eSports
iQOOSouL reigns supreme at Android BGMS Season 3 final; bags major share of INR 1 crore prize pool
After three days of intense competition, the finale of Android Battlegrounds Mobile India Masters Series (BGMS) Season 3, India’s premier esports event culminated with iQOOSouL being crowned champions and solidifying their place at the pinnacle of the nation’s esports landscape.
Organised by NODWIN Gaming, a global new-age youth gaming, esports, and entertainment company, Android BGMS Season 3 brought together the nation’s top esports teams showcasing the best of BGMI talent in action. The finals, featuring 16 teams, took place at the Android Arena in Chhatarpur, New Delhi, from August 9 to 11.
iQOOSouL, one of the most distinguished teams in Indian esports, delivered a stellar performance across all of the 12 matches. Under the leadership of in-game leader (IGL) Mohammad Raja (Manya), and comprising Khush Singh (Jokerr), Manpreet Singh (Rony), Nakul Sharma (NakuL), and Saumay Anand (Saumay), the team began the finals with a solid start on Day 1, amassing 34 points to secure fifth place in the table. On Day 2, they added 49 points to move into second place.
In a dramatic finish to the tournament, iQOOSouL narrowly edged out Entity by just two points on the final day to capture the coveted trophy. The team recorded three Winner Winner Chicken Dinners (WWCD) and 40 points, which brought their total to 123 points, while Entity finished as runners-up with 121 points. Team Tamilas secured third place with 113 points.
Sharing his excitement after winning the tournament, Mohammad Raja aka Manya, IGL of iQOOSouL expressed, “Winning the Android BGMS Season 3 title is beyond words. I’m incredibly proud of my team for their unwavering dedication, countless hours of practice, and the strategic planning that brought us to this level. It’s the team’s love for the sport and sheer hard work that propelled us to the top spot. This victory is even more special because it’s shared with our fans. Given the intense competition we faced, this win is truly special. Team iQOOSouL is back, stronger than ever and we promise – this is just the beginning.”
With an overall prize pool of INR 1 crore, iQOOSouL walked away with a well-deserved INR 55 lakhs, while Entity secured INR 15 lakhs, and Team Tamilas earned INR 7.5 lakhs. Ankit Shukla (AKOP) of Team Orangutan was honoured with the TVS Raider Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament award as well as the Most Wicked Player award for his outstanding individual performances and claimed INR 1 lakh in prize money. Moreover, Harshit Yadav (Beast) of Global Esports was awarded the Audience Favorite Raider award for his remarkable displays.
“Congratulations to iQOOSouL for their exceptional display on the final day that earned them the prestigious trophy, and to Orangutan’s AKOP for his consistent performance and winning the TVS Raider MVP and the Most Wicked Player award. Android BGMS Season 3 has been a spectacle for viewers and a testament to the incredible growth and potential of esports in India. This year, we have witnessed some of the best talent the country has to offer, and the passion and energy brought by the players and fans alike have been nothing short of extraordinary. Our partners have also played a crucial role in elevating the tournament to new heights,” said Gautam Virk, Co-founder and CEO of NODWIN Gaming.
Spanning over 22 action-packed days, Android BGMS Season 3 once again proved to be a monumental event in the Indian esports landscape. The tournament, broadcasted on Star Sports for the third consecutive year, has been instrumental in bringing esports to the mainstream and making it accessible to millions of fans across the country.
Furthermore, with the introduction of features like Powerplay, Impact Player, and Bounty, the tournament has led the way in redefining competitive esports in India. To elevate the excitement further, NODWIN Gaming also hosted an experiential carnival on Day 3 of the finals which featured various engaging brand experience zones from Garnier Men, Android, and Red Bull, a live performance from hip-hop artist Chaar Diwaari as well as a view party of the finals.
The final day of the tournament saw a peak concurrent viewership of over 350,000 on YouTube and more than 3.8 million views across the Hindi and English streams. Additionally, the overall tournament accumulated over 4.75 million hours of watch time and an average viewership surpassing 1.8 million.
“This year’s BGMS was particularly special and innovative which offered a fresh and exciting experience for both players and fans alike. To bring the community together, we organised the Android BGMS Carnival, which became one of the highlights of the season. Through the tournament’s continued presence on Star Sports and its growing viewership, we are proud to see our IP establish new standards for both esports and youth entertainment in India,” further added Gautam Virk.
This year, NODWIN Gaming joined hands with renowned brands like Android and Garnier Men, marking their entry into the Indian esports scene. Additionally, Crunchyroll and Redbull came on board as partners, while TVS Raider and Phillips Oneblade extended their ongoing support, all contributing to the tournament’s success and enhancing the experience for fans.
