Cover-Credits:
AFK Gaming
Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) is by far the most iconic and influential esports title in Indian esports history. Since its release in July 2021, the esports community in India has been treated to a riveting esports scene, with countless professional players competing in memorable tournaments across the country. Unfortunately, the suspension of BGMI in the country has left fans longing for Tier 1 tournaments as they have now become a thing of the past. From the adrenaline-fueled showdowns of the BGMI Pro Series to the nail-biting finishes of the BGMI Masters Series, there have been numerous tournaments that have captivated the hearts of millions of fans.
Here we take a look back at the Top 5 BGMI tournaments that we miss, reflecting on epic moments, the rivalries, and the sheer excitement that made them so unforgettable.
5. LOCO War of Glory
LOCO War of Glory was one of the first major BGMI tournaments after the game’s launch. The tournament was split into two stages - League Stage and Grand Finals. The combined prize pool of both stages was a whopping ₹55,00,000 INR.
In the League Stage, 27 teams were invited and split into three groups, each competing for three grueling weeks to secure a spot in the Grand Finals. To the surprise of many fans, popular teams like Team SouL, Team IND, and Hydra Official failed to qualify, leaving their supporters disappointed.
The Grand Finals spanned seven days and featured 35 matches played on both the Erangel and Miramar maps. GodLike Esports started off slow and found itself in seventh place after Day 5. But it made an incredible comeback on Day 6, displaying unmatched skill and tenacity that propelled it to the top of the leaderboard. In contrast, Team iNSANE Esports had a strong start and held the first place after Day 5, but faltered in the last two days due to its inconsistency.
Ultimately, Godlike Esports secured the championship title, amassing a total of 395 points and 199 finish points, and received a substantial cash prize of ₹20,00,000 for their victory. Team iNSANE Esports came in second place, followed by Skylightz Gaming in third place.
4. Nodwin x Loco All-Stars Invitational
Nodwin x Loco All Stars Invitational was the first-ever BGMI LAN event since the launch of the game. Owning it to being the first-ever BGMI LAN event, the tournament ranks fourth on the list as fans still reminisce about this glamorous tournament. NODWIN Gaming and Loco joined to present this tournament, featuring a massive prize pool of ₹50,00,000.
TSM emerged as the table-toppers on the first day of the tournament, earning a whopping 67 points in their five matches with 37 finishes, leaving the competition far behind. Team XO came in second with 60 points, followed by Revenant Esports. Skylightz Gaming, who had started the day with a chicken dinner, came in third place with 50 points.
The second day saw the competition heat up, with 10 matches coming to an end. Skylightz Gaming showed its mettle and emerged as the table toppers with an impressive 125 points, leaving Team XO in second place. TSM, who had dominated the previous day, dropped two places to third position with 111 points.
On the third and final day, it was a test of skill and strategy as the teams battled it out for the championship title. TSM proved to be unbeatable, dominating throughout the event and earning an impressive 199 points in 15 matches, leading to it winning the tournament. Hyderabad Hydras put up an amazing performance and secured the runner-up position with 166 points, including 78 finishes. Revenant and Team XO accumulated 163 points each and finished in third and fourth places respectively.
Notably, the fan favorite team, GodLike Esports, had a disastrous tournament, with only 64 points in their 15 matches.
3. Battlegrounds Mobile India Series 2021 (BGIS 2021)
Battlegrounds Mobile India Series 2021 was the first official tournament from the BGMI esports circuit (excluding show matches), placing it third on our list. The tournament started from the grassroot level as the first round of the tournament was the in-game qualifiers stage, and the winners of each stage advanced to the next stage. The tournament was organized by KRAFTON and sponsored by iQOO, featuring a total prize pool of ₹1,00,00,000 INR.
On the first day of the Grand Finals, GodLike Esports set the bar high, dominating the competition with an impressive 89 points, leaving the second-ranked Hyderabad Hydras in the dust with 66 points. Skylightz Gaming also made their presence known, trailing just one point behind Hyderabad Hydras with 65 points.
But on the second day, the competition really heated up. Teams XO, TSM, and Reckoning Esports all brought their A-game, with Team XO making a huge leap from 60 points on the first day to a jaw-dropping 193 points on the second day, leading the points table. TSM also showed significant improvement, jumping from 61 to 127 points, earning itself second place. Reckoning Esports also impressed with a stellar performance, jumping from 44 to 122 points and securing third place.
