Krafton Expands College Campus Tour to 128 Institutions, Driving Grassroots Esports in India

Image credit: Krafton

Krafton India has announced the return of its College Campus Tour for a second year, set to kick off soon.

The initiative will take place in 128 colleges across Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 cities, featuring BGMI and Real Cricket tournaments as part of the college festivals.

The first Campus Tour attracted over 50,000 students, showcasing the huge interest in organised competitive platforms at colleges. What began as a small pilot has now grown into a nationwide program, turning campuses into key launchpads for budding esports talent.

India’s esports industry itself is undergoing a major transformation. Once fragmented, the competitive scene is now becoming a mainstream digital ecosystem that creates opportunities for players, organisers, creators, and brands. Industry research suggests that the Indian esports market will surpass ₹1,100 crore in revenue by 2025, nearly quadrupling in just a few years.

Rising participation, sponsorship deals, broadcasting opportunities, and new monetisation models are driving this growth.

At the grassroots level, active players are expected to reach 1.5 million, with teams crossing 250,000.

The Campus Tour is designed to provide more than just participation. Krafton India has integrated professionally structured tournaments into college fests, working with experienced organisers to ensure consistency and credibility. Prize pools, standardised formats, and oversight from Krafton add legitimacy to the competition.

Importantly, the programme introduces progression pathways, where top-performing student teams advance from campus-level tournaments to zonal stages. The best 16 teams then earn invitations to higher-level qualifiers within Krafton’s broader esports ecosystem.

Speaking about the initiative, Karan Pathak, Associate Director – Esports at Krafton India, said:

“India’s Esports growth will be defined by how early we create access and structure for young talent. College campuses are where aspiration, competition, and community intersect. Through the Campus Tour, our focus is on building credible pathways – not just for participation, but for progression. By integrating Esports into campus ecosystems at scale, we’re helping shape the foundation of India’s next generation of competitive players.”