eSports
BT Sport secures rights to the Isolation eRacing Series
From next week (Monday May 11th) BT Sport will begin airing a new esports tournament: the Isolation eRacing Series.
Kicking off on Monday 11th May, the virtual motorsports competition will pit stars of Formula One, Formula E and other professional motorsports series against each other on virtual recreations of some of the world’s most iconic racing circuits such as Silverstone, Belgium’s Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the United States.
Formula One’s Lando Norris and Nicholas Latifi are among those set to compete in the championship. They will go toe to toe with more than 100 professional drivers from a range of different series, including Formula E star Oliver Rowland, F4’s Sebastian Montoya (the son of F1 and Indycar ace Juan Pablo Montoya) and British driver and F1 pundit, Billy Monger.
Each episode will bring fans three live heats, with the top ten drivers from each heat progressing to the final race. The format of each event will comprise one practice session, qualifying, three qualifying heats and a feature race (final). The results of the final will determine how many points each driver is awarded which, in turn, will determine the final championship table after the eight-round competition comes to an end. Coverage of the races will also include interview footage of the participating drivers while viewers will be able to choose which circuits they see by voting on social media.
Not only will it provide motorsport fans with their racing fix during lockdown, but the Isolation eRacing Series also looks to develop and nurture stars in the making, as well as keeping the current crop of racing drivers on top of their game while events are suspended. Drivers will compete using virtual F3 cars, using the same state-of-the-art racing simulation technology that Formula One drivers use to hone their skills. The programme iRacing, will be used by all drivers
Simon Green, head of BT Sport, said: “It’s fantastic to see the world of motorsport coming together to create an exciting and innovative new series at a time when viewers are missing their fix of live action. Lockdown is driving broadcast innovation apace across all of our sports and it is great to broadcast this new show to our motorsport fans alongside our live weekly MotoGP show on Sundays.”
The Isolation eRacing Series is the brainchild of former racing driver Enzo Mucci and Chris Harfield of WH Sports. Harfield said: “The series began life as a training exercise for professional drivers to keep sharp during isolation. It quickly became fiercely competitive and we were inundated with requests from drivers from a range of global motorsport disciplines who wanted to take part. The result is guaranteed excitement, as the stars of today go head to head with the stars of tomorrow. We are delighted to have teamed up with a renowned broadcaster in BT Sport, who will help bring the tournament to the homes of millions across the country, keeping them entertained during lockdown.”
The Isolation eRacing Series will begin at 18:00 on Monday, May 11th on BT Sport 1 and will be a weekly series, and broadcast every Monday after that.
Powered by WPeMatico
The Indian esports landscape is transitioning from a period of rapid “spectacle” growth to a phase defined by lasting institutional structure. Following the implementation of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA), 2026 is set to be the year where regulatory clarity, international competition, and domestic grassroots development converge.
The Impact of PROGA: Policy into Practice
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA), signed into law in August 2025, has officially moved from policy to practice. Its primary contribution to 2026 is the explicit separation of esports from money-based gaming.
-
Legitimacy: By categorizing esports as a legitimate competitive pursuit, PROGA has unlocked state-level adoption and cleared the way for schools and colleges to integrate gaming into their sports frameworks.
-
Commercial Confidence: With a clear regulatory environment, brands in sectors like FMCG, automotive, and BFSI are now viewing esports as a stable, long-term youth engagement platform rather than a risky experiment.
-
Athlete Pathways: PROGA facilitates the creation of standardized national registries for athletes, ensuring that competitive integrity is maintained across grassroots and professional tiers.
The Asian Games 2026: A Global Stage
The Asian Games 2026 in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, serves as the most critical milestone for the ecosystem this year.
-
Medal Status: Esports will feature as a full medal event with 11 confirmed titles, including League of Legends, PUBG Mobile (Asian Games Version), and Pokémon UNITE.
-
Indian Prospects: India’s best historical result (quarter-finals in League of Legends at Hangzhou) has set a high bar. For 2026, the focus has shifted toward high-performance training camps and long-term athlete mentorship to secure a podium finish.
-
Multi-Sport Integration: Participation alongside traditional athletes reinforces the narrative that esports is a viable professional career, further encouraging government investment through schemes like Khelo India.
Market Evolution and Key Trends
The Indian gaming market is projected to reach approximately $5.02 billion in 2026, driven by a massive player base exceeding 500 million gamers.
| Trend | Impact in 2026 |
| Mobile Dominance | Over 95% of the market remains mobile-first, fueled by 5G expansion and affordable hardware. |
| Beyond BGMI | 2026 is seeing a push to diversify the market into fighting games, sports simulations, and PC titles to avoid “one-title dependency.” |
| Monetization Shift | Revenue is shifting from pure advertising toward battle passes, subscription models, and in-game progression. |
| Tier II & III Growth | Most new user acquisition is coming from smaller cities, demanding more vernacular and localized content. |
The post Indian Esports 2026: Strategic Growth and the Asian Games Milestone appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: India has long been a mobile-first gaming market (thanks to PUBG Mobile/BGMI). But 2025 proved that PC esports is not dead; in fact, it’s thriving culturally. Riot’s ability to integrate VALORANT into mainstream Indian youth culture—from “topper” billboards on exam result day to hip-hop festivals—is a masterclass in localized marketing. The success of S8UL Esports in League of Legends also signals that South Asia is finally ready to compete in global Tier 1 events.
The Full Story
Riot Games has released a retrospective on 2025, describing it as the year gaming in South Asia “didn’t feel tucked away anymore,” but rather became an unmistakable part of mainstream culture.
