RIVALS, Ampverse DMI’s gaming and entertainment platform, has launched Pro Rivals, a new national competitive esports tournament, and announced College Rivals Season 4 as its biggest collegiate season yet. The inaugural Pro Rivals runs from July 17 to 29, 2026, with nearly 1,000 teams competing across 6 online rounds for a total prize pool of ₹7 lakhs. College Rivals Season 4 kicked off in Pune on July 20 and will cover more than 100 colleges across 40+ cities, featuring BGMI Solo, BGMI Female, BGMI Squad, EA SPORTS FC Mobile, and Chess for the first time.
Pro Rivals: Format, Prize Pool, and Schedule
Pro Rivals is the first professional-tier esports property under the RIVALS platform. The tournament is being held entirely online from July 17 to 29, 2026, and has drawn nearly 1,000 teams from across India for a 6-round national competition.
The prize pool breakdown is as follows:
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| Champions | ₹3,00,000 |
| Runners-up | ₹2,00,000 |
| Third Place | ₹1,00,000 |
| MVP Award | ₹50,000 |
| Fan Favourite Award | ₹50,000 |
| Total | ₹7,00,000 |
Both the MVP and Fan Favourite individual awards are valued at ₹50,000 each. The MVP and Fan Favourite prizes are in addition to the team prize pool. The tournament concludes with India’s leading teams competing for the inaugural Pro Rivals championship title.
Charlie Baillie, Co-Founder and Group CEO of Ampverse, said: “Pro Rivals represents the next step in the evolution of the Rivals platform. As gaming communities continue to mature, players are looking for more opportunities to compete at a higher level and challenge themselves against stronger opposition. With Pro Rivals, we’re expanding the Rivals experience beyond campuses and have created a new stage for competitive play that complements College Rivals and strengthens the overall Rivals ecosystem.”
College Rivals Season 4: Scale, Games, and New Additions
College Rivals Season 4 is the platform’s largest collegiate competition to date. The season began in Pune on July 20, 2026, and will reach more than 100 colleges across over 40 cities in India.
Games featured in Season 4:
- BGMI Solo
- BGMI Female
- BGMI Squad
- EA SPORTS FC Mobile
- Chess (debut on the platform)
Chess makes its first appearance on College Rivals as a competitive title. Tournaments will take place online across colleges and cities. Beyond the competitive side, Season 4 will also include the Rivals Arcade zone, where students can participate in community gaming experiences and engagement activities. Music, creators, pop culture elements, and immersive campus experiences remain part of the College Rivals format.
Sumedha Mahajan, India Business Head at Ampverse DMI, said: “With Season 4, we’re significantly expanding the scale and experience of College Rivals, reaching more campuses, introducing new formats like Chess, and creating more ways for students to engage with gaming and youth culture. Alongside this, Pro Rivals extends the RIVALS platform by bringing together professional organisations and emerging teams in a national competition, giving players and fans new ways to experience RIVALS throughout the year.”
About RIVALS and Ampverse DMI
RIVALS is a youth culture and gaming entertainment platform owned and operated by Ampverse DMI Private Limited, a joint venture between Ampverse Group and DMI Finance, an RBI-registered NBFC in India. The platform runs College Rivals and Pro Rivals as its flagship competitive IPs alongside a youth marketing agency arm.
Ampverse has a history in Indian esports that goes back to 2021, when it acquired 7Sea Esports with a planned multi-million dollar investment to accelerate the gaming ecosystem. College Rivals has grown steadily since its first edition and is now in its fourth season, moving from a campus-only focus to a dual presence in both collegiate and professional esports.
India’s mobile gaming and esports market was valued at US$1.1 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach US$2.4 billion by 2029, as reported in the MIXI Global Investments India State of Play report. The launch of structured platforms like Pro Rivals and the expansion of College Rivals reflects that growth trajectory.
FAQs
What is Pro Rivals? Pro Rivals is a new national competitive esports tournament by RIVALS. The inaugural edition runs from July 17 to 29, 2026, with nearly 1,000 teams competing online across 6 rounds for a ₹7 lakh prize pool.
What is the prize pool for Pro Rivals? The total prize pool is ₹7,00,000. The champions receive ₹3 lakhs, runners-up ₹2 lakhs, third place ₹1 lakh, and ₹50,000 each for the MVP and Fan Favourite awards.
What games are featured in College Rivals Season 4? BGMI Solo, BGMI Female, BGMI Squad, EA SPORTS FC Mobile, and Chess, which makes its College Rivals debut in Season 4.
How many colleges will College Rivals Season 4 reach? More than 100 colleges across over 40 cities in India.
When did College Rivals Season 4 start? College Rivals Season 4 began in Pune on July 20, 2026.
Who owns RIVALS? RIVALS is owned and operated by Ampverse DMI Private Limited, a joint venture between Ampverse Group and DMI Finance.
