Garena brings Free Fire Max esports back to India after a three-year hiatus with the TEZ India Cup, boasting a ₹1 crore prize pool. Learn about the roadmap, registration details, and the game’s ban history.
After a three-year absence, Free Fire esports is officially returning to India; this time through the enhanced Free Fire Max version of the popular battle royale game. Singapore-based publisher Garena has announced the TEZ Free Fire Max India Cup (TEZ FFMIC), reigniting competitive play in one of the franchise’s largest markets.
The announcement marks a major comeback following India’s 2022 ban on the original Free Fire, which was removed from app stores alongside over 50 other apps due to national security concerns. While the original Free Fire remains banned in the country, Free Fire Max, known for its upgraded visuals and smoother gameplay, is still accessible and will now be the platform for India’s official esports revival.
Garena revealed the news via social media with the bold statement:
“₹1 crore prize pool. You read that right. The stage is set, the stakes are higher than ever. Registrations start 7th July for TEZ FFMIC!”
Tournament Roadmap and Structure
The TEZ Free Fire Max India Cup is offering a massive ₹1 crore (~£85,000) prize pool and will unfold over several stages throughout the coming months. Here’s the full event roadmap:
- Registrations Begin: July 7th, 2025
- In-Game Qualifiers: July 13th, 2025
- Online Qualifiers: July 26th – August 3rd, 2025
- League Stage: August 22nd – September 14th, 2025
- Grand Finals: September 27th – 28th, 2025
To be eligible, all players must be at least Level 40 and have reached Diamond 1 rank in Free Fire Max. The top 48 teams from the in-game qualifiers will advance to the online stage, where each team can play up to 12 matches. From there, the top 8 teams will progress to the Grand Finals to battle for a share of the lucrative prize pool.
Background: Why Was Free Fire Banned?
Free Fire, originally launched in 2017, quickly became a global sensation. In 2021, it was the most downloaded mobile game worldwide, amassing over 218 million downloads, according to Sensor Tower. However, in 2022, the Indian government banned the game due to its connections with Chinese firms and potential data privacy risks.
Despite speculation about a possible relaunch under the name “Free Fire India”, no official date has been confirmed. Recent reports suggest that Garena is relocating its servers to India, with support from Yotta Data Services in Navi Mumbai, which may pave the way for a broader return of the franchise.
A New Chapter for Indian Esports
The return of Free Fire Max esports represents a renewed investment in the Indian gaming community. By adapting to regulatory challenges and using its Max version as a competitive platform, Garena is signaling its intent to re-establish India as a core esports market.
With a massive prize pool, a structured competitive roadmap, and rising excitement among fans, the TEZ FFMIC could be the beginning of a new era for mobile esports in India.
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