KRAFTON India's Nationwide Esports Initiative Arrives at LNMIIT Jaipur
KRAFTON India has successfully brought its highly anticipated College Campus Tour to LNMIIT in Jaipur on February 7 and 8, marking a pivotal moment for the city's burgeoning Esports community. This activation represents a crucial component of the second edition of KRAFTON's flagship grassroots program, seamlessly integrating professionally organized tournaments directly into the college's Vivacity 2026 festival.
Structured Competitive Gaming Experience for Students
Students at LNMIIT participated in meticulously organized tournaments for popular titles BGMI and Real Cricket. These competitions featured standardized formats, experienced tournament oversight, and clearly defined advancement pathways. Unlike casual gaming sessions, participants experienced the full structure and competitive intensity of professional Esports, complete with official rules, live commentary, and formal recognition for top performers.
This initiative provided students with their first genuine opportunity to compete in an organized, competitive environment, bridging the gap between recreational play and professional aspirations.
Massive Nationwide Expansion Driven by Demand
The Jaipur leg is part of a significant nationwide expansion, with the tour now reaching 128 colleges across India. This growth is driven by overwhelming student demand, as evidenced by the program's evolution. The inaugural edition engaged over 50,000 students, initially planned for 64 colleges but expanding to 85—a 32% increase—before scaling to its current extensive reach.
This expansion reflects the rising appetite for credible competitive platforms at the college level, particularly in emerging Esports hubs beyond major metropolitan cities. Jaipur's inclusion underscores the program's commitment to nurturing talent across diverse regions.
Pathways to Higher-Level Competition
Top-performing teams from LNMIIT will not be confined to campus boundaries. They will progress to zonal competitions, where they will face the best college teams from across their region. High-performing teams from these zonal stages will earn coveted invitations to higher-tier qualifiers within KRAFTON India's broader competitive ecosystem.
- This includes potential pathways to flagship tournaments like BGIS (Battlegrounds Mobile India Series) and BMPS (Battlegrounds Mobile Pro Series).
- For many students, this represents their first structured entry point into India's rapidly professionalizing Esports landscape.
The recent Union Budget 2025-26's focus on Creator Labs and digital innovation infrastructure is expected to further accelerate grassroots talent development, strengthening the foundation for sustainable competitive gaming careers nationwide.
Official Statement on Grassroots Development
Karan Pathak, Associate Director - Esports at KRAFTON India, emphasized the program's community-driven approach. "What we're seeing across campuses is a clear appetite for serious competition and recognition. Our goal is to meet students where they already are and give their passion a more meaningful direction. Initiatives like the Campus Tour allow us to listen, learn, and build Esports from the ground up alongside the community."
By bringing structured competitive gaming to Jaipur, KRAFTON India is actively reinforcing Esports as a mainstream pursuit—one where passion, skill, and dedication can translate into tangible progression and professional opportunity. This initiative not only fosters competitive spirit but also aligns with broader national efforts to cultivate digital talent and innovation.
