Krafton India Announces PUBG India Cup 2026 (PIC 2026) with ₹25 Lakh Prize Pool

Krafton India has officially announced the PUBG India Cup 2026 (PIC2026), a dedicated open tournament for PUBG: Battlegrounds on PC. This marks a major step toward building a structured competitive scene for the PC version of the game in India.

Tournament Overview

The event carries a total prize pool of ₹25,00,000 (₹25 lakhs). It is designed as an open-for-all competition.

According to promotional materials and announcements shared, the format is structured as follows:

• Open Qualifiers: 11 November 2026

• League Stage: 12–22 November 2026

• Last Chance: 26 November 2026

• Grand Finals: 28–29 November 2026

The Grand Finals will feature 16 squads competing for the championship title. The event will be streamed live on the Krafton India Esports channel.

Registrations for the tournament are expected to close around 4 November 2026. Sign up at pubgesports.in. You should be 18 or older and have a squad of four members plus one substitute.

Broader Context: India as Its Own PUBG PC Region

The PIC 2026 announcement comes alongside significant longer-term plans. Reports and statements indicate that India will compete as its own standalone PUBG PC region starting in 2027.

The 2027 roadmap is expected to include four competitive cycles throughout the year, with each cycle offering an international slot. Of these four cycles, two are anticipated to feature LAN events.

This separation means Indian teams will no longer primarily compete under a broader “Rest of APAC” structure for these events. In parallel, Krafton has also announced the PUBG APAC Challenge 2026 (PAC) with a $20,000 prize pool. That event will feature three regional qualifier pathways covering Indonesia, the Philippines, and the Rest of APAC.

Significance for Indian PUBG PC Esports

The PUBG India Cup represents Krafton’s push to revive and professionalize the PUBG PC competitive scene in India. While Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) has dominated the local esports landscape with large prize pools and established circuits, the PC version has historically had a more limited organized ecosystem.

By creating a dedicated India circuit with open qualifiers, a multi-stage format, and a clear prize pool, Krafton is laying the groundwork for greater team investment, talent development, and international opportunities. The 2027 plans for independent region status and regular international slots further signal long-term commitment.

Key Takeaways

• Prize Pool: ₹25,00,000

• Open Qualifiers: 11 Nov 2026

• League: 12–22 Nov 2026

• Last Chance: 26 Nov 2026

• Grand Finals: 28–29 Nov 2026 (16 squads)

• Stream: Krafton India Esports

• India set to become an independent PUBG PC region in 2027 with four cycles and international slots

This announcement is one of the clearest signals yet that Krafton intends to grow the PC side of PUBG esports in India alongside its established mobile presence.