Home Blog Page 167

ENC 2026 VALORANT Head Coaches: Every Confirmed Name by Region

Yash More
-
0
ENC 2026 VALORANT Head Coaches: Every Confirmed Name by Region

The Esports Nations Cup 2026 has revealed its VALORANT coaching lineup. Over 730 coaches have been officially approved across 100+ nations, kicking off the player registration phase for one of the biggest national-team tournaments in esports history.

Here is the complete list of confirmed head coaches for the ENC 2026 VALORANT tournament, organized by region.

What Is the ENC 2026 VALORANT Tournament?

The Esports Nations Cup 2026 is a multi-game national team event hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It runs from November 2 to November 29, 2026. VALORANT’s main tournament takes place during the second week, from November 8 to 15.

A total of 32 national teams will compete. The prize pool for VALORANT stands at $1,500,000.

The event is organized by the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), the same body that runs the Esports World Cup. It is the first edition of the ENC series, announced at the New Global Sport Conference in August 2025.

How Qualification Works

Of the 32 spots available, teams reach the finals through three paths:

  • 16 direct invites based on the VALORANT National Team Rankings
  • 14 spots from seven continental qualifiers (two per qualifier)
  • 2 wildcard spots (details not yet confirmed)

The VALORANT National Team Rankings use VCT results. Points are shared equally among all club members who played. A nation’s ranking adds up the points of the top five players on its submitted roster. The cutoff date for the national ranking is June 21, 2026.

Roster and Eligibility Rules

Each national roster includes five players and up to two substitutes. All players must hold the nationality of the country they represent. Coaches do not have this restriction and can come from any nationality.

One key club limitation applies: no more than three members of a team, including substitutes, can come from the same esports organization.

Coaches were required to submit their names by April 7, 2026. Player rosters have a deadline extended to May 10, 2026.

ENC 2026 VALORANT Head Coaches: Africa

CountryHead Coach
Cameroon“Overlord”
Cote d’Ivoire“Kiro”
Djibouti“Zahra”
EgyptAhmed “ZE1SH” Sheikh
Ghana“Castor”
KenyaTBD
Malawi“wombat”
Nigeria“Allen Walker”
Senegal“Kirรฉne”
South Africa“Fury”

ENC 2026 VALORANT Head Coaches: Americas

CountryHead Coach
ArgentinaGonzalo “Romanilly” Manzano
Bahamas“Pyro”
CanadaDakota “Stunner” MacLeod
Chileรlvaro “WKN” Bustos
ColombiaJohan “StepheeN” Rodriguez
Costa RicaWilfried Zaha
Dominican Republic“Foss1l”
Guatemala“Poper”
Honduras“Ecxilon”
MexicoJorge “Atom” Noriega
ParaguayIvรกn “Inthra” Argรผello
PeruGiancarlo “giaNco” Arrรณspide
United StatesJosh “JoshRT” Lee
UruguayNicolรกs “Near” Gonzalez

ENC 2026 VALORANT Head Coaches: Asia

CountryHead Coach
Bahrain“ALOOY”
Bangladesh“scorezy”
Brunei Darussalam“Simon”
IndonesiaBaskoro “roseaufy” Putra
JapanKakeru “Vorz” Ikarashi
JordanAmjad “BABABEAST” Al-Belbiese
KazakhstanSultan “sultan” Akbay
KuwaitEssa “ZiFE” Alshammeri
KyrgyzstanHarry “zelo” Davies
LebanonDavid “Dav1” Miljaniฤ‡
MalaysiaHoc Wah “Fayde” Chong
MongoliaEnkh-Orgil “Orgil” Batjargal
MoroccoMartin “Ewok” van der Walt
OmanSha “ZesBeeW” Mohtar
PakistanAyesha “Skel” Samman
PhilippinesJose “Rbtx” Jamir
Saudi ArabiaAndreas “Andreas” Nielsen
SingaporeBenedict “Benkai” Tan
Syrian Arab Republic“Prometheus”
ThailandPiyangoon “MYM” Kitisin
Turkmenistan“aufina”
Uzbekistan“Rusty”
VietnamPhan “Kawa” Anh Huy

Singapore’s entry stands out. Benedict “Benkai” Tan is a well-known professional VALORANT player who has competed at the highest level in the Pacific region.

ENC 2026 VALORANT Head Coaches: Europe

CountryHead Coach
AustriaIljas “Matrixx” Amagow
Azerbaijan“Holly”
BelgiumXander “XanderKast” Martens
BulgariaDimitar “itopata” Staev
Croatia“Gaudarzz”
CzechiaVรกclav Jan “Vaลกek” Stezka
DenmarkCasper “Desmo” Rasmussen
FinlandJiri “KUNDIKUNDI” Honkala
FranceVincent “Happy” Schopenhauer
Georgia“Deny”
GermanyNavid “Kapio” Javadi
GreeceIlias “iLka” Kaskanetas
HungaryViktor “victorsoN” Kovรกcs
Iceland“Axel”
Irelandmike.D
IsraelYaniv “nightmareK” Schreiber
ItalySimone “simoz” Giovannini
Latvia“PTJj”
LithuaniaLaurynas “Nbs” Kisielius
Moldova“FELLY”
NetherlandsMilan “Milan” de Meij
NorwayPรฅl Ari “PUMA” Puma-Bรธ
PolandDaniel “yaotziN” Roczniak
PortugalMiguel “Bati” Batista
Romania“Albala”
SerbiaPavle “pakko” Kostiฤ‡
Slovakia“Landry”
SloveniaKris “KHorror” Horvat
SpainManuel “thinkii” Martรญnez
SwedenErik “d00mbr0s” Sandgren
Switzerland“holden”
TรผrkiyeMert “KEY” ร‡elebi (Head Coach) / Berke “Vlad” Kantรผrk (Coach)
UkraineIvan “Johnta” Shevtsov
United KingdomNeil “neilzinho” Finlay

Tรผrkiye is the only nation to list two coaching staff members in this announcement.

