Built in Chennai, Watched by the World — CEGC reaches 90,000 peak concurrent viewers across YouTube, Twitch, and official watch parties during the CS2 Qualifier
Chennai, India – October 2025: The Chennai Esports Global Championship (CEGC) — an official initiative by the Government of Tamil Nadu through the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) and executed by Skyesports — has become India’s #1 PC esports IP by viewership, recording a peak concurrent viewership (CCV) of 90,000 across YouTube, Twitch, and official watch parties.
This milestone was achieved during the CEGC – Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) Qualifiers, which saw top teams from around the world compete for two coveted slots in the Main Event in Chennai. The matches captivated audiences across multiple time zones, showcasing the global resonance of an esports IP conceptualized and built entirely in India. The qualifier’s production quality, local broadcast expertise, and global reach set a new benchmark for competitive PC esports originating from the region.
The qualifier saw intense competition between some of the world’s most respected Counter-Strike 2 teams, including BC.Game, featuring global icon Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev, alongside powerhouse rosters such as BIG and FUT Esports. The inclusion of internationally acclaimed players drew global attention, with fans tuning in across regions to witness high-calibre play — helping propel the broadcast to its peak viewership milestone.
BIG, Mousquetaires, True Thunder, and Team Nemesis Asia, ultimately came on top in the qualifiers and advanced to the Main Event. A separate Indian Qualifier is currently underway, where top domestic teams are competing for the remaining Main Event spots.
The CEGC – Counter-Strike 2 Main Event will take place from November 7 to 9, 2025, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai, bringing together elite teams from India, Southeast Asia, and Europe to compete for a USD 50,000 prize pool. Following that, the CEGC – Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) tournament will be held from November 14 to 16, featuring India’s leading mobile esports teams competing for a share of the ₹50,00,000 prize pool.
“The Chennai Esports Global Championship is proof that India can build world-class esports IPs from the ground up,” said Shiva Nandy, Founder and CEO of Skyesports. “The success of the CEGC CS2 Qualifiers and its record-breaking viewership show that esports created in Chennai can engage global audiences and compete with the best international tournaments. With SDAT’s vision and support, we’re positioning Tamil Nadu as the bridge that connects Indian talent and creativity to the world.”
CEGC stands as India’s first state-backed international esports championship, blending government vision with private-sector execution to build sustainable esports growth. The record 90,000 CCV — achieved before even reaching the Main Event — highlights the event’s massive anticipation and reaffirms Chennai’s emergence as a global esports destination.
According to industry estimates, the global esports market reached USD 2.08 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 10.06 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 17.05% (IMARC Group). The Asia-Pacific region commands over 30% of that market, with India’s 453 million gamers expected to grow to 730 million by 2028. The record-breaking viewership of CEGC signals the country’s readiness to build large-scale, exportable digital sports IPs rooted in local ecosystems.