Gujarat Titans launch their BGMI tournament, GXR dominates football streaming and other stories

Gujarat Titans, has created history by stepping into the world of esports with its own tournament, “Battlegrounds Mobile India-Titans Rising with an impressive prize pool of ₹22 lakh prize pool. The tournament represents Gujarat Titans’ innovative move to blend traditional sports with the fast-growing world of competitive gaming.

Let’s look at the main highlights of the tournament:

• Tournament Structure: “Titans Rising” is set to be a multi-phase competition that kicks off with five offline open qualifiers from October 10th to 15th. A massive 2,048 teams, comprising over 10,000 gamers, have registered to participate, with the top 32 advancing to compete with 32 invited pro teams in Phase 2.
• Progression & Competitive Format: The qualifiers will lead to a highly competitive pool of 48 teams in the pre-quarterfinals, culminating in a final showdown between the top 16 teams in the Grand Finale. Top professional teams like Revenant E-sports, Team IQOO SouL, and Team Orangutan will face off with rising stars, guaranteeing intense matches.
• Star Players & Streaming: Well-known BGMI stars such as Sc0utOp, Omega, and Goblin will compete, adding star power to the event. From the pre-quarterfinals onwards, all matches will be streamed live on the Gujarat Titans YouTube channel, offering fans in-depth coverage and expert analysis.
• E-sports Growth: With the global rise of e-sports, recognized now in major events like the Olympics and Asian Games, the initiative further legitimizes the sport. Gujarat Titans aims to engage its fans through e-sports while providing aspiring players with a platform to compete at the highest level.

In my opinion 

The “Battlegrounds Mobile India-Titans Rising” tournament is not just a major step for Gujarat Titans but a significant moment for e-sports in India. It showcases the potential for traditional sports organizations to tap into the growing e-sports market, broadening their fanbase and creating new opportunities for competition. With top-tier talent, a thrilling competitive format, and extensive media coverage, the tournament promises to be a landmark event for both players and fans alike.

Galaxy Racer (GXR), a leading transmedia company based in Dubai, has made a significant move by acquiring media rights for top European football leagues—LALIGA, Serie A, and Ligue 1—in the Indian subcontinent. This partnership is set to elevate the football viewing experience for fans in the region, bringing live, free-to-air broadcasts through the GXR app.

The main highlights of the deal are: 

• Exclusive Media Rights: GXR has secured the rights to broadcast LALIGA for six years and Serie A and Ligue 1 for four years. The deal also includes access to Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana, and Ligue 2 matches, positioning GXR as a premier football streaming platform in the Indian subcontinent.
• Fan-Centric Super App: The GXR app will provide more than just live matches, offering fans a variety of interactive features. These include fan engagement tools, real-time news, chat options, and real-money games, creating a dynamic football ecosystem tailored specifically for Indian football enthusiasts.
• Localized Content: To maximize engagement, matches will be broadcast in regional languages such as Bengali, Malayalam, and Hindi. This strategic localization aims to deepen fan connections and loyalty by catering to football fans across India’s diverse regions.

In My Opion:

The acquisition of key football media rights and the launch of its Super App, Galaxy Racer is poised to revolutionize football consumption in the Indian subcontinent. By offering live streaming, interactive fan experiences, and regional content, GXR is set to become a major player in India’s growing football market, while driving fan engagement and loyalty to new heights.

Indian gaming platform Loco has sold a majority stake to UAE-based investment firm Redwood for $65 million. This acquisition marks a strategic move for Loco, allowing it to explore international markets and strengthen partnerships with global gaming entities.

Main Highlights:

• Majority Stake Sale: Loco’s majority stake was sold to Redwood for $65 million, offering an exit opportunity for the platform’s existing investors. This comes after Loco’s valuation, which stood at $150 million in 2022, declined due to revenue challenges faced by Indian gaming companies.
• Expansion Plans: With the backing of Redwood, Loco plans to expand its reach into international markets and forge new collaborations with gaming companies, streamers, and esports teams. This expansion is expected to enhance Loco’s position in the global gaming ecosystem.
• Industry Impact: Loco is a major player in India’s live game streaming and esports industry, having worked with top publishers such as Krafton, Activision, Ubisoft, and Riot Games. It has hosted significant esports tournaments and serves as a hub for top esports teams.

In My Opinion:

The sale of Loco’s majority stake to Redwood signifies a new chapter for the Indian gaming platform, enabling it to leverage international opportunities and expand its influence in the global gaming arena. The investment not only strengthens Loco’s future prospects but also reaffirms its key role in India’s esports and gaming sector.

Influencer marketing in India is on a trajectory of rapid expansion, with the industry expected to reach Rs 5,500 crore by 2024. This surge is driven by the increasing importance of social media creators in brand strategies, as highlighted by the Influencer Marketing Report 2024 from Influencer.in. Brands across various sectors are shifting their marketing efforts towards influencer partnerships, signaling a long-term transformation in advertising approaches.

Main Highlights:

• Industry Growth: India’s influencer marketing sector is projected to grow at an impressive rate of 20% in 2023, with further annual growth of 25% expected from 2024 to 2026. By 2024, the industry will represent 11% of India’s digital media landscape, solidifying its role in the country’s digital marketing ecosystem.
• Budget Shifts: By 2028, over 80% of brands are expected to allocate up to 30% of their marketing budgets to influencer campaigns, with industries like FMCG, e-commerce, and automobiles leading the way. These sectors are forecasted to increase influencer marketing budgets by 10% by 2026.
• Platform Influence: Instagram remains the top platform for influencer collaborations, while YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels are vital for reaching broad audiences with short-form content. Additionally, LinkedIn is emerging as a key space for professional and B2B partnerships, expanding the scope of influencer marketing beyond traditional consumer brands.
• Key Trends: “Small town superstars” are gaining popularity as influencers who connect with local audiences through relatable content. This trend reflects the growing diversity of India’s influencer landscape, as brands look to engage with audiences across the country’s various regions and cultures.

In My Opinion:

India’s influencer marketing industry is on track for exponential growth, fueled by the increasing reliance on social media for consumer recommendations and the growing importance of digital creators in brand strategies. With strong projected growth across sectors and platforms, influencer marketing is poised to become a central pillar of India’s digital advertising landscape in the coming years.