ENC 2026 VALORANT Head Coaches: Oceania

CountryHead Coach
AustraliaChris “Elmapuddy” Tebbit
Guam“Swehts”
New ZealandYifang “Yifang” Chen

What Happens Next

Player rosters must be submitted by May 10, 2026. After that, over 100,000 qualifier participants from 100 nations will compete across seven regional qualifiers for the remaining spots in Riyadh.

Track the full coach and roster list on the official ENC VALORANT page and the Liquipedia ENC 2026 VALORANT wiki, both updated as new information comes in.

For India’s path to ENC, NODWIN Gaming has been appointed as India’s National Team Partner and will oversee team selection across multiple titles including VALORANT.

The ENC 2026 VALORANT tournament runs November 8 to 15 in Riyadh. With $1.5 million on the line and 32 nations competing, it is the largest country-based VALORANT competition ever held.

FAQ

When does the ENC 2026 VALORANT tournament take place? The VALORANT main event runs from November 8 to 15, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

How many teams compete in ENC 2026 VALORANT? 32 national teams compete. 16 receive direct invites, 14 qualify through continental qualifiers, and 2 enter through wildcards.

Can a VALORANT coach have a different nationality? Yes. ENC 2026 coaches are not required to hold the nationality of the country they represent. This rule applies to players only.

What is the prize pool for ENC 2026 VALORANT? The prize pool for the VALORANT tournament at ENC 2026 is $1,500,000.

Who is the head coach for Singapore at ENC 2026? Benedict “Benkai” Tan has been appointed as Singapore’s head coach for VALORANT at ENC 2026.

When is the player roster deadline for ENC 2026 VALORANT? The deadline has been extended to May 10, 2026.

Vitality Wins Against FUT to Start BLAST Rivals Season 1

Sarjyo Mukherjee
-
0
Vitality Wins Against FUT to Start BLAST Rivals Season 1

Vitality has taken down FUT with a 2-1 scoreline to kick off the BLAST Rivals Season 1 2026 with a win. Both teams won their map picks in a thrilling series, as FUT, playing with their coach, struggled to keep up.

VETO

  • FUT removed Inferno
  • Vitality removed Ancient
  • FUT picked Mirage
  • Vitality picked Dust2
  • FUT removed Overpass
  • Vitality removed Nuke
  • Anubis was left over

Map 1: Mirage; Pick: FUT; Winner: Vitality

Starting on their stronger side, Vitality got off to a solid start on the defense as FUT struggled to get going. As they lacked firepower, their offense suffered against Vitality, leading to no more than 3 rounds before switching sides. Getting on the board with a force buy conversion, Vitality had little work to put in after securing the massive lead to start the map. FUT continues to struggle to win the map with a 13-6 scoreline. FUT failing to back up dem0n gave way for meizii to drop a masterclass worth 1.81 IR.

Map 2: Dust2; Pick: Vitality; Winner: FUT

Following a total blowout, FUT shocked Vitality by giving a solid fight on the defense, where Vitality were supposed to have a field day. As Vitality managed to hold on, FUT levelled the first half with a 6-6 scoreline. FUT took the lead in the second half off the back of their pistol round conversion before Vitality started mounting rounds, as the better part of the half. However, FUT edged out in the final round to secure a 13-11 scoreline.

Map 3: Anubis; Pick: Decider; Winner: Vitality

Losing the pistol round, Vitality hit the board with their force buy, setting the tone for a half that saw FUT fail to win a single round. Vitality closed out the first half with an 11-1 dominant scoreline. A comeback by FUT saw them pull 11 rounds to start the second half before Vitality secured the 2 rounds they needed to close out the half with a 13-X scoreline as they secured their first win of the BLAST Rivals Season 1.

Heavy favorites coming into the match-up saw Vitality get pushed to an unexpected degree by FUT, which led to a close match, especially in the second and third maps. As Vitality reaches the next round, it will be interesting to see how far FUT goes without a key player.

How to Play Cache in CS2 in 2026

PlayStation Plus May 2026 Free Games Confirmed

Aritra Patra
-
0
PlayStation Plus May 2026 Free Games Confirmed

Sony has confirmed the three free games coming to PlayStation Plus Essential in May 2026. All three titles go live on Tuesday, May 5, and remain available to claim until midnight on June 1.

The lineup replaces April’s batch, which included Lords of the Fallen, Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream, and Tomb Raider I-III Remastered. April’s games are claimable until Monday, May 4.

What Games Are Free on PS Plus in May 2026?

