Reliance to Enter Indian E-Sports Market Through Joint Venture with BLAST

Reliance Industries, led by India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani, is all set to step into the world of video games through its wholly-owned subsidiary Rise Worldwide. The company will form a joint venture for the Indian e-sports market in collaboration with BLAST, one of the world’s largest competitive gaming organizers.

According to Reliance, this strategic partnership aims to develop leading intellectual property (IP) in India’s growing gaming ecosystem. BLAST's global gaming IPs will be introduced in India for players, fans, and sponsors, creating new opportunities for professional gaming events.

Who is BLAST?

BLAST is a Denmark-based subsidiary of APS and is renowned globally for organizing top-tier e-sports tournaments. Commenting on the new venture, Robbie Doek, CEO of BLAST, said, “Partnering with Reliance—an organization with deep expertise and nationwide reach—gives us a unique opportunity to elevate the Indian e-sports scene.”

India: A Global Powerhouse in Gaming

India is emerging as the fastest-growing gaming market globally. With a base of 600 million gamers, the country accounts for 18% of the world's total gamers. The industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19%, reaching $9.2 billion by 2029 from $3.8 billion in 2024.

The Indian government has also formally recognized e-sports, including it under the Multi-Sports Event category, paving the way for structured growth in the sector.

Jio's Role in Gaming Expansion

Devang Bhimjyani, Head of Reliance Sports, stated that the company’s venture into e-sports will build on its strong sports marketing foundation. While Rise Worldwide will handle promotion and branding of game events and teams, Jio will offer its technology and distribution support, making the ecosystem highly scalable.