The post iQOOSouL reigns supreme at Android BGMS Season 3 final; bags major share of INR 1 crore prize pool appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
TEAM VITALITY RETURNS TO FORTNITE WITH WORLD CHAMPION PLAYERS
Team Vitality has officially returned to competitive Fortnite after a three-season absence, unveiling a high-profile roster built around world championship pedigree and international ambitions.
The organisation’s comeback is anchored by two champions from the Fortnite Championship Series, alongside an experienced figure from the French competitive scene who will guide the team’s performance and community engagement.
Championship pedigree joins the roster
Egor “SwizzY” Luciko, a 2025 FNCS World Champion, joins as one of the scene’s most promising young competitors, recognised for his fast-paced mechanical play and strong performances on major stages. He is joined by fellow 2025 FNCS World Champion Aleksa “Queasy” Cvetkovic, widely regarded for his consistency and strategic approach at the highest level of competition.
Former French professional player Clément “Skite” Danglot completes the lineup as Team Manager and Coach. In addition to overseeing competitive operations, Skite will co-stream official matches, offering fans expert analysis throughout the season.
Team Vitality President Fabien “Neo” Devide described the return as a performance-driven project aligned with the organisation’s long-term vision of excellence, combining elite talent with experienced leadership to compete at the highest level.
Strategic focus on global competition
The organisation’s return is closely tied to its ambitions on the international stage, particularly qualification for the Esports World Cup in Riyadh and continued success across FNCS competitions. The announcement follows the introduction of Fortnite Reload mode at the Esports World Cup, which has further strengthened the club’s commitment to the title.
Beyond competition, Team Vitality aims to position its Fortnite revival as a community-focused initiative. Skite’s live broadcasts and analysis are intended to provide fans with deeper insight into the team’s progress from qualification stages through major international events.
Global Operations Director Danny Engels emphasized that the organisation’s return signals broader strategic growth across multiple esports titles, with a clear objective of securing international trophies and reinforcing Team Vitality’s presence at the top tier of global competition.
With a championship-calibre roster and renewed competitive focus, Team Vitality enters a new phase in Fortnite with ambitions to re-establish itself among the world’s elite teams.
The post TEAM VITALITY RETURNS TO FORTNITE WITH WORLD CHAMPION PLAYERS appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
eSports
Reckoning Esports and GodLike Esports to Represent India at the Pokémon UNITE Asia Champions League 2026 in Japan
Indian Pokémon UNITE esports is set for a return to international competition as Reckoning Esports and GodLike Esports secure qualification for the Pokémon UNITE Asia Champions League 2026 in Japan.
Both teams advanced through India’s official Pokémon UNITE competitive circuit, organised by Skyesports in partnership with The Pokémon Company.
Reckoning Esports claimed India’s primary slot by winning the Pokémon UNITE Asia Champions League 2026 – India League, a $20,000 multi-stage online competition featuring ten of the country’s leading esports organisations. The tournament adopted a circuit-based group stage across five matchdays before concluding with King of the Hill Playoffs.
In a tightly contested grand final, Reckoning Esports defeated GodLike Esports 3–2 to secure the championship and confirm their place at the PUACL Finals.
Reckoning Esports player Jeet “Swifty” Kundra said the victory reflected the team’s resilience throughout the season, adding that representing India on the international stage is both an honour and a significant challenge.
GodLike Esports secured India’s second qualification slot through the Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament 2026 – India, an additional pathway featuring open qualifiers that welcomed both established organisations and emerging teams.
After their narrow India League defeat, GodLike Esports delivered a dominant performance in the single-elimination bracket, drawing on experience to capture the title. Their run included a decisive 3–0 victory over underdog finalist Orange Flag, one of the tournament’s breakout performers.
GodLike Esports player Om “Scepter” Gore said the team used its earlier loss as motivation, emphasizing confidence and consistency as key factors behind their qualification. Founder and CEO Chetan “Kronten” Chandgude described the achievement as a milestone for both the organisation and the wider Indian esports community.
The Pokémon UNITE Asia Champions League 2026 Finals will take place on March 28–29 at Yokohama BUNTAI. Reckoning Esports and GodLike Esports will join 16 teams competing for the championship title and a share of the $200,000 prize pool.