The three games joining PS Plus Essential in May are EA Sports FC 26, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, and Nine Sols. All three are playable on PS5. EA Sports FC 26 and Nine Sols are also available on PS4. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is PS5 only.

Unlike Extra and Premium tier games, Essential monthly games are yours to keep as long as you have an active PS Plus membership. They stay in your library and remain accessible from your console at any time.

EA Sports FC 26 (PS5, PS4)

EA Sports FC 26 features over 20,000 players across more than 750 clubs and national teams, spread across 120+ stadiums and 35+ leagues. The game includes two gameplay presets: Authentic Gameplay and Competitive Gameplay. Football Ultimate Team returns with live events, tournaments, and updated Rivals and Champs modes.

As a bonus, PS Plus members will also receive an EA Sports FC 26 PlayStation Plus Icons Pack that can be redeemed while the game is part of the subscription.

Push Square reviewed the game at launch and gave it a 7/10, noting it should appeal to a wide audience.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers (PS5)

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is a soulslike action RPG set during the final years of China’s Ming Dynasty. Players control Wuchang, a female pirate warrior who wakes up with no memory. The world is overrun by warring factions and a condition called Feathering, which causes people to mutate into monsters. Wuchang is herself affected by Feathering and must explore a connected open world, learn skills from defeated enemies, and uncover the source of the chaos.

The game launched less than a year ago, which makes its arrival on PS Plus somewhat early. At launch, Push Square gave it a 6/10. The review noted that while the gameplay was solid, the game had performance issues at release. Post-launch patches addressed some of these, though the current state of those fixes is not fully clear.

Nine Sols (PS5, PS4)

Nine Sols is a hand-drawn 2D action-platformer built around deflection-based combat, drawing comparisons to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Players take on bosses using precise timing and explore a world once ruled by an ancient alien race called the Elders.

Push Square called it “a brutal but excellent Metroidvania,” adding: the atmosphere is strong, the combat is rewarding, and the story blends mysticism with science fiction.

When Do April’s PS Plus Games Expire?

April’s three free games, Lords of the Fallen (PS5), Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream (PS5), and Tomb Raider I-III Remastered (PS5, PS4), are available to claim until Monday night, May 4. Anyone who has not yet added them to their library should do so before Tuesday.

How to Play Cache in CS2 in 2026

Sonu Banerjee
-
0
How to Play Cache in CS2 in 2026

Following years of anticipation in the CS2 community, Valve has finally added the iconic Counter-Strike map Cache to its competitive shooter in an update earlier today.

The latest CS2 update introduced a brand-new, reworked version of Cache to the game. This new version differs significantly from FMPONEโ€™s original iteration of the map. While it stays true to the overall structure of FMPONEโ€™s creation, Valveโ€™s Cache rework adds a complete visual overhaul to the map alongside a plethora of other changes.

Interestingly, the new Cache in CS2 also reportedly features much smoother performance and higher overall FPS in-game compared to the original version. As per โ€œThourCS,โ€ the new Cache delivers roughly a 22.5% increase in average FPS compared to FMPONEโ€™s version.

Unfortunately, Cache is not available to play in the Premier map pool of CS2 at the time of writing. For the same reason, newer players may find it confusing to figure out how to play Cache in CS2.

How to Play Cache in CS2 in 2026

While Cache is not available to play in Premier queues as of yet, CS2 players are still able to try out the map in Competitive, Casual, Deathmatch, and other game modes ahead of its addition to the Premier map pool.

Hereโ€™s how you can play Cache in CS2 right now:

  • Queue for Cache from the Competitive maps list.
  • Queue for โ€˜Active Duty Deltaโ€™ on Casual or Deathmatch.
  • Type โ€˜map de_cacheโ€™ in your console to start a game with bots. (Type โ€˜bot_kickโ€™ in console afterwards if you want to explore the map)

Cache is expected to enter the Premier map rotation alongside the CS2 Premier Season 5 update in late June or early July 2026. Once itโ€™s added, players can also look forward to a new Cache Collection, featuring fresh skins that the community is already excited about.

Take-Two CEO Confirms Rockstar Has Looked at More L.A. Noire

Aritra Patra
-
0
Take-Two CEO Confirms Rockstar Has Looked at More L.A. Noire

Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick confirmed on Tuesday that Rockstar Games has looked into doing more with L.A. Noire, the 2011 detective game that has not had a new entry in over a decade.

Zelnick made the comments at iicon, a new gaming industry event in Las Vegas organized by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the same body that previously ran E3. He was interviewed on stage by Variety’s Jenny Maas.

What Zelnick Actually Said

When asked directly whether Rockstar had looked at doing more with L.A. Noire, Zelnick’s answer was a straightforward “yes.” That reply reportedly caught the interviewer off guard.

He followed that up quickly with a broader statement on Take-Two’s approach to older franchises:

Broadly, we’re looking at doing something in the future with all of our intellectual property. There’s nothing to announce on L.A. Noire specifically, and if there were, it would be Rockstar announcing it, not me. But in any case, with regard to our legacy IP, the teams are always looking at what we have and we’re always thinking about it. The question is, at any given time, do we have a team that’s passionate about working on that?

So no sequel is confirmed. What Zelnick did confirm is that the IP is not off the table.

