Gaming
VCSA 2026 Split 1 registrations close 4 March
Open qualifiers 7-11 March, Youtube broadcast starts 16 March with 8 teams in Split 1.
MUMBAI: Valorant Challengers South Asia (VCSA) 2026 is loading up for battle because when South Asian squads gear up, the headshots are about to rain. Nodwin Gaming, in partnership with Riot Games, has kicked off the broadcast phase of VCSA 2026, with Split 1 registrations open until 4 March 2026. The season’s official streams will hit Nodwin Gaming & Valorant Esports South Asia Youtube channels, spotlighting top regional talent chasing the VCT Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) spot.
The refined format features Open Qualifiers (7–11 March), Split 1 Playoffs (8–9 April), two Splits with Promotion & Relegation, and Grand Finals. Split 1 includes 5 teams from qualifiers plus 3 direct invites from VCSA 2025 (top 3), in a single round-robin Bo3 format over 28 matches across 14 days. Top 6 advance to Split 2, bottom 2 face relegation.
Eligibility, Immortal 1 plus rank (V25 Act 6), teams from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Maldives. Game Changers South Asia runs parallel with open qualifiers and Split 2 winner advancing to Pacific Stage.
Building on 2025’s record 12 million views and 50,000 plus peak concurrent viewers where Velocity Gaming clinched VCT Ascension Pacific via a 3–1 Grand Final over S8ul the 2026 season promises fiercer competition.
Nodwin Gaming co-founder & CEO Gautam Virk said, “As we head into the broadcast phase of VCSA 2026, the excitement across the ecosystem is palpable. This circuit represents the pinnacle of competitive Valorant in South Asia.”
Riot Games head of Esports India and South Asia Sukamal Pegu added, “Competing in VCSA continues to be one of the most defining experiences for teams in South Asia.”
In a region hungry for global glory, VCSA 2026 isn’t just a tournament, it’s the launchpad where local legends ace their way to the big leagues.
Gaming
Samsung’s #PlayGalaxy Cup 5.0 crowns Kaashvi Warriors
Galaxy S26-powered esports event reaches 350 million plus users with 48 top creators.
MUMBAI: Samsung just powered up India’s gaming arena because when Galaxy S26 meets creator chaos, even the controllers get excited. India’s largest consumer electronics brand, Samsung, hosted the fifth edition of #PlayGalaxy Cup, powered by the all-new Galaxy S26 series, bringing together 48 top gaming creators for a high-stakes tournament. Kaashvi Warriors emerged as champions after approximately four and a half hours of intense head-to-head matchups, livestreamed on Samsung India’s official YouTube channel and select Exclusive Stores nationwide, reaching over 350 million users.
The event featured leading talents from Opraahfx, including TechnoGamerz, MythPat, GamerFleet, Desi Gamers, Gautami Abhyudaya, Sooneeta, and Sourav Joshi, delivering massive engagement and competitive fire.
The Galaxy S26 series stole the show with its enhanced performance, immersive display technology, reduced thickness, and lighter weight proving its mettle in sustained peak gameplay under tournament pressure.
Samsung Mobile,vice president and head of product marketing & e-commerce Aditya Babbar said, “At Samsung, we’re proud to empower India’s vibrant esports community with Galaxy devices designed for high-performance gaming. #PlayGalaxy Cup has now entered its fifth edition… we’ve taken it to the next level with even bigger battles and exclusive experiences.”
Over five seasons, #PlayGalaxy Cup has grown from tournament to creator-community powerhouse, cementing Samsung’s bond with Gen Z and millennial gamers fuelling India’s esports boom.
In a scene where mobile gaming is exploding, Samsung’s latest showcase wasn’t just a win for Kaashvi Warriors,it’s a statement that the right device can turn any matchup into a multi-million-view spectacle.
