Google Play has launched Google Play Arena, a national, merit-based gaming championship organized in collaboration with esports company NODWIN Gaming. The initiative aims to build a formal, structured bridge from grassroots participation to professional esports, bringing together India’s premier gaming organisations, open public qualifiers, and cricketing icon MS Dhoni, who is also fielding his own competitive club.
A zero-cost, merit-based structure
Google Play Arena has been created to replicate the structural ecosystem of traditional mainstream sports: established professional franchises, clear scouting ladders and an open stage where individual skill serves as the only barrier to entry.No Entry Fees: The tournament is completely free to enter, with zero participation charges.No pay-to-play mechanics: Success in the competition is dictated entirely by player performance rather than in-game financial spend.Open age eligibility: Any gamer aged 18 and older can sign up to compete in the open online qualifiers.
Six games, six clubs
Departing from standard single-game competitive formats, Google Play Arena uses an integrated club-based structure that spans six distinct game titles across tactical shooters, strategy and sports simulations.
- Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI)
- Free Fire MAX
- EA SPORTS FC Mobile
- Real Cricket
- Chess (Chess.com)
- Moba Legends: 5v5!
A total of six clubs will battle for supremacy across these titles. Five slots are taken by established Indian esports organizations: Team S8UL, GodLike Esports, Orangutan Gaming, Revenant XSpark and Team Apex Gaming.
The sixth franchise marks the formal competitive gaming entry of MS Dhoni, who is introducing his own esports club, Mahi Clutchers.Rather than signing existing professional rosters, Mahi Clutchers will be assembled entirely from the ground up through the open qualification rounds, offering undiscovered grassroots talent a direct shot at competing under Dhoni’s team banner.
Road to the December 2026 Grand Finale
The tournament’s open online qualifier phase allows breakout amateur competitors to earn roster spots on one of the six marquee clubs. Those qualifying teams will advance to battle live at the Grand Finale scheduled for December 2026.