L.A. Noire originally launched in 2011, developed by the now-defunct Team Bondi. Players controlled Cole Phelps, a detective working through cases in 1940s Los Angeles. The game received a remaster in 2017 for modern consoles and a separate VR release.

Team Bondi’s founder, Brendan McNamara, later set up a studio called Video Games Deluxe, staffed partly by former L.A. Noire developers. That studio handled the 2017 re-release for Rockstar. In 2024, Rockstar acquired Video Games Deluxe and rebranded it as Rockstar Australia. The game also became part of the GTA+ subscription service in 2024.

That acquisition is worth noting. Rockstar now owns the studio with the most L.A. Noire experience outside of the original team.

New CS2 Cache Remake Reportedly Gives Higher FPS Than the Original Version

Sonu Banerjee
-
0
New CS2 Cache Remake Reportedly Gives Higher FPS Than the Original Version

Earlier today, Valve officially dropped Cache into the competitive map pool of CS2, bringing an end to months of teasers and years of anticipation from the community surrounding the return of one of Counter-Strikeโ€™s most iconic maps.

While remaining structurally faithful to FMPONEโ€™s original version of Cache, Valveโ€™s new Cache remake brings a complete visual overhaul to the map, modernizing its look for CS2 but also seemingly contributing to smoother performance and higher FPS in-game.

According to a report from โ€œThourCS,โ€ Valveโ€™s Cache remake delivers significantly better performance compared to FMPONEโ€™s original version.

As noted by the prominent CS2 content creator and dataminer, the new Cache delivers roughly a 22.5% increase in average FPS, while 1% lows are up by 31.9% compared to FMPONEโ€™s version. These results were recorded by walking the exact same path on both versions of the map.

Note that ThourCS was running a high-end rig equipped with a 9800X3D and RTX 5070 at the time of testing this, so the difference on low and mid-tier PCs might not be as drastic.

Regardless, this huge boost in the mapโ€™s performance should still be a big win for the CS2 community. Not only does the return of a fan-favorite map bring back a wave of nostalgia, but it also comes with a smoother, more optimized experience that should benefit players across the board.

At the time of writing, Cache isnโ€™t a part of the Premier map pool, but fans are free to try out the new map in Casual, Competitive, Deathmatch, and other game modes.

CS2 Cache Update: Valve Adds Reworked Map to Competitive, Casual, and More

Yash More
-
0
CS2 Cache Update: Valve Adds Reworked Map to Competitive, Casual, and More

Valve dropped a CS2 update on April 29, 2026. The headline: Cache is back. The reworked map is now live in Competitive, Casual, Deathmatch, and Retakes modes. It has been absent from official matchmaking since Valve pulled it from the CS:GO Active Duty pool back in 2019.

The patch also covers changes to Dust II, Office, Stronghold, and Poseidon. On top of that, there are minor Animgraph 2 tweaks, sound fixes, and a couple of bug corrections. Not a small update.

Cache Returns After Seven Years Away

Cache entered the CS:GO Active Duty pool in 2014. It was removed on March 28, 2019, replaced by Vertigo. That is more than seven years off the official competitive stage.

The map was originally created by Shawn “FMPONE” Snelling. Valve purchased the rights to Cache from him in May 2025 and has since been rebuilding it using CS2’s Source 2 engine. The CS2 Cache release date became official when the April 29 update went live, following weeks of Valve teasers. We covered the buildup in detail, including the “next week” Cache tease Valve posted on their official CS2 social channel.

Cache also holds a specific milestone. It was the first community-created map ever added to the CS:GO Active Duty pool. Its final major appearance was at IEM Katowice 2019.

One important note for competitive players: Cache is not in Premier mode yet, and it is not in the professional Active Duty pool. According to Dot Esports, that move is expected after the IEM Cologne Major 2026. For now, players can use standard modes to learn angles, utility, and timings.

Other Map Changes in This Patch

Cache gets the spotlight, but the update touched several other maps too.

Dust II received a layout change at Xbox, also called Mid Box. The box has been uncovered, revealing a jump spot that was previously hidden. Valve’s own patch notes added: “On purpose this time.” That comment points to an earlier unintentional version of the change that appeared in March.

Office got a smaller fix. Collision was enabled on tarps placed on boxes around CT spawn.

Community maps Stronghold and Poseidon were both updated to their newest versions from the Community Workshop.

Animgraph 2 and Sound Fixes

Valve made minor adjustments to viewmodel animations under Animgraph 2. Two knife-specific fixes came with this: the Talon and Karambit knives now display correctly when a player defuses a bomb.

On audio, the patch corrects an issue where the C4 equip sound was not being properly cut off by other equip sounds. A first-person death sound effect has also been removed. This effect was previously triggering during rounds where the music kit’s death cue was inaudible. There are also general sound mix adjustments included.

Bug Fixes

Two bugs got patched in the miscellaneous section.

The first involved shading. A shader bug was causing railings in certain maps, specifically Mirage, to appear overly dark and blocky. The root cause was an ambient occlusion issue triggered by alpha test rendering. That is now corrected.

The second involved weapon handling. There was a case where a player could end up holding no weapon at all. It happened when a hand-switch request was made immediately after a grenade throw. That edge case is fixed.

