Garena returns with Free Fire Max India Cup 2025 after three-year ban: Dates, registration, prize pool, eligibility and more

Free Fire

Garena has officially announced the return of Free Fire Max esports to India with the launch of the TEZ Free Fire Max India Cup 2025 (TEZ FFMIC). This marks the franchise’s first esports event in the country since Free Fire was banned in 2022 due to security concerns. While the original game remains inaccessible, the Free Fire Max version — which offers enhanced visuals and smoother gameplay — will serve as the platform for the new tournament. The total prize pool is set at Rs 1 crore.

Registration details
Registrations for the TEZ Free Fire Max India Cup 2025 will begin on July 7, 2025. Players can register through the in-game interface or via official Garena platforms. Interested teams must ensure all members meet the eligibility criteria before signing up.

Tournament dates and format
Garena has shared the full roadmap for the TEZ FFMIC tournament, which spans several rounds:
• In-Game Qualifiers: July 13, 2025
• Online Qualifiers: July 26 to August 3, 2025
• League Stage: August 22 to September 14, 2025
• Grand Finals: September 27 to 28, 2025

The top 48 teams from the in-game phase will proceed to the Online Qualifiers. Each team can play up to 12 matches, after which the top 8 will qualify for the League Stage and eventually the Grand Finals.

Eligibility criteria
To participate, all team members must meet the following requirements:
• Minimum rank: Diamond 1
• Minimum level: Level 40

This ensures that only experienced and competitive players enter the tournament.

Background
Free Fire was banned in India in 2022 along with several other apps linked to Chinese entities, citing national security concerns. Though a relaunch was expected in 2023, the original game remains unavailable. However, Free Fire Max — the enhanced version — has continued to operate and has now become the foundation for Garena’s esports return in India.