Garena’s popular battle royale battle game Free Fire is officially returning to India after a gap of three years with a tournament cup. The free-to-play game was banned in the country in 2022 by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on security grounds. Announcing the Free Fire Max Tournament Cup, the company shared an Instagram post, writing “India, time to squad up! 🔥The heat is rising, the battlefield is set! TEZ FFMIC is coming soon.” TEZ FFMIC here stands for TEZ Free Fire Max India Cup, which will run from July 13 to September 28 and carry a prize pool of Rs 1 crore. This marks Garena’s biggest move in India since the ban and signals a major push into the country’s fast-growing gaming market.
How social media reacted to the return of Free Fire
The tournament announcement has been received by social media users with enthusiasm. “Ache Din ki suruaat Ho gyiii,” wrote one user. A second user said “it’s been so long”. “Abhi maza aiyega na bidu,” said a third.
Industry leaders welcome the move
Industry experts say the return of Free Fire could be a turning point for mobile esports in India. Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming said “The return of Free Fire competitive through the Free Fire MAX India Cup 2025 is a pivotal moment for mobile esports in India. India thrives on accessibility and Free Fire’s ability to run smoothly across a broad spectrum of devices makes it especially relevant for gamers nationwide.”Rathee also noted that having more choices benefits the gaming community. “More options for Indian gamers and esports athletes are always a good thing… Free Fire has a loyal audience, just as BGMI does… both titles can and will coexist,” he said.Animesh Agarwal from S8UL also praised the game’s return. “It has always connected deeply with the mobile-first audience in India, and its comeback will undoubtedly spark new energy in the competitive scene,” he said.