Full CS2 April 29 Patch Notes

Maps

  • Cache: Added to Competitive, Casual, Deathmatch, and Retakes
  • Dust II: Mid Box (Xbox) uncovered to reveal previously hidden jump spot
  • Office: Collision enabled on tarps around CT spawn
  • Stronghold: Updated to latest Community Workshop version
  • Poseidon: Updated to latest Community Workshop version

Animgraph 2

  • Minor adjustments to viewmodel animations
  • Talon and Karambit knives now held correctly while defusing

Sound

  • Minor mix changes and adjustments
  • Fixed C4 equip sound not being interrupted by other equip sounds
  • Removed first-person death sound effect playing when music kit death cue was inaudible

Misc

  • Shader fix for AO on alpha test causing dark silhouettes on railings (seen in Mirage)
  • Fixed case where hand-switch request after grenade throw resulted in no weapon being held

Context: How Cache Got Here

The path back for Cache was not quick. FMPONE released a full CS2 remake on the Steam Workshop in March 2025. Valve went quiet for months after buying the rights. In January 2026, the official CS2 account told Natus Vincere on social media that Cache was “cooking.”

Then in April 2026, FACEIT ran a community vote. Cache won with 148,840 votes, beating Train and Vertigo, and went live on FACEIT servers on April 22. A week later, it showed up in the official CS2 update.

If you want the full background on Cache’s return to CS2 and what it means for the map pool long-term, we have a detailed breakdown.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cache available in CS2 Premier mode? No. As of the April 29 update, Cache is only in Competitive, Casual, Deathmatch, and Retakes. Premier and Active Duty inclusion is expected after the IEM Cologne Major 2026.

Who originally made Cache? Cache was created by Shawn “FMPONE” Snelling. Valve bought the rights to the map in May 2025 and rebuilt it for CS2’s Source 2 engine.

When was Cache removed from CS:GO’s Active Duty pool? Cache was removed on March 28, 2019, when Vertigo was added in its place. Its last major tournament was IEM Katowice 2019.

What map could get dropped when Cache enters Active Duty? Valve has not announced any map removal. Community discussion has pointed to Mirage, Inferno, and Ancient as candidates, but there is no official word yet.

What changed on Dust II in this update? The Mid Box, known as Xbox, was uncovered to reveal a jump spot. Valve confirmed this was done on purpose.

Gods Omen Win KRAFTON India College Campus Tour Season 2 Championship, Earn BMPS 2026 Slot

Divyesh Moghe
-
0
Gods Omen Win KRAFTON India College Campus Tour Season 2 Championship, Earn BMPS 2026 Slot

KRAFTON India’s most ambitious grassroots esports initiative has found its first-ever champion. Gods Omen from Rishihood University, Sonipat, Haryana won the 2026 KRAFTON India Esports College Campus Tour Championship, taking home a prize of INR 2,00,000 and a direct qualification slot to BMPS 2026. The announcement was made on April 28, 2026, marking the close of Season 2 of the College Campus Tour.

Season 2 reached 128 colleges across Tier 1, 2, and 3 cities and engaged over 75,000 students nationwide. It is the largest college esports program India has seen so far.

How the Grand Finals Were Played

The Grand Finals brought together 16 college BGMI squads drawn from four zones: North, South, East, and West. The entire event was conducted online, a first for the Campus Tour program. Competition ran across three days and 18 matches, with teams playing on Rondo, Erangel, and Miramar.

The field included teams from some of India’s most recognized academic institutions. IIT Bhubaneswar, IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati, IIM Indore, and IIIT Delhi all sent squads to the Grand Finals. For many of these student teams, it was their first time competing in a professionally structured, standardized esports format.

The Grand Finals were broadcast live on the KRAFTON India Esports YouTube channel.

Champions: Gods Omen from Rishihood University

At the end of 18 matches, Gods Omen from Rishihood University, Sonipat, Haryana stood at the top with 203 total points. They are India’s first-ever College Campus Tour Champions. Their prize: INR 2,00,000 and a direct slot into BMPS 2026, which starts May 6 with 64 teams competing for a prize pool of over INR 2 crore.

The individual MVP award of INR 10,000 went to AnujtooOp of Gods Omen.

One important condition applies to the BMPS 2026 slot. Gods Omen must complete all required documentation and formalities within the timeline set by KRAFTON India. If the team is unable to meet those requirements, the slot will pass to the next eligible team in the final standings.

Full Prize Pool Results

The total prize pool for the Championship was INR 5,00,000. Here is how it was distributed across all 16 finalists:

PositionTeamCollegePrize
#1Gods OmenRishihood University, Sonipatโ‚น2,00,000
#29MM ESPORTSG.B. Pant DSEU, New Delhiโ‚น1,00,000
#3Endeavour EsportsIIT Bhubaneswarโ‚น50,000
#4W2R EsportsMaharaja Agrasen Institute, New Delhiโ‚น15,000
#5FRAG NINJAS ESPORTSCentral Institute of Tech, Assamโ‚น15,000
#64 CAMPERSGNIT PST, Kolkataโ‚น15,000
#7Rulzbreakers EsportsAIIMS Kalyani, Howrahโ‚น15,000
#8Fantastic FiveIIT Madras, Chennaiโ‚น15,000
#9Desynx EsportsAssam Engineering College, Guwahatiโ‚น10,000
#10Team OneShotIIIT Delhi, New Delhiโ‚น10,000
#11WasTakenNMIT, Bengaluruโ‚น10,000
#12Team RaZrG.B. Pant DSEU Okhla-1, New Delhiโ‚น10,000
#13BATTLE HAWKSNarsee Monjee College, Mumbaiโ‚น7,500
#14Team GojoIIM Indoreโ‚น7,500
#15Mystical WaveIIT Guwahatiโ‚น5,000
#16NLS ESPORTSDAIICT, Gandhinagarโ‚น5,000
MVPAnujtooOp (Gods Omen)โ‚น10,000

Karan Pathak, Associate Director of Esports at KRAFTON India, spoke about the Championship result and what it represents for Indian college esports.

