Director of the Department of Youth Resources and Sports, Kethosituo Sekhose, today announced the successful launch of the Hornbill Esports Championship Season 2, organised by the Department in collaboration with the Esports Association of Nagaland (ESAN). The flagship event under the Hornbill Festival 2025 continues to position Nagaland as an emerging hub for competitive gaming and youth engagement.
He made the announcement during a press conference held on December 3 at the Directorate of Youth Resources and Sports, Kohima.
Sekhose highlighted that the Championship, now in its second edition, has expanded significantly in scale and participation, reflecting the rapid growth of esports both in the region and across the country. The Grand LAN Finals will take place on 8 and 9 December 2025 at IG Stadium, Kohima, showcasing top esports athletes and teams from across India.
This year’s event features a total prize pool of Rs. 10,00,000, distributed across five major esports disciplines:
Game Titles & Participation
BGMI – 16 qualifying teams (1 from Nagaland, 4 from Manipur, 7 from Assam, 1 from Bihar, 1 from Mizoram, 2 from West Bengal)
Prize Pool: Rs. 4,50,000
Mobile Legends 5v5 – 8 qualifying teams (2 from Nagaland, and 1 each from Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Manipur, Kerala, plus 2 from Assam)
Prize Pool: Rs. 3,00,000 + Rs. 1,00,000 worth of Diamonds
Individual Titles
E-Chess – 11 athletes | Prize Pool: Rs. 75,000
E-Football – 14 athletes | Prize Pool: Rs. 1,00,000
FC 25 – 60 registered players | Prize Pool: Rs. 75,000
Online qualifiers were held from October 16 to November 9, 2025, drawing remarkable participation with 512 teams and 240 individual competitors, marking one of the state’s largest esports registrations to date. Sekhose also reflected on last year’s success and expressed optimism for the upcoming edition. He noted that the biggest challenge previously had been poor connectivity, but with improved network performance this year, the event is expected to run smoothly.
He further shared that logistical issues prevented the organisers from bringing in major sponsors this year, but expressed hope that next year’s edition will be much larger. He emphasized that the aim of the Championship is to provide a platform for youths passionate about esports to express themselves, and thanked the chief minister of Nagaland for supporting the continuation of the event.
Sekhose expressed hope that esports could become a field in which Nagaland achieves excellence, noting that Nagaland and Mizoram are among the fastest-growing states engaging in online gaming. He added that Nagas are already contributing as game developers and graphic designers in some of India’s leading companies. He also pointed out that esports is a billion-dollar industry that will only continue to grow, and urged that the state should not miss the opportunity to be part of this expanding sector.
For the first time, the event will be followed by the Esports Music Festival 2025, which will take place after the closing ceremony on December 9. This curated event aims to blend digital entertainment with contemporary music, offering a memorable experience for youth and festival-goers.
Performing artists include: Polar Lights (Nagaland); Abdon Mech (Nagaland); Guru Gee (Mizoram); and Zephyrtone (Pune).
He noted that the Hornbill Esports Championship is becoming an important milestone in the state’s sports sector, reflecting the Government’s commitment to recognising and nurturing youth talent. The Department has invited all esports enthusiasts, supporters and festival visitors to witness the excitement of the Championship and be part of this growing movement.
The opening programme will commence on December 8 at 9:00 a.m. at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima.