Indian esports collegiate platform College Rivals has announced that energy drink brand Red Bull, instant ramen company Nissin Cup Noodles and tech company Kreo have become sponsors of its series of events.
College Rivals Season 2 will see Red Bull, Nissin Cup Noodles and Kreo become the official energy partner, snacking partner and ‘Kreative’ partner, respectively.
Over 200,000 students across various competitions will be competing for the prize pool of INR 50,00,000 (~£46,000) and a professional gaming contract. The Ampverse and DMI Finance-ran event began in July 2024 and will continue over the coming months until the Grand Final, which is currently scheduled to occur sometime in Q1 2025.
Red Bull previously sponsored the first season of College Rivals when DMI Finance and Ampverse came together to create the event. The return of the brands also brings the return of racing simulators and product samples across interactive zones. Kreo will also provide opportunities for students to engage in the company’s gaming gear through interactive activities such as typing tests and giveaways.
The second season of College Rivals saw the event expand to over 20 cities and 58 colleges, meaning that 1.1m students across India have the opportunity to participate, according to the company.
Indian esports has been on the rise in the last few years with more events, esports organisations, streaming platforms and coverage sites developing within the country. This includes the recent acquisition of Gods Reign by Gladiator Esports, DreamHack India 2024, Rooter partnering with Chess.com and more.
Varun Oberoi Vice President, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Indo Nissin Foods spoke on the sponsorship: “We’re absolutely fired up to be part of College Rivals Season 2! The energy is electric, with thousands of students from all over the country bringing their A-game.
“The fast-paced action, intense competition, and pure thrill of gaming make this event a perfect match for Nissin Cup Noodles which is the go-to snacking option for gamers.”
