District by Zomato has been named the official ticketing partner for the India Rising: Road to EWC Gaming Festival, reinforcing its position in India’s expanding live entertainment and esports landscape.
Under the agreement, District will exclusively handle ticketing for the festival, which is set to take place on July 4, 2026, at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. Organised by JioBLAST in partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), the event is designed to bring together esports competition, gaming culture, creator communities and live entertainment under a single platform.
The partnership marks another step in District by Zomato’s growing involvement in experiential entertainment, as the platform continues to expand beyond traditional event categories into emerging sectors such as gaming and esports.
India Rising: Road to EWC forms part of a broader initiative to strengthen India’s connection to the global Esports World Cup ecosystem. Positioned as a festival rather than a standalone tournament, the event aims to provide a stage for players, creators and fans while showcasing the growing commercial and cultural influence of gaming in the country.
Speaking on the partnership, Charlie Cowdrey, CEO, JioBLAST, said, “India Rising: Road to EWC is being built as much more than a tournament. Our vision is to create a festival where gaming, esports, creators, music and community come together in one place. Whether you’re coming to support a player, meet your favourite creators, watch esports competitions, experience live music or simply celebrate gaming culture, it has something for every fan. Partnering with District by Zomato helps us make that experience accessible to gaming audiences across the country.”
The festival programme will feature VALORANT and MOBA Legends: 5v5! showmatches, creator showcases, cosplay competitions, interactive gaming zones and live entertainment experiences. Leading Indian gaming personalities, including Mortal, JokerKiHaveli, ZGOD and Mizo, are expected to participate, offering fans opportunities for direct engagement.
A key competitive highlight will be the India Rising: Road to EWC Chess LAN Finals, where Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi and Dutch Grandmaster Benjamin Bok will battle for qualification to the Esports World Cup 2026 Chess tournament in Paris.
As esports organisations increasingly invest in live fan experiences and community-driven events, the collaboration between District by Zomato, JioBLAST and the EWCF underscores the growing convergence of gaming, entertainment and event commerce in one of the world’s fastest-growing gaming markets.
