Indian Super Gaming League launches India's first franchise-based esports competition
Indian esports has had plenty of one-off tournaments, but never a proper franchise league. The Indian Super Gaming League is changing that. Announced at a curtain-raiser event in Mumbai on March 1, ISGL will run its inaugural season from March to June 2026 with eight permanent teams.
The eight franchises
The team list reads more like an ISL or PKL roster than an esports org sheet. Mumbai City FC, FC Goa, Chennaiyin FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Inter Kashi FC, Puneri Paltan, Bangalore Bhargavas and Andhra Agneyas make up the eight founding franchises. Several of these are established brands from the Indian Super League and Pro Kabaddi League, now expanding into competitive gaming.
Five games, one league
ISGL will run competitions across Chess, Cricket 26, Call of Duty Mobile, FAU-G and FC 26. The mix reflects India's mobile-heavy gaming market while also including PC titles. It is a deliberate attempt to cast a wide net, covering both casual mobile audiences and competitive PC players.
How the season works
A nationwide qualifier circuit will identify emerging talent through city-level competitions before the main league begins. Matches will take place in Mumbai, Chennai, Goa and Lucknow, with the grand finale set for Visakhapatnam. Broadcasts will stream across OTT platforms and YouTube.
Bollywood backing and big names
The Mumbai curtain-raiser attracted Ranbir Kapoor and Abhishek Bachchan, both of whom have stakes in sports franchises. Their presence signals that ISGL's organizer, LetsGameNow, founded by Santanu Basu and Gautam Badalia, is targeting mainstream crossover appeal rather than just the existing esports audience.
Can the franchise model work for esports?
India's cricket and kabaddi leagues proved that franchise structures with city identities can build loyal fanbases. Whether the same formula translates to esports is an open question. Player salaries, broadcast deals and consistent audience turnout will determine if ISGL survives beyond its debut season. For now, the fact that established sports brands are investing gives the league a foundation that previous Indian esports ventures lacked.
