India Gaming Show 2026 & CII Summit FX Inaugurated at Chennai Trade Centre Hon’ble Shri Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy Ji Graces the Grand Opening as Chief Guest
Chennai, Tamil Nadu : The India Gaming Show (IGS) 2026, India’s premier international exhibition and conference dedicated to the Video Games and Esports ecosystem, was officially inaugurated today at the Chennai Trade Centre, alongside the CII Summit FX, in a high-energy opening ceremony that brought together key leaders from government, industry, academia, and the creative technology ecosystem.
The 2026 edition was inaugurated in the esteemed presence of the Hon’ble Chief Guest, Shri Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy Ji, Hon’ble Minister for Transport, Youth and Sports, Government of Andhra Pradesh, along with distinguished dignitaries including Mr. Thiagarajan, Chairman, CII Trade Fair and Managing Director, Blue Star Ltd; Mr. Rajan Navani, President, Indian Digital Gaming Society (IDGS); Mr. Sean, Vice President, IDGS and CEO, KRAFTON India; and Mr. Ninad Raikar, COO, Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT).
The inauguration marked the beginning of a three-day mega showcase scheduled from 17th to 19th April 2026, transforming Chennai into a vibrant hub of gaming, esports, animation, VFX, XR, immersive technologies, AI-driven creative tools, education, startups, and digital storytelling.
A National Platform for the Future of Creativity
Speaking at the inauguration, leaders highlighted that India Gaming Show 2026 is not merely an event, but a national platform accelerating India’s ambition to become a global leader in the AVGC-XR sector. Under the powerful theme, “Shaping the Emerging World of Creativity,” IGS 2026 aims to strengthen India’s position at the intersection of creativity and technology.
Over the next three days, IGS 2026 will host high-impact conferences, exhibitions, esports showcases, creator engagements, B2B networking, startup platforms, skilling discussions, and industry collaborations—bringing together the full value chain of India’s digital entertainment ecosystem.
Hon’ble Minister Highlights Esports as a Youth Opportunity
Addressing the gathering, Shri Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy Ji emphasised that gaming and esports have evolved far beyond entertainment and are emerging as significant drivers of youth engagement, digital innovation, and economic opportunity. He noted that India has the scale, talent, and digital infrastructure to become a global leader in interactive entertainment and that states like Andhra Pradesh are keen to explore partnerships in esports training, gaming education, and innovation ecosystems.
He further underlined the importance of ensuring responsible gaming and growth of the sector, supported by awareness, structured platforms, and positive engagement for youth.
CII and IDGS Reinforce India’s Creative Economy Vision
Mr. Thiagarajan, Chairman, CII Trade Fair and MD, Blue Star Ltd, highlighted the importance of building a robust ecosystem that integrates industry, startups, academia, and policy leadership, enabling India to emerge as a globally competitive creative powerhouse.
Mr. Rajan Navani, President, IDGS, stated that the India Gaming Show has evolved into a national movement that brings together government, industry, startups, and young talent. As India becomes one of the fastest-growing gaming markets globally, our next milestone is to build globally competitive studios, original intellectual property, and world-class esports talent. Platforms like IGS and the CII Summit FX are critical to shaping India’s leadership in the global AVGC-XR economy
Mr. Sean Sohn, Vice President, IDGS and CEO, KRAFTON India, stated that gaming is now a global engine of culture, community, careers, and intellectual property creation. He emphasized that platforms like IGS and CII Summit FX are critical in shaping the future of India’s creative industries and ensuring India becomes not only a consumer market but a global creator of original content and world-class IP.
IICT Positioned as India’s National Centre of Excellence for AVGC-XR
A key highlight of the inauguration was the strong focus on the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), envisioned as India’s National Centre of Excellence for AVGC-XR, supported by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and CII.
Mr. Ninad Raikar, COO, IICT, reiterated IICT’s mission to drive the ecosystem through its three foundational pillars—Academics, Innovation, and Policy Advocacy—and to bridge the gap between imagination and industry-ready expertise.
The event also witnessed major announcements and upcoming MoU exchanges between CII, IDGS, and IICT, aimed at strengthening skilling pathways, innovation frameworks, and industry collaboration.
India Gaming Show: A Proven National Movement Since 2017
Launched in 2017, the India Gaming Show (IGS) has grown into a comprehensive platform covering key segments such as:
• Game Development & Publishing
• Devices & Hardware
• Esports & Competitive Gaming
• Fantasy Sports
• Gamification and Emerging Technologies
• Startups and Investment
• Education, Skilling, and Career Pathways
Having previously been hosted in New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Pune, the 2026 edition in Chennai marks a significant milestone as the event expands its national footprint and strengthens South India’s position as a major hub for AVGC-XR growth.
A Declaration of India’s Global Creative Leadership
IGS 2026 and CII Summit FX together stand as a powerful declaration that India is ready to lead the world in gaming, immersive technology, VFX, and next-generation creative experiences. The summit aims to drive meaningful outcomes through collaborations, investments, talent development, and policy alignment—fueling India’s vision of becoming a global hub for original storytelling and interactive entertainment.
Quote from the Organisers
“India Gaming Show 2026 is not a traditional conference—it is India’s creative future gathering in one room. With the participation of government, industry, startups, educators, creators, and students, this platform represents a national movement to build global-scale intellectual property, world-class talent, and sustainable growth in the AVGC-XR sector.”
— Indian Digital Gaming Society (IDGS)
Event Details
Event: India Gaming Show 2026 & CII Summit FX
Dates: 17–19 April 2026
Venue: Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Theme: Shaping the Emerging World of Creativity
