Mumbai: India’s competitive gaming ecosystem marked a significant milestone with the announcement of the Indian Super Gaming League (ISGL), the country’s first franchise-based national esports competition. The league, organised by LetsGameNow (LGN), is set to stage its inaugural season later this year.
Structured around permanent team ownership and a season-led competitive format, ISGL introduces a formal league architecture to Indian esports, moving the ecosystem beyond standalone tournaments into a city-backed competition framework. The league will feature eight teams competing across five esports titles, with multi-city qualifiers planned ahead of the main season.
The nationwide qualifier circuit will identify emerging talent from across India, with city-level competitions culminating in a grand finale in Visakhapatnam (Vizag). The initiative aims to create a structured pathway for aspiring esports athletes while building long-term continuity within the competitive landscape.
The founding line-up includes participation from established sports franchises such as Mumbai City FC, FC Goa, Chennaiyin FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Inter Kashi, Puneri Paltan, Bangalore Bhargavas, and Andhra Agneyas. Their entry into esports represents a notable cross-sector expansion, extending recognised sports brands into the digital competitive arena.
The launch event was attended by ISGL Founders Santanu Basu and Gautam Badalia, Honourable Sports Minister of Andhra Pradesh Sri Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy, and actors and sports franchise stakeholders Ranbir Kapoor and Abhishek Bachchan.
Gautam Badalia, Co-Founder, LetsGameNow, said, “India has scale, talent, and passion for gaming. What it now requires is structure. ISGL is built to create continuity, professional governance, and sustainable opportunity, ensuring Indian esports develops with the same seriousness as mainstream sport.”
Santanu Basu, Co-Founder, LetsGameNow and professional eSports athlete, added, “For Indian players to compete globally, the domestic ecosystem must meet global standards. ISGL is about creating consistent platforms, exposure pathways, and a professional environment that enables talent to rise and sustain.”
India already ranks among the world’s largest gaming markets by audience size. With ISGL’s formation, esports in the country formally adopts a franchise-led league model, creating stable team identities, defined progression pathways, and season-on-season continuity — a move stakeholders believe will accelerate the professionalisation of the sector and enhance India’s competitiveness on the global stage.
