance, notably a fifth‑place finish in League of Legends at the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games.
Fan Engagement Platform
Global gaming platform Parimatch will host an interactive portal allowing fans to monitor the esports schedule, view live match results, and support their favourite players throughout the competition.
Disclaimer
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