“Gods Omen’s victory is more than a championship win. It’s proof that the next generation of competitive talent in India is ready. When a team outperforms squads from IITs and IIMs on the national stage, it tells you that esports is the great equaliser, purely about skill, strategy, and teamwork,” Pathak said.

“Season 2 of the Campus Tour has been our most ambitious undertaking yet, and the quality we witnessed across 128 colleges and all the way through to these Grand Finals has exceeded every expectation. We are incredibly proud of every team, every player, and every institution that was part of this journey.”

What Season 2 of the Campus Tour Achieved

The scale of Season 2 is worth putting in context. When KRAFTON India announced its grassroots College Campus Tour expansion to 128 colleges across India earlier this year, the goal was to embed structured competitive esports directly into college life across Tier 1, 2, and 3 cities. That goal is now backed by a concrete number: over 75,000 students engaged across the full Season 2 run.

The Campus Tour feeds into KRAFTON India’s broader grassroots-to-pro pathway. The champion team now has a direct route into BMPS, the invite-only pro circuit event that sits above BGIS in KRAFTON’s competitive hierarchy. That pathway, from a college qualifier to a national pro stage, is what makes the Campus Tour matter beyond the prize money.

BGMI esports has grown significantly in 2025. KRAFTON India’s own data shows the ecosystem crossed 930 million total views in 2025 with 86 million unique viewers, a 201% jump from the previous year. The Campus Tour is a direct contributor to that grassroots base. Teams and players entering competitive BGMI for the first time through college programs are part of what fuels that growth.

For more on how KRAFTON India’s esports ecosystem is structured and where BMPS sits in that hierarchy, the official KRAFTON India website has the full picture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the KRAFTON India College Campus Tour Season 2 Championship? Gods Omen from Rishihood University, Sonipat, Haryana won the championship with 203 total points. They claimed INR 2,00,000 in prize money and a direct slot to BMPS 2026.

Who was the MVP of the Campus Tour Grand Finals? AnujtooOp of Gods Omen was awarded the individual MVP prize of INR 10,000.

Who finished second and third in the Campus Tour Championship? 9MM ESPORTS from G.B. Pant DSEU, New Delhi took second place with INR 1,00,000. Endeavour Esports from IIT Bhubaneswar finished third and won INR 50,000.

Is Gods Omen’s BMPS 2026 slot confirmed? The slot is conditional. Gods Omen must complete all required documentation and formalities within the timeline set by KRAFTON India. If they cannot, the slot moves to the next eligible team in the standings.

How many colleges participated in Season 2 of the Campus Tour? Season 2 covered 128 colleges across Tier 1, 2, and 3 cities and engaged over 75,000 students across India.

What games and maps were played at the Grand Finals? The Grand Finals were played on BGMI across three maps: Rondo, Erangel, and Miramar. 18 matches were played across three days.

How can I watch the KRAFTON India College Campus Tour Grand Finals? The Grand Finals were broadcast live on the KRAFTON India Esports YouTube channel. VODs are available there for replay.

BGMI Redeem Codes Today (April 29, 2026): Get M416 Glacier Spin Tokens and Savage Totem Backpack Free

Divyesh Moghe
-
0
BGMI Redeem Codes Today (April 29, 2026): Get M416 Glacier Spin Tokens and Savage Totem Backpack Free

KRAFTON India has dropped a fresh batch of BGMI redeem codes today. This set brings 53 codes in total, including 4 exclusive M416 Glacier Spin Token codes and 49 general reward codes. The highlight of today’s drop alongside the Glacier Tokens is the Savage Totem Backpack, a warrior-inspired cosmetic with a bold, fierce aesthetic. All codes are valid through July 9, 2026. Move fast. Each code can only be claimed by 10 players on a first-come, first-served basis.

BGMI M416 Glacier Spin Token Codes (April 29, 2026)

The M416 Glacier remains one of the most wanted weapon skins in BGMI. These four codes give players a chance at Glacier Spin Tokens. Grab them before they expire:

  • LHZLZV4S78XJA6ND
  • LHZMZNMFXQPSQHW8
  • LHZNZJST4DNFAQV9
  • LHZOZST6BN8TNSSJ

If you missed earlier drops in this ongoing series, check out TalkEsport’s previous BGMI M416 Glacier redeem code coverage to see how the rollout has progressed since Day 1.

