Red Bull India Backs Team Apex Gaming: What the BGMI and Free Fire Deal Covers
Red Bull India has signed a product partnership with Jonathan's Team Apex Gaming, covering its BGMI and Free Fire rosters and creators. Here is what the deal covers.
Red Bull India has signed a product partnership with Team Apex Gaming (TAG), the esports organisation founded by BGMI star Jonathan Amaral. The deal was announced in Mumbai on October 19, 2026, and covers TAG's BGMI and Free Fire rosters as well as its group of gaming content creators.
Until now, Red Bull's link with the organisation ran through Jonathan alone, who has been a Red Bull Player for three years. The new agreement widens that relationship to the whole organisation, only six months after it was founded.
What Happened
TalkEsport, MediaBrief and The Esports Radar all reported the announcement on October 19, based on the partnership release.
According to those reports, Red Bull will work with TAG on gaming content, esports initiatives and community events. The deal builds on earlier collaborations with individual TAG personalities. Creator Shreeman Legend was one of the 100 drivers in Red Bull's MAX vs 100 karting challenge, and creator Sharkshe received a gaming room upgrade from Red Bull.
Jonathan said in the release: "I've been a Red Bull Player for three years now, and some of my most memorable experiences have come through this partnership. As I begin a new chapter with Team Apex Gaming, it means a lot to have Red Bull supporting this journey."
He added that he is "excited to take this partnership further, bringing even bigger and more memorable gaming experiences to fans across India."
Financial terms were not disclosed in any of the reports.
Key Facts
| Detail | Reported fact |
| --- | --- |
| Announced | October 19, 2026, Mumbai |
| Partners | Red Bull India and Team Apex Gaming (TAG) |
| Type of deal | Product partnership |
| Coverage | BGMI roster, Free Fire roster and TAG's content creators |
| Previous link | Jonathan Amaral has been a Red Bull Player for three years |
| TAG founded | April 2026, by Jonathan Amaral |
| TAG Instagram following | More than 920,000, per the release |
| Financial terms | Not disclosed |
The rosters Red Bull is now backing
| BGMI | Free Fire |
| --- | --- |
| Jonathan "Jonathan" Amaral | Manav "Shoto" Shinde |
| Gunjan "Jelly" Thakur | Priyanshu "KD" |
| Harsh "Harsh" Negi | Ayush "Louis" Jangir |
| Aarush "Hydro" Sharma | Sahil "Sahil" Dahiya |
| Swaraj "KioLmao" Singh | Dhruv "Wolvin" Sharma |
The creator group named in the release includes LolzZz Gaming (Yash Thacker), Sharkshe (Shakshi Shetty), Shreeman Legend (Siddhant Joshi), Sheek Gaming (Tarushika) and RakaZone (Rishab Karanwal).
Why It Matters
Analysis: This deal is about audience as much as competition. TalkEsport points out that a large share of TAG's following comes from its creator lineup, which includes some of the biggest names in Indian gaming. The release describes TAG as India's most-followed esports organisation, with more than 920,000 Instagram followers in about six months. That claim comes from the release itself and has not been independently measured.
The timing is also notable. The announcement came a day after the BGMI Showdown (BMSD) 2026 Grand Finals, where TalkEsport reports TAG finished 10th with 98 points and missed the BGMI International Cup (BMIC) 2026. Red Bull's commitment shows that, for brands, a team's reach and content can carry value beyond a single tournament result.
Impact on Indian Esports
Red Bull India already has a footprint in the scene. The reports note its partnership with GodLike Esports, its Red Bull Players Ankit "V3nom" Panth and Techno Gamerz, and events such as Red Bull Solo Legends, which The Esports Radar says was promoted as India's biggest solo-format BGMI tournament.
Analysis: A second organisation deal suggests Red Bull sees Indian mobile esports as a long-term category rather than a one-off. Covering both BGMI and Free Fire also means the deal is not tied to the fortunes of a single game.
For the wider ecosystem, deals like this matter because non-endemic brands bring money and marketing reach that publishers and organisers alone cannot provide. The more brands that see clear value in Indian teams and creators, the easier it becomes for teams to fund rosters, staff and content.
Lessons for Teams, Organisers, Players and Sponsors
For teams
TAG's offer to a sponsor combines rosters in two games with a creator network. Teams that build content and community alongside competition have more to offer brands, and are less exposed when results go the wrong way.
For organisers
Brands like Red Bull also run their own events. Organisers can work with sponsors on formats, campus activations and community tournaments that give brands something to own, rather than only selling logo space.
For players
Jonathan's path shows how an individual player sponsorship can grow into an organisation-level deal. A strong personal brand, kept over several years, can open doors for an entire team.
For sponsors
Product partnerships are a lower-risk way into esports. The structure here, covering players, creators and community events, lets a brand reach fans through several channels at once. Sponsors should still ask for clear reporting on reach and engagement, since follower counts in releases are self-reported.
What's Next
- Content and events: The reports say Red Bull and TAG will work together on gaming content, esports projects and community events. No specific campaigns or dates have been announced yet.
- Competitive calendar: TAG's BGMI team will not play BMIC 2026 after missing the cut at BMSD, so its next competitive appearances will depend on upcoming third-party and official events.
Conclusion
Red Bull India's partnership with Team Apex Gaming turns a three-year player sponsorship into an organisation-wide deal covering two games and a large creator group. For Indian esports, it is another sign that major consumer brands see value in teams that combine competition with content, and a useful model for how younger organisations can pitch sponsors.
Sources
- TalkEsport: Red Bull Partners With Team Apex Gaming, Backs Jonathan's BGMI and Free Fire Rosters (October 19, 2026)
- MediaBrief: Red Bull India expands esports association with Team Apex Gaming partnership (October 19, 2026)
- The Esports Radar: Red Bull India unveils partnership with Team Apex Gaming (October 19, 2026)
- TalkEsport: Team Apex Gaming Misses BMIC 2026 After BMSD Grand Finals (October 18, 2026)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Red Bull and Team Apex Gaming deal cover?
It is a product partnership covering TAG's BGMI and Free Fire rosters and its content creators. Red Bull and TAG will work on gaming content, esports projects and community events.
Who founded Team Apex Gaming?
BGMI player Jonathan Amaral founded Team Apex Gaming in April 2026. He has been a Red Bull Player for three years.
How much is the deal worth?
The financial terms have not been disclosed.
Which other Indian esports teams does Red Bull support?
Red Bull India also partners with GodLike Esports, and it sponsors individual Red Bull Players such as Ankit "V3nom" Panth and Techno Gamerz.