The post Reckoning Esports and GodLike Esports to Represent India at the Pokémon UNITE Asia Champions League 2026 in Japan appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Call of Duty Warzone esports
Team Vitality Expands FPS Dominance Ahead of Esports World Cup 2026 With PUBG, Warzone and CrossFire Entry
Team Vitality Accelerates FPS Expansion Ahead of Esports World Cup 2026
Team Vitality has officially announced a major competitive expansion ahead of the 2026 Esports World Cup (EWC), confirming its entry into three additional shooter titles: PUBG (PC), Call of Duty: Warzone, and CrossFire. The move strengthens the organisation’s growing dominance across FPS and tactical shooter esports, following championship success in Counter-Strike and VALORANT during the 2025 season.
The expansion signals a decisive strategic push as Team Vitality looks to build on its Top 3 overall club finish at the 2025 Esports World Cup, positioning itself as one of the most versatile and ambitious multi-title organisations in global esports.
Call of Duty: Warzone – Vitality Returns With Proven EWC Pedigree
Team Vitality is officially re-entering the competitive Call of Duty: Warzone ecosystem for the 2026 season, assembling a veteran-heavy roster built for immediate impact. The lineup includes Angel “Sage” Quinones, who secured a third-place finish at last year’s Esports World Cup, alongside experienced EWC finalists.
The new Warzone squad begins its EWC qualification journey through the Warzone Resurgence Series, with two pivotal LAN finals scheduled at DreamHack Birmingham and DreamHack Atlanta. Strong performances at these events will be crucial in securing Team Vitality valuable points and a place at the 2026 Esports World Cup.
Call of Duty: Warzone Roster
- Rasim “Blazt” Ogresevic (USA)
- Logan “Skullface” Greifelt (USA)
- Angel “Sage” Quinones (Mexico / Guatemala)
- Ethan “Ebatez” Bates (USA) – Coach
PUBG (PC) – A Strategic Return to a Global Esports Pillar
Team Vitality is making its long-awaited return to PUBG (PC) competition, marking its first appearance in the title since 2019. The roster is anchored by players recently competing under the Nemiga banner, who finished sixth at the PUBG Global Championship, reinforcing Vitality’s intent to compete at the highest international level.
This return also unlocks strategic synergies with Bigetron by Vitality, the organisation’s established PUBG Mobile powerhouse in Southeast Asia. As PUBG’s global ecosystem increasingly bridges PC and Mobile competition, Team Vitality aims to unite its worldwide fanbase and elevate brand visibility across both platforms.
PUBG (PC) Roster
- Aliaksandr “Gedrox” Puchko (Belarus)
- Vladislav “Lev4nte” Tasenko (Russia)
- Andrey “Qw1zzy” Pobedinskiy (Russia)
- Artem “hallomybad” Baskakov (Russia)
- Ramazan “H1RUZEN” Valiullin (Russia) – Coach
- Sergei “MrTok” Britok (Russia) – Manager
CrossFire – Entering a New Region With Championship Ambitions
Expanding into CrossFire for the first time, Team Vitality has acquired ROC Esports’ former lineup, establishing its operations in Egypt with a dedicated gaming house. The squad will compete in the CrossFire West League (EMEA), with two critical competitive splits scheduled for March–April and June–July.
Success in the regional league is expected to be the gateway to qualification for the Esports World Cup, while long-term ambitions stretch further toward the CrossFire Stars World Championship in China. Team Vitality enters the ecosystem as a dangerous challenger, targeting dominance beyond regional competition.
CrossFire Roster
- Youssef “tottziN” Nasser (Egypt)
- Ahmed “SNARE” Salah (Egypt)
- Mohamed “Snake” Ahmed (Egypt)
- Mohamed “Horus” Mahrous (Egypt)
- Abdelrahman “slayer” Fawzy (Egypt)
- Andrei “strey” Solovev (Russia) – Coach
- Kislay “Drolo” Satyaj (India) – General Manager
- Ammar “Apps” Ahmed (Egypt) – Substitute
- Abdelrhman “Bone” Mahmoud (Egypt) – Substitute
Building Toward a New FPS Dynasty
With momentum from a Top 3 finish at the 2025 Esports World Cup, Team Vitality is targeting even greater success in 2026, driven by the belief that every win counts.
Fabien “Neo” Devide, President and Co-founder of Team Vitality, commented that the expansion reflects the organisation’s commitment to elite competition and long-term growth across shooter esports. Corporate Director of Global Operations Danny Engels added that the move strengthens Vitality’s position to build a true multi-title FPS dynasty on the world’s biggest competitive stage.
As the countdown to the 2026 Esports World Cup begins, Team Vitality’s expanded shooter portfolio signals a clear message to rivals: the organisation is all-in on global FPS supremacy.
The post Team Vitality Expands FPS Dominance Ahead of Esports World Cup 2026 With PUBG, Warzone and CrossFire Entry appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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