KRAFTON has delayed its much-anticipated BGMI franchise league, citing environmental challenges, while reports suggest low franchise bids played a role. The publisher says the model remains part of its long-term vision.
Reasons Behind BGMI Franchise League Postponement
The highly anticipated franchise league for Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) has been postponed, marking a significant shift in KRAFTON’s esports plans for the region. The league was first announced on June 24th, with the publisher inviting bids for what it described as a “revolutionary esports initiative” intended to elevate BGMI’s competitive ecosystem.
However, according to a report by Inside Sport, KRAFTON concluded that while the idea received strong interest, “the current environment does not fully support the scale and impact originally envisioned.” This statement suggests that logistical or market conditions may not yet be conducive to launching such a large-scale project.
In contrast, letsgrowesports, a reliable source for BGMI leaks, claimed that the postponement was primarily due to franchise bids falling short of expectations. The discrepancy between official messaging and insider reports has sparked debate within the Indian esports community about the true reason for the delay.
Despite the setback, KRAFTON insists that the franchise model remains part of its long-term vision and could be revisited as the competitive landscape matures. “The franchise model remains a part of our long-term vision and may be revisited as the landscape evolves,” the publisher stated, leaving the door open for a potential relaunch.
The decision has been met with disappointment from esports organisations that had prepared to invest in the league. One team owner told Esports Insider that their organisation was “very disappointed” but acknowledged KRAFTON’s commitment to introducing a better model in the future. Another owner likened the league’s potential to the Indian Premier League (IPL), saying, “In the next 3–5 years, it could have become something big. I hope next year, with a good timeline, Krafton reworks on it with input from all brands and orgs.”
While the franchise league is on hold, BGMI’s competitive scene in India continues to thrive. In 2025 alone, KRAFTON has hosted two major tournaments—the India Series (BGIS) and the Pro Series (BMPS)—with a combined prize pool exceeding ₹70,000,000 (~£593,001). The BMPS also produced a historic moment for Indian esports: Team Aryan x TMG qualified for the PUBG Mobile World Cup (PMWC), marking the first time in three years that an Indian team has secured a spot in an international PUBG Mobile event.
The momentum in BGMI esports extends beyond KRAFTON-run events. The iQOO Battleground Series recently concluded in Noida, with Orangutan taking the championship title. Meanwhile, Nodwin Gaming is preparing for the fourth edition of the BGMI Masters Series (BGMS), scheduled to run from August 18th to September 14th in Delhi.
While the postponement of the franchise league is a setback for those eager to see BGMI take the next step toward a fully professionalised league structure, the title’s competitive calendar remains robust. KRAFTON’s ongoing support for large-scale tournaments and the promise of revisiting the franchise model suggest that the long-term future of BGMI esports is still bright—just delayed.
