The Esports Federation of India (ESFI) has officially opened registrations for the National Esports Championships 2026 (NESC 2026), the national qualification tournament that will determine India’s esports contingent for the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Aichi–Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.
Registrations for the championship will remain open from February 21 to March 7, marking the start of a crucial selection cycle for Indian esports athletes aiming to represent the country at the continental multi-sport event. With esports set to feature as a full-fledged medal discipline for only the second time at the Asian Games following its debut as a medal event in Hangzhou in 2023 the stakes for India’s competitive gaming ecosystem are higher than ever.
At the upcoming Games, a total of 13 esports titles will be contested, of which India is expected to participate in 10. The NESC 2026 will serve as the official platform to identify and finalise athletes across titles confirmed under the Asian Games Esports Program. These include Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, The King of Fighters XV (clubbed as one team event), Pokémon Unite, League of Legends, PUBG Mobile (Asian Games Version), Puyo Puyo, Naraka: Bladepoint, eFootball and Gran Turismo.
Through this qualification pathway, ESFI will select athletes to compete across eight medal events, collectively offering India the opportunity to contest up to 24 medals at the Asian Games. The national selection process is expected to extend over a 30-day period, during which participants will compete in a structured competitive format designed to evaluate performance across individual and team-based titles.
Speaking on the launch of the registrations, ESFI President Vinod Kumar Tiwari highlighted the significance of the tournament in shaping India’s representation at the Games. He stated that the National Esports Championships 2026 represents a defining step in India’s journey toward the Asian Games, adding that the federation’s focus remains on identifying and nurturing the country’s top talent through a fair and transparent selection process.
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“The NESC 2026 provides a competitive platform for athletes to earn their place in the national squad. We encourage players from across India to step forward, compete with determination, and seize this opportunity to represent the nation on one of Asia’s biggest sporting stages,” Tiwari said.
One of the key logistical considerations for the selection process concerns PUBG Mobile, which will feature in a special Asian Games version distinct from the commercially available variant. As a result, ESFI will conduct its selection and evaluation process through Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI). However, the final participation of selected athletes in the Asian Games will remain subject to approval from the concerned competent authority.
The championship will be open to both professional esports athletes and aspiring competitive gamers from across the country, irrespective of gender. By establishing a transparent qualification framework, ESFI aims to ensure that India’s finest talent earns the opportunity to compete on the continental stage.
Following the conclusion of the national championships, selected athletes and teams will advance to the Asian regional qualifiers, which are scheduled to take place between May and July 2026. These qualifiers will determine the final list of competitors who will earn qualification for the Asian Games in September.
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With esports continuing to gain prominence within the multi-sport ecosystem, the NESC 2026 selection cycle is expected to culminate in the announcement of India’s official esports squad for the Games. Beyond serving as a pathway to international representation, the upcoming edition presents India with a historic opportunity to secure its first-ever esports medal at the Asian Games.
Through this initiative, ESFI aims not only to strengthen India’s participation at one of Asia’s most prestigious sporting events but also to position the country as a credible medal contender in the rapidly evolving global esports landscape.
