Alan Walker on stage at the BGMI International Cup 2026 opening ceremony
The BGMI International Cup (BMIC) 2026 got underway in Mumbai on Friday, and South Korea wasted little time taking charge. Nongshim RedForce, the Korea Esports League (KEL) 2026 champions, ended Day 1 on top with 72 points, one clear of compatriots Dplus KIA. Defending champions Kiwoom DRX completed a Korean top three on 56. Outrage Esports and K9 Esports won a match each, taking two of the day’s six Chicken Dinners, and Outrage sit fourth on 47 points as the best-placed Indian team. His track ‘Hero’ has played in the BGMI lobby since the game’s ‘Be A Hero’ campaign in 2024, and the DJ performed it live for players who know it as their pre-match soundtrack. The KEL 2026 runners-up won the opener on Rondo and were the only team with two Chicken Dinners. But both sides collected 42 finish points, and Nongshim’s stronger placements gave them the one-point edge. BMSD 2026 champions iQOO SouL had a slow start in 13th with 24 points, while KINOTROPE gaming lead Japan’s challenge in seventh. Six matches each are lined up for October 31 and November 1, streamed live on the KRAFTON India Esports YouTube channel. Outrage sit 25 points behind Nongshim, and with twelve matches to play, Korea’s hold on the top three is not locked in yet.
It is a serious arena of skill, discipline and career opportunity for India’s tech-savvy youth,” he said. Karan Pathak, Associate Director Esports at KRAFTON India, said the next two days in Mumbai “will be special. India still had moments to cheer at the Dome, SVP Indoor Stadium (NSCI). Ashish Shelar, President of the Esports Games Federation (ESGF) India, delivered the keynote. “Esports is no longer just gaming. He added that BMIC was proof India is ready for the global stage. Yoo Dongwan, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Mumbai, was also present. Dplus KIA had the better day on paper. Behind Outrage, Blitz Epigrotive Gaming (sixth), K9 Esports (eighth) and iQOO 8Bit (ninth) kept India in touch. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.
Before the first drop, Alan Walker headlined the opening ceremony.