All BGMI General Redeem Codes Today (April 29, 2026)

These 49 general codes unlock various in-game rewards including the Savage Totem Backpack cosmetics. Enter them at the official redeem portal before someone else gets there first:

KIZCZ8EVC44KDEE4 | KIZDZ6EA5CDU7B66 | KIZEZ8RRV3EMSUBR | KIZFZ9VHFWTBPTRV | KIZGZ8M6MWWF6T8K | KIZHZ5796J6D9WDW | KIZIZSE6R6R3EX87 | KIZJZ658HP7TJMS8 | KIZKZW6NH7KB67BB | KIZLZ6XKSQMRD9PB | KIZMZWJKQ7B9KK8R | KIZNZE4WM5B5BDQR | KIZOZWHPQFC8CCUW | KIZPZHKGKUGJJWM3 | KIZQZSEJ58EHKWD5 | KIZRZ85QTMBVH8DU | KIZVZGV8ADEUERAM | KIZTZS6SH7EEJ84S | KIZUZMU6AFXEJXNQ | KIZBAZ466NHBVJQP | KIZBBZ8KNR47NM6D | KIZBCZXWN9M46T48 | KIZBDZU68D9GRUC5 | KIZBEZW6C4VG6B7W | KIZBFZKS6WB76HES | KIZBGZ4VQ9AT56RS | KIZBHZVMC6NC9THT | KIZBIZ6NQAVXK4F6 | KIZBJZN4ESM8UB55 | KIZBKZSS7M6SGQNR | KIZBLZRJGHWQ5XMH | KIZBMZQFVBDMU8GN | KIZBNZ8KR5GMW7KN | KIZBOZXS7SS9FAU4 | KIZBPZQ3GHXDUBGH | KIZBQZVKXHAP7H4A | KIZBRZ6KB5KXNAT4 | KIZBVZ454MQ78H88 | KIZBTZXUNGFHSDXF | KIZBUZNBDE3HRNEX | KIZCAZQKHKJ6MGCR | KIZCBZ5Q3XD6BD4G | KIZCCZVVB5UCDKTP | KIZCDZ99U3MR3Q3W | KIZCEZKWRGNWUW97 | KIZCFZU5TECDC6QB | KIZCGZ4FBGPUUCQD | KIZCHZ3GHQTVXNUS | KIZCIZ8KHTHNSWD5

About the Savage Totem Backpack

The Savage Totem Backpack is today’s featured cosmetic reward. It carries a warrior-themed design with a fierce, striking visual identity. As a backpack skin, it adds to the range of customization options available to players looking to stand out on the battlefield. It does not affect gameplay in any way, purely cosmetic.

How to Redeem BGMI Codes Today

Redeeming is quick. Follow these steps:

  1. Go to the official BGMI redeem page
  2. Enter your Character ID
  3. Enter the Redemption Code
  4. Complete the Captcha verification
  5. Look for the confirmation: “Code redeemed successfully”
  6. Collect your reward from your in-game mail

Rewards must be claimed within 30 days of receiving the in-game mail. After 30 days, the mail is deleted automatically.

Rules You Need to Know Before Redeeming

Read these before you start. Missing any of them will cost you a code:

  • Each code can only be used by 10 players total, first-come, first-served
  • You cannot redeem the same code twice
  • Only one code per account per day is allowed
  • Guest accounts cannot redeem codes
  • If 10 players have already claimed a code, you will see “Code expired” or a similar message
  • All codes expire on July 9, 2026

What Is the M416 Glacier Spin Token?

The M416 Glacier is BGMI’s most iconic weapon skin. It has been a symbol of prestige in the game since launch, known for its icy blue design and upgradable kill effects. Very few players have owned it at any given time, which is what makes the current redemption-based access so significant. Earlier this year, it also briefly returned through the BGMI Cricket League event.

Glacier Spin Tokens give players a chance to spin for the skin directly through the in-game reward system. They are not a guaranteed drop, but they are a real shot at one of the rarest cosmetics in the game. For a full history of how the M416 Glacier has been distributed over time and how to maximize your chances, see TalkEsport’s dedicated M416 Glacier guide for BGMI.

Why KRAFTON Is Dropping Codes Daily Until July 9

This is part of a structured, ongoing redeem code rollout that KRAFTON India launched earlier this month. New codes go live daily across BGMI’s official channels: YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. Bookmarking TalkEsport’s BGMI coverage is the fastest way to get each day’s codes without hunting across platforms.

This rollout runs parallel to BGMI’s biggest competitive moment of the year. KRAFTON India recently announced BMPS 2026, the Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series, starting May 6 with 64 teams, a prize pool of over Rs 2 crore, and direct EWC 2026 qualification slots on the line. The free reward drops are KRAFTON’s way of keeping the broader community engaged while competitive play heats up.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many BGMI redeem codes are available today? KRAFTON India has released 53 codes today: 4 M416 Glacier Spin Token codes and 49 general reward codes.

What is the Savage Totem Backpack in BGMI? The Savage Totem Backpack is a warrior-themed cosmetic backpack skin available through today’s general redeem codes. It is a purely visual item with no gameplay effect.

When do today’s BGMI redeem codes expire? All codes are valid through July 9, 2026. However, each code can only be claimed by 10 players, so they may expire earlier if claimed quickly.

Where do I redeem BGMI codes? Go to the official BGMI redeem portal at battlegroundsmobileindia.com/redeem and enter your Character ID along with the code.

Can I use a guest account to redeem BGMI codes? No. Redeem codes cannot be used with guest accounts. You must have a registered BGMI account.

