NODWIN Gaming Launches NODWIN Sports, Appoints Gurbaksh Singh Virdi as VP
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Khushi Jain
- September 15, 2026
NODWIN Gaming, a global youth entertainment, gaming and esports company, has expanded into mainstream sports with the launch of NODWIN Sports, a new division focused on developing sporting properties, mass-participation events and commercial opportunities.
The company has appointed former Adidas India executive Gurbaksh Singh Virdi as vice president of NODWIN Sports to lead the division.
NODWIN Sports will develop new-age sports and active-fitness competitions, create mass-participation lifestyle properties and work with sports federations, governing bodies, rights holders and brands.
The division will operate across four areas: new-age sports and mass-participation intellectual properties; sports advisory and engagement with governing bodies; strategic partnerships and commercial alliances; and white-label execution and operations.
It will also focus on creating original sports properties, commercial strategies, brand and media partnerships, production and on-ground execution.
“Sport has always had the ability to bring people together at scale, and the way audiences experience sport is changing rapidly,” NODWIN Gaming co-founder and managing director Akshat Rathee said.
“We see an opportunity to build properties that reflect how younger audiences participate, compete, follow and engage with sport today. NODWIN Sports gives us a dedicated platform to work with sporting institutions, athletes, brands and partners to build those opportunities,” he said.
Gurbaksh Singh Virdi Joins NODWIN Gaming
Virdi joins NODWIN Gaming after a career spanning sports marketing, athlete management, commercial partnerships and the development of sporting properties.
Most recently, he was sports marketing lead at Adidas India, where his remit covered cricket, running, training, football and motorsport. He worked across partnerships involving the BCCI and the Indian Olympic Association.
Virdi previously held roles at Red Bull, U Sports, Puma and Cornerstone.
At Red Bull, his work included Red Bull Campus Cricket and athlete management. He later worked at U Sports, where he led operations for Pro Kabaddi League franchise U Mumba and was involved with the U Dream Football programme, which worked with Tata Trusts and German Bundesliga clubs including Borussia Dortmund and TSG Hoffenheim.
His subsequent roles included work on team sports at Puma and athlete-led intellectual properties at Cornerstone, including initiatives linked to Virat Kohli’s One8 brand.
“India’s sports landscape is entering an important phase of evolution, shaped by a new generation of audiences who are experiencing sport across competition, participation, entertainment, content and culture,” Virdi said.
“NODWIN Sports gives us an opportunity to bring these perspectives together and build properties that are relevant to how the next generation wants to experience sport. The ambition is not only to create new opportunities for participation, but to help build the culture around sport for the next decade, one that is more accessible, engaging, contemporary and connected to youth culture,” he added.
NODWIN Gaming’s Portfolio and Financial Performance
The new division will draw on NODWIN Gaming’s existing operations in content, production, partnerships and community engagement.
The company’s portfolio includes the BGMI Masters Series, Comic Con India, NH7 Weekender and VCSA, reflecting its expansion from esports into a broader mix of gaming, live entertainment, music and youth-focused properties.
NODWIN Gaming reported consolidated revenue of Rs 658 crore for the 2025-26 financial year, up about 25% from Rs 524 crore in the previous year.
It recorded earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of Rs 21 crore, compared with a loss of Rs 14 crore in 2024-25.
Founded in 2014 by Akshat Rathee and Gautam Virk, NODWIN Gaming has received investment from companies including Nazara Technologies, Krafton, Sony Group Corporation and JetSynthesys.
FAQs
1. What is NODWIN Sports?
NODWIN Sports is a new division of NODWIN Gaming focused on sporting properties, mass-participation events and commercial opportunities.
2. Who has been appointed vice president of NODWIN Sports?
Former Adidas India executive Gurbaksh Singh Virdi has been appointed vice president of NODWIN Sports.
3. What will NODWIN Sports focus on?
The division will develop new-age sports and active-fitness competitions, mass-participation lifestyle properties, original sports properties and commercial partnerships.
4. What was NODWIN Gaming’s revenue in 2025-26?
NODWIN Gaming reported consolidated revenue of Rs 658 crore in the 2025-26 financial year, up about 25% from Rs 524 crore in the previous year.
5. Who founded NODWIN Gaming?
NODWIN Gaming was founded in 2014 by Akshat Rathee and Gautam Virk.
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