From filled cafés during watch parties to billboards featuring “inside jokes” from voice comms, the publisher’s year was defined by a massive surge in engagement across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, and Bhutan.
The Competitive Surge: LoL and VALORANT The year began with the launch of Legends Ascend South Asia, a structured pathway for League of Legends talent that the region had been demanding. Ninety-five teams competed, culminating in S8UL Esports lifting the trophy and qualifying for the LCP Wild Card Playoffs—placing South Asian talent directly into the global conversation.
Simultaneously, PC esports found its footing in India through VALORANT Challengers South Asia.
-
The Numbers: The circuit recorded over 103 million live and non-live views throughout the season.
-
The Finals: The LAN event peaked at 50,000 concurrent viewers, proving that the appetite for PC tactical shooters remains fierce in a mobile-dominated region.
Cultural Crossovers: V5 and Rolling Loud Midway through the year, VALORANT celebrated its fifth anniversary (V5) with a campaign deeply rooted in Indian student culture.
-
“VAL Toppers”: On JEE results day (a major academic milestone in India), Riot reimagined the traditional “exam topper” billboards to celebrate Radiant-ranked players, sparking a viral conversation.
-
Rolling Loud India: In November, gaming met hip-hop. Riot integrated VALORANT into one of the world’s largest hip-hop festivals, with karaoke pods and gaming zones operating alongside performances by Wiz Khalifa and Central Cee.
Management Commentary Anushka Bhatnagar, Publishing Lead for Riot Games India & South Asia, reflected on the shift:
“2025 felt like a year when India’s gaming and esports landscape stepped into the centre of cultural conversation. VALORANT turning five reminded us how deeply the community here has shaped the game. From grassroots watch parties to moments like Rolling Loud, the ecosystem grew with a confidence that felt distinctly homegrown.”
Grassroots Momentum Beyond the flash of festivals, the year was sustained by community energy. College events introduced first-time players to the ecosystem, while local watch parties turned malls into pop-up arenas, ensuring that the growth of South Asian gaming was built “together” rather than just broadcast from above.
The post From Rolling Loud to Riot Games: How 2025 Became the Year of Indian Gaming appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: While many operators treat sports and esports as separate silos, GG.BET spent 2025 actively dismantling that wall. Their strategy isn’t just about slapping logos on jerseys; it’s about content crossovers. Events like the “Match of LeGGends”—where pro footballers played Counter-Strike against NAVI—demonstrate a sophisticated understanding that the modern bettor is often a hybrid fan. This cross-pollination strategy is likely the future of betting marketing.
The Full Story
GG.BET, the international betting brand, has released a comprehensive video recap of its 2025 activity, showcasing a year defined by major traditional sports sponsorships and innovative projects that blurred the lines between the pitch and the server.
The recap, which details the operator’s expansion in both the sports and esports verticals, highlights a strategy built on immersive content rather than passive branding.
Traditional Sports: Boxing and Football In the world of traditional sports, GG.BET secured high-visibility partnerships. The brand served as the official partner for the heavyweight clash between Usyk and Dubois II, executing a global media campaign at Wembley Stadium.
In Ukraine, a key licensed market for the brand, GG.BET solidified its football presence by signing a three-year contract with the legendary FC Dynamo Kyiv, alongside sponsorships of FC Polissya and FC Zorya.
-
The “Dynamo 3.0” Campaign: To celebrate Dynamo Kyiv’s 30th championship, GG.BET hosted a “star-studded” press event featuring a short film on the team’s history, custom jerseys, and fan-centric activations, moving beyond standard sponsorship duties.
Esports Innovation: Mapping the Industry GG.BET continued to lead in its native esports territory. A standout project was the launch of the Interactive Esports Map in collaboration with Esports Charts. This tool provides users with retrospective data on global esports trends, including regional top disciplines and prize fund statistics.
The brand also focused on industry education, organizing the “Ukraine in Esports: Myth vs Fact” panel at the SBC Summit Ukraine and curating a unique “Esports Museum” to display legendary trophies and history.
Blurring the Lines: The “Match of LeGGends” Perhaps the most distinct initiative of 2025 was the “Match of LeGGends: Server Derby.” This crossover show match saw the current NAVI Counter-Strike 2 roster face off against footballers from Dynamo Kyiv inside the game server.
-
The Format: GG.BET designed unique game modes and special rules for the event, which was streamed with commentary from major figures in sports and entertainment. The project successfully introduced traditional sports fans to esports mechanics and vice versa.
Industry Recognition The efficacy of this hybrid communication strategy was acknowledged by the wider industry, with GG.BET securing the Operator of the Year in CEE title at the EGR Global Europe Awards 2025.
The post GG.RECAP 2025: How GG.BET Bridged the Gap Between Football and CS2 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
-
Hold and2 days agoPragmatic Play Rings in 2026 with Joker’s Jewels Hold & Spin™
-
Bespoke Gaming Studio1 day ago
CreedRoomz and Casumo Forge Strategic Partnership to Elevate Live Casino Experience
-
Five Elements Slot2 days ago
PG Soft Concludes 2025 with High-Volatility Launch: Mythical Guardians
-
iGaming News 20262 days ago
Spinomenal Rings in 2026 with Japanese-Inspired “Kami Reign Ultra Mode”
-
Latest News2 days agoFrom ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025
-
Button Blind2 days ago
Stretch Network Boosts Player Engagement with Year-End Platform Enhancements
-
B2B gaming software2 days ago
Gamblers Connect and BetOxygen Announce Strategic B2B Partnership
-
Latest News2 days ago
‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch
