Google Play and NODWIN Gaming have partnered to launch Google Play Arena, a gaming championship aimed at celebrating India’s mobile gaming community. The multi-phase tournament, which opens for free registrations today, will feature open qualifiers in the coming weeks before culminating in a Grand Finale on December 19–20, 2026.
The championship will bring together established gaming clubs, sporting legend and avid gamer MS Dhoni, and aspiring grassroots players through an open competitive pathway designed to showcase local gaming talent across the country.
Google Play Arena will feature competitions across six gaming titles: Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), Free Fire MAX, Moba Legends: 5v5!, Real Cricket, Chess on Chess.com, and EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile. The tournament will bring players and fans together through competitive gaming, club rivalries and community engagement, reflecting the diversity of India’s gaming landscape.
A key highlight of the championship will be MS Dhoni’s participation with his competitive club, Mahi Clutchers, which will compete for the title of the country’s best gaming club. Built from the ground up through open qualifiers, the team will provide gamers with an opportunity to compete under Dhoni’s banner.
The tournament will also feature prominent gaming clubs Orangutan, GodLike, Apex Gaming, Revenant XSpark and Team S8UL. Their participation will bring established teams and their respective fan communities into the competition.
Google is collaborating with NODWIN Gaming, which will lead the conceptualisation, planning, partnerships and execution of Google Play Arena. NODWIN Gaming will contribute its expertise in community management, tournament operations, event production, campaign management and youth engagement.
The initiative will bring together players, gaming clubs, publishers and gaming enthusiasts through a shared celebration of competitive gaming, supported by a line-up of popular gaming titles and recognisable national sports icons.
Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming, said: “India’s gaming community continues to grow in both scale and diversity, with gaming becoming an increasingly important part of how young audiences connect, compete and engage with the interests they share. Google Play Arena brings that energy together through popular titles, established gaming clubs and the participation of the national icons like MS Dhoni who is a passionate gamer himself. At NODWIN Gaming, we look forward to bringing our experience in building gaming IPs and delivering large-scale competitive gaming experiences to create an event that resonates with players and fans across the country.”
Kanika Kalra, Director, Consumer Apps & Platforms Marketing, Google India, said: “Google Play has long supported India’s journey toward becoming a powerhouse of global app and gaming talent, and with Google Play Arena, we are expanding this commitment. India’s mobile gaming ecosystem continues to undergo exciting growth driven by a deeply passionate and strategic community of players, and our goal with this championship is to celebrate this talent on a national stage. By offering a structured, merit-led pathway from grassroots play to professional recognition, we are thrilled to partner with NODWIN Gaming to bring this celebration of gaming to life for players and fans across the country.”
Leading up to the Grand Finale, the championship will also feature community-focused activities, including special community unlocks, exclusive game offers and opportunities for fans to attend the event in person. Organisers have invited gaming enthusiasts and the wider community to participate in the celebration.
