The anticipated franchise league for Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) has reportedly been called off, at least for now.
The league was officially unveiled on June 24th, as KRAFTON invited bids for the tournament, which it referred to as a ‘revolutionary esports initiative.’
However, as per a recent report by Inside Sport, Krafton believes that despite the idea receiving strong interest, “the current environment does not fully support the scale and impact originally envisioned.”
A previous report from letsgrowesports, a reliable source for BGMI leaks, contradicts this statement, claiming the decision was made because franchise bids fell short.
That said, the publisher plans to revisit the idea of launching a BGMI franchise league in the future.
“The franchise model remains a part of our long-term vision and may be revisited as the landscape evolves.”
Esports Insider has reached out to Krafton India for a response and this article will be updated once an answer is received.
An esports organisation owner who was involved in the bidding process told Esports Insider that the team was “very disappointed” with this decision. However, according to them, Krafton has promised to introduce a better model in the future.
“When we heard about this opportunity, we had a meeting and were confident it had big scope, just like the IPL. In the next 3–5 years, it could have become something big,” said another.
“It’s disappointing to see it not happening, but I hope next year, with a good timeline, Krafton reworks on it with input from all brands and orgs.”
What’s Next for BGMI Esports?
BGMI is arguably the most popular esports title in India and despite the franchise league getting postponed, its competitive scene seems to be thriving.
In 2025 alone, KRAFTON hosted two major events, the India Series (BGIS) and the Pro Series (BMPS), featuring a total prize pool of over ₹70,000,000 (~£593,001).
Moreover, the winner of the BMPS, Team Aryan x TMG, qualified for the PUBG Mobile World Cup (PMWC), resulting in an Indian team qualifying for an international tournament for the first time in three years.
Last weekend, the iQOO Battleground Series also wrapped up in Noida, with Orangutan emerging as champions.
Next up, Nodwin Gaming is also set to return with the fourth edition of the BGMI Masters Series (BGMS), which will take place in Delhi from August 18th to September 14th.
