Esports Makes Its Debut at Khelo India Youth Games 2025

The Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2025 will feature Esports for the first time as a demonstration sport. The much-anticipated 7th edition of the Games will take place from May 4 to 15 across five cities in Bihar.

Organized annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, KIYG is a flagship national event aimed at identifying and nurturing young sporting talent (under 17 and under 21) across the country.

With Esports joining the lineup, this year’s edition will showcase a total of 28 sports — 27 of them as competitive events, and Esports making its debut as the sole demonstration sport. 

A demonstration sport means it will be included in a larger event to showcase it (more like a trial run), but it doesn't count toward the official medal tally.

The main events include popular disciplines like athletics, archery, and badminton, along with beloved Indian games such as kabaddi, kho-kho, and mallakhamb.

Esports has been steadily gaining recognition at major international competitions. It was first introduced as a demonstration sport at the 2018 Asian Games, and by 2022 in Hangzhou, it had become an official medal event. Bringing it into KIYG is seen as a timely move, especially with the Olympics entering the scene with the first-ever Esports Olympic Games scheduled for 2027 in Saudi Arabia.

According to the official Khelo India website, adding Esports is all about making the event more inclusive and relevant. Organizers say it’s a way to connect with younger generations who are just as passionate about competitive gaming as they are about traditional sports.

Preparations on the ground are well underway. Dr. B. Rajendra, Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Sports and General Administration, has been visiting host cities to check on progress. Officials are working hard to ensure all venues are up to national standards and ready in time for the opening ceremony.

The Games are expected to bring together over 10,000 participants, including athletes, coaches, technical teams, and volunteers from all over the country.

The competitions will be spread out across Patna, Rajgir (Nalanda), Gaya, Bhagalpur, and Begusarai, with a few specialized events like shooting, gymnastics, and track cycling scheduled to take place in New Delhi due to facility requirements.

While the official list of Esports titles for the event is yet to be confirmed, many believe that popular games like Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) are likely to be included. If organizers decide to broaden the lineup, India-made title Indus Battle Royale or the newly relaunched Free Fire Max (in the esports scene I mean)—especially given Bihar’s MoU with Garena—could also make the cut.

It will be interesting to see whether Bihar brings in established Esports organizers such as Skyesports, The Esports Club, or Krafton India to co-host or support the event. For now, the details remain under wraps, but more information is expected to be announced as the event draws closer.