BLAST expands esports operations in India with Reliance partnership

BLAST is looking to expand its presence in India following a partnership with RISE, a sports and entertainment company owned by Reliance.

According to the esports tournament organiser, the partnership will see BLAST open a state-of-the-art production studio and new offices in the country.

Moreover, BLAST and RISE will form a new joint venture entity leveraging the technology expertise and local relationships of Jio, one of RISE’s properties. The venture will host BLAST’s existing international IPs and newly-created ones for the Indian market on the JioGames platform.

The new entity will also deliver a broad range of esports services, including tournament management, marketing, production and broadcasting, as well as services to publishers and sponsors.

Reliance Industries Limited is one of India’s largest private-sector companies. Initially specialising in the oil and gas sector, Reliance expanded into sports and lifestyle with the creation of RISE Worldwide Limited in 2010.

Global esports tournament organiser BLAST has teamed up with Reliance to invest in India’s fast-growing esports market. The company also shared that the country will be key to its expansion across Asia.  

“India is one of the most exciting and fastest-growing gaming markets in the world, with a rapidly expanding esports audience and appetite for more competitive gaming experiences. […] This joint venture will not only help grow the Indian esports ecosystem but also create new pathways for local talent to shine on the global stage,” shared Robbie Douek, CEO of BLAST, in a press release.

Founded in 2016, BLAST was primarily known for its Counter-Strike tournament ecosystem, BLAST Premier. Through partnerships with game publishers, the company has expanded into additional titles, such as Rainbow Six: Siege, Fortnite and Rocket League. According to esports data platform Esports Charts, the recent BLAST Open Spring 2025 concluded with over 850,000 peak viewers.