The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
MUMBAI, APRIL 2, 2025
RISE Worldwide Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited, has joined hands with BLAST Esports Limited, a subsidiary of BLAST ApS, to establish a joint venture for esports operations in India.
With over 600 million gamers — 18 per cent of the global total — India is the fastest-growing gaming market. The sector is projected to grow at a CAGR of 19 per cent, reaching $9.2 billion by 2029, up from $3.8 billion in 2024. The Indian government has formally recognized esports as part of its “multi-sports event” category, further fueling the industry’s expansion.
The Reliance-BLAST partnership aims to accelerate this growth by bringing BLAST’s globally renowned esports events and production expertise to India while developing new tournament IPs customized for the local market. The joint venture will provide services to publishers and sponsors, manage tournaments end to end, execute targeted marketing campaigns, and deliver high-quality production and broadcasting.
BLAST, a leading European esports company, is known for organizing premier gaming tournaments in collaboration with major publishers such as Epic Games, Valve, Riot Games, KRAFTON, and Ubisoft. It hosts competitions for titles like Rocket League, Fortnite, Rainbow Six, PUBG, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike 2, attracting a combined monthly player base of over 350 million. BLAST events are renowned for their high-quality production and fan-centric experiences, uniting top-tier teams and gaming superstars in high-stakes tournaments with multi-million-dollar prize pools. In 2025, BLAST events are expected to generate 2 billion views, reaching audiences in 150+ territories and being broadcast in over 30 languages.
The new joint venture will combine BLAST’s media production capabilities, publisher partnerships, and esports IPs with Reliance’s technological expertise, distribution network, and local market influence. Events will be hosted on the JioGames platform, fostering innovation and sustainable growth in India’s esports sector. The partnership will not only help elevate the esports landscape but also open doors for Indian talent to compete on the global stage.
Robbie Douek, CEO of BLAST, highlighted India’s vast potential, stating, “India is one of the most exciting and fastest-growing gaming markets in the world. Partnering with Reliance, a market leader with unmatched reach, gives us a unique opportunity to elevate Indian esports to new heights. This JV will not only expand the ecosystem but also create global opportunities for local talent.”
Devang Bhimjyani, Head of Reliance Sports, echoed this enthusiasm, saying, “We are thrilled to partner with BLAST, a global leader in esports tournaments. With this venture, India’s esports industry can achieve its full potential. Reliance’s expansion into esports will leverage RISE’s expertise in sports marketing and Jio’s distribution and technology strengths.”
