KONAMI Targets Indian Gamers with Celebrity eFootball Campaign

KONAMI Digital Entertainment has launched a three-month eFootball campaign in India featuring cricket star KL Rahul, football legend Sunil Chhetri, emerging cricketer Nitish Kumar Reddy, actor Ahan Shetty, and leading content creators. The digital festival aims to merge virtual gaming with India's sports passion through tournaments and celebrity engagement.

The campaign, running from August through October 2025, features exclusive online tournaments and culminates with a grand finale event: an exclusive meet-and-greet with the celebrity ambassadors in Mumbai this December.

KONAMI will host two flagship online tournaments, the Independence Day Cup and the Diwali Cup, supported by digital challenges and community engagement through exclusive content drops. These tournaments serve as the competitive core of the initiative, featuring exciting formats and offering cash prizes and exclusive rewards to participants.

All tournament details, including registration information, rules, and schedules, will be managed through the official eFootball India Discord server, which serves as the central hub for the entire community. While specific prize pool amounts have not yet been announced, KONAMI has confirmed that the grand prize for top performers is a VIP ticket to the exclusive celebrity meet-and-greet in Mumbai.

This prize structure represents a strategic move by KONAMI to bridge the gap between digital fandom and tangible, real-world interactions with sports and entertainment heroes. The campaign will also feature a special surprise from award-winning visual artist Santanu Hazarika for Independence Day.

According to a release, India represents a critical market for KONAMI with the country's esports audience estimated at nearly 200 million users and growing rapidly.

"India continues to be one of the most exciting gaming communities for us globally, and this campaign is our way of celebrating and channeling that energy through festivals, football, and fandom," said Junichi Taya, eFootball General Producer at KONAMI. "Our commitment to our Indian community is paramount. We are leveraging some of the biggest names in Indian sport and culture with activations aimed at celebrating India."

This initiative builds on KONAMI's previous successful Indian partnerships, including collaborations with national team captain Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and esports star Jonathan Gaming. These partnerships demonstrate the strong synergy between football and gaming in India, setting the stage for this larger, more integrated campaign.

It also represents KONAMI's long-term commitment to its Indian audience. With high-stakes tournaments, direct celebrity engagement, and a sharp focus on community building, the campaign is positioned to deeply embed eFootball within India's vibrant and rapidly expanding sports culture.