In a groundbreaking development for India’s burgeoning eSports industry, telecom giant Vodafone Idea (Vi) and Paris-based esports behemoth Team Vitality have announced a strategic long-term partnership. The alliance, the first of its kind in the country, aims to capitalize on the rapidly expanding consumer interest in esports and stimulate the growth of the industry.

Vi and Team Vitality Forge a Strategic eSports Partnership in India

India’s esports sector, which is projected to rise to $140 million by 2027 as per the State of India Gaming Report 2022, has seen a significant surge in popularity over the past few years. Esports’ recent debut as an official medal sport at various international platforms has further cemented its position as a mainstream sport. This partnership between Vi and Team Vitality seeks to leverage this momentum and create unprecedented opportunities for esports fans and gaming enthusiasts alike.

The collaboration will cover various areas including brand sponsorship, content partnerships, gaming events, and other unique experiences at a scale never witnessed before in India. It will provide Vi customers with exclusive access to popular Team Vitality tournaments and teams, and enable participation in esports. The partnership also promises to offer aspiring esports talent across the country access to professional players, masterclasses, meet & greets with esports talents, and more.

Vi, renowned for its strong foothold in the mobile games segment via Vi Games on the Vi App, has been offering a wide array of hyper-casual mobile games to its users. The telecom operator recently entered the esports domain by hosting popular free-to-play tournaments across games like Call of Duty: Mobile, Free Fire Max, Asphalt 9, Clash Royale, and more. With this new association with Team Vitality, Vi intends to deepen its focus on esports in India.

Avneesh Khosla, CMO, of Vi, shared his thoughts on the partnership, stating, “Gaming has always been our strategic focus area, and we have continuously strived to strengthen our gaming portfolio with the right partnerships and relevant offerings. We are excited to partner with one of the leading esports organizations of the world – Team Vitality. Together, we aim to drive and democratize access to the esports ecosystem in India. In the coming months, we will introduce some exciting esports and other youth-centric content for our consumers to experience.”

Echoing Khosla’s excitement, Randall Fernandez, Managing Director, of Team Vitality India, added, “We are exhilarated to announce our partnership with Vi. We are at a juncture where technology will catapult gaming to the next level and eagerly look forward to our journey together. We will unlock new horizons searching for aspiring gaming talent across the length and breadth of the country, set new precedents, and create indelible marks within the esports industry.”

Team Vitality’s all-Indian Call of Duty: Mobile (CODM) team, who were among the top 16 teams globally that qualified and competed in the CODM World Championship 2023 held in Atlanta, US, is a testament to the organization’s commitment to promoting local talent.

To continue this upward trajectory and establish a deeper connection with consumers, Vi and Team Vitality plan to launch various gaming contests and events. This partnership signifies a promising future for the Indian esports industry as it continues its journey into the mainstream.