NODWIN Gaming and Esports World Cup Foundation: Pioneering South Asia’s Biggest Esports Broadcast Push Yet

South Asia’s gaming community is experiencing an era of unprecedented momentum. What started as scattered local tournaments has grown into a vibrant ecosystem of gamers, streamers, event organizers, and a rapidly expanding fan base hungry for top-tier competitions.

Now, this fast-growing scene is set for a major leap forward. India’s leading esports and gaming company — NODWIN Gaming — has announced a landmark partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation, a global entity committed to taking competitive gaming to the next level.

As part of this deal, NODWIN Gaming will exclusively handle the sales of media rights for the Esports World Cup across South Asia. The move cements NODWIN’s position as the region’s leading esports management powerhouse and promises to unlock fresh opportunities for players, fans, broadcasters, and brands.

Let’s break down what this means for South Asia’s esports ecosystem and how it could shape the region’s role on the global stage.

Meet NODWIN Gaming: The Region’s Esports Trailblazer

If you’ve followed South Asian esports, you’ve heard of NODWIN Gaming. Launched in 2015, this homegrown company has transformed the landscape of professional gaming in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and surrounding markets.

Over the years, NODWIN has partnered with global publishers like Valve, Riot Games, Krafton, and ESL to bring flagship tournaments like ESL India Premiership and PUBG Mobile India Series to local audiences.

It has organized major LAN events, managed influencer and streamer partnerships, and built a reputation for top-notch production value — from local qualifiers to international stage events.

Esports World Cup Foundation: Raising the Bar

The Esports World Cup Foundation was launched to create a truly global, multi-game championship series that brings together the world’s top competitive titles, the best teams, and millions of fans.

The goal? To turn the Esports World Cup into the Olympics of gaming — a prestigious annual event that celebrates skill, competition, and fandom across borders.

By partnering with regional specialists like NODWIN Gaming, the Foundation is ensuring that different parts of the world have a strong local partner who understands how to reach gamers where they are.

The Big Deal: Media Rights for South Asia

Under this new partnership, NODWIN Gaming will exclusively manage, package, and sell media rights for the Esports World Cup across South Asia. That means they’ll handle everything from negotiating TV broadcast deals to streaming rights for digital platforms and social media channels.

In simple terms: if you watch the Esports World Cup in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, or Maldives, there’s a good chance it’ll be through deals brokered by NODWIN.

Why Media Rights Are a Big Deal in Esports

If traditional sports have shown us anything, it’s that broadcast rights are where the real money — and influence — lives.

In football, cricket, or the Olympics, media rights deals are what fund massive prize pools, athlete salaries, and world-class production. The same trend is now playing out in esports.

Big global tournaments like The International for Dota 2, League of Legends Worlds, and CS:GO Majors all generate huge viewership numbers — and sponsors pay top dollar for the audiences these events attract.

By managing media rights for the Esports World Cup, NODWIN now controls one of the most valuable pieces of South Asia’s esports business puzzle.

How South Asia Will Benefit

So, what does this mean for players and fans across the region?

More Access for Local Fans
Fans will get more ways to watch their favorite global esports stars compete — whether on traditional TV, OTT apps, or mobile-first streaming platforms. Local languages and region-specific commentary could make matches more accessible and enjoyable.

Better Local Stories
A strong broadcast plan means space for local segments — profiles of South Asian players, behind-the-scenes content, and community-driven shows that celebrate regional talent.

Bigger Sponsorship Pools
Brands already invest in esports, but clearer, bigger broadcast windows make sponsorships more attractive. More brands mean more prize money, better team funding, and more professional opportunities for players and casters.

Growth of Regional Infrastructure
A big event like the Esports World Cup inspires grassroots participation. With strong broadcast support, young players in small towns can watch, learn, and dream of qualifying for the big stage.

NODWIN’s Strategic Advantage

NODWIN isn’t new to this. The company has decades of combined experience selling and producing broadcast content for esports. It knows how to localize tournaments for South Asian audiences — including Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Urdu, and other languages.

The company also has deep ties with telecom providers, digital streaming giants, and even traditional broadcasters who increasingly see esports as the next big youth draw.

A Big Moment for South Asia

South Asia is one of the world’s biggest untapped esports audiences. India alone has over 500 million mobile gamers. Yet, despite massive player numbers, the region has historically struggled for a consistent presence in global competitions.

One reason? Limited visibility and underfunded infrastructure. Big local tournaments exist, but consistent, high-quality coverage that brings in advertisers and builds a mainstream audience has lagged behind.

This deal could help shift that. With better broadcast money flowing in, teams can secure better sponsors, players can compete full-time, and fans get to see their region represented on a global level.

Statements from the Stakeholders

At the announcement, Akshat Rathee, Managing Director and Co-Founder of NODWIN Gaming, said:
"South Asia is a force in global gaming. But for too long, our stories haven’t reached the world at scale. With this partnership, we’re not just selling rights — we’re creating more ways for fans, players, and brands to be part of esports history."

A spokesperson for the Esports World Cup Foundation added:
"Our mission is to make the World Cup truly global. NODWIN’s deep understanding of South Asia’s gaming culture makes them the perfect partner to grow our audience in this high-potential region."

The Broader Trend: Gaming Goes Mainstream

This deal is also part of a bigger trend — the mainstreaming of esports in South Asia. Ten years ago, competitive gaming here was a hobby for a niche community. Today, it’s a legitimate career path, with prize money, brand sponsorships, and professional training facilities.

Mobile gaming has turbocharged this growth. Free Fire, BGMI, Valorant, and CS:GO all have massive South Asian followings. Players are forming orgs, streaming their journeys, and building personal brands.

What’s Next

Insiders say NODWIN is already in talks with major TV networks, regional OTT platforms, and big tech players to bring the Esports World Cup to millions of screens.

Expect local-language coverage, influencer-led watch parties, and creator collaborations that turn every match into a community event.

The goal? Make sure that watching the Esports World Cup in India or Bangladesh feels just as big as watching an IPL match or a World Cup cricket final.

Challenges Ahead

Of course, there will be hurdles. Data costs, patchy internet in rural areas, and educating traditional media buyers about esports ROI are all real challenges.

But with India’s digital penetration growing fast, 5G rollouts accelerating, and a young, always-online audience hungry for content, the upside is huge.

Why This Matters to Brands

For brands, this deal opens the door to reaching millions of Gen Z consumers — many of whom spend more time watching esports than traditional sports.

A big, well-distributed tournament means more inventory for ads, sponsored segments, branded content, and even product placements.

From energy drinks to smartphones and payment apps, brands that want youth mindshare see esports as fertile ground — and now they have a premium event to back.

Closing Thoughts

When NODWIN Gaming announced this partnership, it sent a clear message: South Asia is no longer a sleeping giant in esports — it’s awake, growing, and ready to lead.