How many codes can I redeem per day? One code per account per day is the limit. You also cannot redeem the same code twice.

India’s First F1 Esports Championship Announced: F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026 Explained

Pranav Nalawade
-
0
India’s First F1 Esports Championship Announced: F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026 Explained

India now has its first official F1 esports championship. Formula 1 and Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited have jointly announced the F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026, a fully sanctioned national sim racing competition built exclusively for Indian players. Registrations open on April 30, 2026. This is the first time Formula 1 has launched a dedicated esports racing program for any single country.

The championship runs on F1 25, the official game of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, with identical circuits, team liveries, and competitive formats as the global series. Players on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox can all participate.

What Is the F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026?

The F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026 is a nationally structured esports competition held under an official agreement granting Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited the rights to host an F1-sanctioned sim racing event in India.

This is not a casual gaming tournament. It is an officially licensed competitive platform designed to connect Indian esports talent directly to the professional motorsport pipeline. The format is tiered and straightforward:

  • Online qualifiers: open entry for all registered participants across India
  • City-based simulator rounds: top performers from online qualifiers advance here
  • National final: held in Mumbai in November 2026

Players can compete on PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox, with no platform restrictions.

How to Register

Registrations open on April 30, 2026 through the MFRL App, available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Full calendar details and the points structure will be confirmed in the coming days.

Who Is Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited?

Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited was founded in 2019 by Managing Director Ameet Gadhoke. The team was the first Indian outfit to win an FIA-accredited international racing championship. Its talent development record covers some of the biggest names to recently reach Formula 1, including Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman, Jehan Daruvala, Kush Maini, Arthur Leclerc, Dino Beganovic, Sebastian Montoya, Rafael Camara, James Wharton, Freddie Slater, Kean Nakamura Berta, Oleksandr Bondarev, and Arvid Lindblad.

“When we founded Mumbai Falcons in 2019, our ambition was to place India firmly on the global motorsport map and build a pipeline for world-class talent,” Gadhoke said. “Partnering with Formula 1 to bring the F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026 to life is yet another significant initiative in that direction.”

Narain Karthikeyan on the Launch

India’s first Formula 1 driver, Narain Karthikeyan, backed the championship at launch. He pointed directly to India’s 78.8 million F1 fans and a generation that grew up on F1 games as the reason this initiative arrives at the right time.

“The time is right to introduce an official, competitive sim racing championship here,” Karthikeyan said. “Mumbai Falcons are the ideal partner, having invested years in building India’s motorsport pipeline. This initiative is unique, globally exclusive, and will set a new benchmark for talent development.”

Why This Is a Big Deal for Indian Esports

Sim racing has been part of Indian esports for years, but without an officially sanctioned, nationally structured pathway. The F1 Sim Racing India Open gives competitive players something the scene has not had before: a credible, F1-licensed esports ladder with a direct link to professional motorsport.

The legal backdrop also matters here. Esports is now officially recognized under India’s Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. That gives events like the F1 Sim Racing India Open an institutional footing that earlier grassroots sim racing competitions did not have. To understand how far India has come on that front, India’s recognition of esports as a multisport event back in 2022 was the turning point that opened the door for structured national competitions like this one.

At the global level, Formula 1 already runs a fully developed esports ecosystem. The F1 Sim Racing World Championship 2026 features nine factory-backed F1 teams, a $750,000 prize pool, and 12 rounds broadcast on F1’s official YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook channels. The India Open now sits within that same ecosystem as a national-level entry point for Indian players looking to climb that ladder.

The announcement also lands at a moment when talks about returning a Formula 1 Grand Prix to India are gaining momentum. A growing domestic competitive sim racing base directly strengthens India’s case in those conversations.

F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026: Full Details at a Glance

DetailInfo
Tournament NameF1 Sim Racing India Open 2026
OrganizerMumbai Falcons Racing Limited + Formula 1
GameF1 25
PlatformsPC, PlayStation 5, Xbox
Registration DateApril 30, 2026
Registration PlatformMFRL App (Play Store + Apple Store)
FormatOnline qualifiers โ†’ City rounds โ†’ National final
National Final LocationMumbai
National Final MonthNovember 2026
India-exclusiveYes, first of its kind globally

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026? It is India’s first officially sanctioned F1 esports championship, organized by Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited under a formal agreement with Formula 1. Players compete on F1 25 through online qualifiers, city-based simulator rounds, and a national final in Mumbai this November.

When do registrations open? April 30, 2026, through the MFRL App on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Which platforms are supported? PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox. All three platforms are eligible for the online qualifier stage.

Is this the first F1 esports championship made exclusively for India? Yes. Formula 1 has never introduced a program of this kind for a single country before. The F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026 is a global first.

Does this connect to F1’s global esports structure? Yes. The championship is designed as a pathway from virtual competition into professional motorsport, linking Indian sim racing talent to the broader F1 global driver development ecosystem. F1’s own Sim Racing World Championship runs alongside this at the international level.

Who is Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited? An Indian motorsport organization founded in 2019, known for being the first Indian team to win an FIA-accredited international racing championship and for developing drivers who have since reached Formula 1. For more on how Indian esports and gaming organizations are growing alongside initiatives like this, TalkEsport’s India esports coverage has the full picture.

1...166167168...2,187Page 167 of 2,187