Nagaland: Hornbill Esports C’ship Season 2 kicks off in Kohima with total prize pool of Rs. 10 lakhs

The Hornbill Esports Championship Season 2, a flagship event of the Hornbill Festival 2025, officially began on Monday at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima. Organised by the Department of Youth Resources and Sports (DYRS), Government of Nagaland, in collaboration with the Esports Association of Nagaland (ESAN), the two-day championship brings together top esports athletes and teams from across India.
Special guest advisor to the chief minister of Nagaland, Abu Metha, in his address emphasised the growing importance of esports as a global phenomenon and billion-dollar industry. He noted that esports is a modern-day form of competition played by people of all ages worldwide and cannot be underestimated. Highlighting the government’s commitment to expanding opportunities for youth, he said Nagaland offers one of the highest prize pools in the country and assured participants that their concerns would be addressed despite infrastructural challenges. He added that the Hornbill Festival is not only a celebration but also a platform to build connections and friendships.
This year’s championship features a total prize pool of Rs. 10,00,000 across five major disciplines: BGMI – 16 qualifying teams (Rs 4,50,000 prize pool); Moba Legends 5v5 – 8 qualifying teams (Rs 3,00,000 plus Rs 1,00,000 worth of Diamonds); E-Chess – 11 athletes (Rs 75,000 prize pool); E-Football – 14 athletes (Rs 1,00,000 prize pool); FC 25 – 60 registered players (Rs 75,000 prize pool).
Online qualifiers held from October 16 to November 9 saw remarkable participation, with 512 teams and 240 individual competitors, the highest esports registration numbers recorded in Nagaland to date.
For the first time, the event will conclude with the Esports Music Festival 2025 on December 9, blending digital entertainment with contemporary music culture. The line-up includes Polar Lights and Abdon Mech from Nagaland, Guru Gee from Mizoram, and Zephyrtone from Pune.
Earlier, the inaugural programme began with an invocation by associate pastor of PCRC Kohima, Vikhoto Zao, followed by a welcome address from DYRS Director Kethosituo Sekhose.