On the third day, Team XO and TSM continued to maintain their impressive consistency, with Team XO leading the table with 224 points and TSM following closely with 212 points. Skylightz Gaming continued to perform well, jumping from fourth to third place with 201 points.
But it was the final day of the tournament that really left fans on the edge of their seats. Skylightz Gaming delivered an incredible performance, claiming the top spot with a whopping 273 points and three Winner Winner Chicken Dinners. TSM also showed its strength, earning second place with 270 points and four Winner Winner Chicken Dinners. While Team XO maintained its consistency, it finished in third place with 244 points and two Winner Winner Chicken Dinners, but it was Skylightz Gaming who emerged as the ultimate champion of the Battlegrounds Mobile India Series 2021.
2. Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series - Season 1 (BMPS S1)
Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series - Season 1 was highly anticipated as it was one of the first major official tournaments of 2022 after the Battlegrounds Mobile India Series 2021, which concluded in January 2022. The tournament was sponsored by Loco and iQOO, featuring a massive prize pool of ₹2,00,00,000.
The Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series - Season 1 will forever be remembered as the epic revival of Team SouL, the fan favorite team, in the competitive world of BGMI esports, that had been struggling to regain its former glory. Its remarkable performance during the tournament was nothing short of breathtaking and captivating, winning not only the tournament but the hearts of its fans.
On the first day of the tournament, Team SouL took the lead and dominated the battlefield, winning two out of three matches. With a staggering 81 points, it took the top position on the leaderboard. OR Esports, although not winning any matches, secured a respectable 71 points, ranking second on the leaderboard. Enigma Gaming followed closely behind with 66 points.
Undeterred by its competitors, Team SouL maintained its consistency and top position on the second day of the tournament, accumulating a total of 161 points. Global Esports showed a remarkable improvement, jumping from fourth position on the first day to second position on the second day with 128 points. Enigma Gaming held onto its third position with 119 points.
The third day of the tournament saw Team SouL and Global Esports once again displaying incredible performances. Team SouL maintained its lead on the points table, accumulating 254 points with a total of four Winner Winner Chicken Dinners. Global Esports followed closely behind with 183 points. However, it was Nigma Galaxy that surprised everyone with an incredible boost in performance. Winning two matches in a single day, it jumped from the 11th position with 78 points after the second day to the third position on the leaderboard with 169 points.
As the tournament entered its final day, the excitement and tension were intense. Team SouL maintained its consistency, emerging as the champion of the tournament. OR Esports and Enigma Gaming stepped up their performances, securing second and third place with 250 and 228 points, respectively. Notably, Team SouL crushed the competition with its lead of 85 points followed by the runner-up OR Esports.
1. Battlegrounds Mobile India Masters Series (BGMS)
Battlegrounds Mobile India Masters Series made its debut as the first-ever official BGMI LAN event. It was organized by NODWIN Gaming in collaboration with Star Sports, with a prize pool of ₹1,50,00,000 INR. The tournament marked a historic moment for Indian esports as it was broadcasted live on television, so we had to put it in first place on the list. Its televised coverage also brought the tournament to an enormous viewership, cementing its position as a significant event in the Indian esports industry.
On the first day of the tournament, GodLike Esports emerged as the clear dominator, leading the points table with a Winner Winner Chicken Dinner and 30 finishes, granting it 68 points. Global Esports followed in second place with 57 points, with Orangutan Gaming hot on its heels with 48 points.
The second day brought an impressive turnaround for Global Esports, who took the lead with 112 points and 62 finishes. GodLike Esports trailed closely behind with 94 points and 43 finishes. Team SouL stepped up its game to secure the same number of points as GodLike Esports - 94 with 49 finishes.
Team SouL amped it up on the third day of the tournament and emerged as the table toppers after the conclusion of the day. Team SouL accumulated 139 points with 73 finishes. Godlike Esports and Global Esports maintained their consistency to secure second and third positions after the conclusion of the day with 131 and 130 points, respectively.
GodLike Esports regained its top position after the conclusion of the fourth day with 178 points and 95 finishes. Orangutan Gaming showed impressive improvement, ranking second on the leaderboard with 166 points and 74 finishes. However, Team SouL fell to third place with 153 points and 84 finishes.
Global Esports showed a commendable performance on the fifth and the last day of the tournament. The team accumulated 201 points with 100 finishes and emerged as the champion of the tournament. GodLike Esports struggled a little on the last day but managed to secure the second position with 197 points with a whopping 103 finishes. Orangutan Gaming finished at the third position securing 192 points with 79 finishes.
