The third season of JetSynthesys’ Global e-Cricket Premier League or GEPL is being broadcast live on Star Sports Select and Star Sports Khel, while streaming exclusively on JioHotstar, with Willow TV taking the franchise-based e-cricket league to audiences in the United States and Canada for the first time.

The tournament, which got underway in Pune on August 1, saw Sonu Nigam-owned Kolkata Hawks emerge as the early pace-setters after an unbeaten opening day.

The world’s only franchise-based e-cricket league, played on ‘Real Cricket’ platform, according to a press release from the organisers, has entered its biggest edition yet with eight teams competing for a prize pool of Rs. 3.1 crore.

Kolkata Hawks opened their campaign with a three-wicket win over Hyderabad Rhinos before defeating Chennai Falcons, with Aman Vishwakarma’s unbeaten 44 anchoring the side’s second victory.

Mumbai Grizzlies’ Jetha, the league’s most expensive player at Rs. 3.5 lakh, also grabbed attention with an unbeaten 48 off 16 balls and the first hat-trick of the season as his side thrashed Gujarat Wolves by 67 runs.

The expanded broadcast footprint follows a successful second season, which generated over 174 million impressions after becoming the first e-cricket property to secure a national television slot alongside live sports.

The overseas telecast on Willow TV marks GEPL’s first international broadcast, underscoring the league’s push to build a wider global audience.

“Season 3 is GEPL’s biggest leap yet, growing from six teams to eight, with a marquee ownership mix and expanded broadcast footprint, that reflects how far this journey has come,” said Rajan Navani, Chairman of JetSynthesys, organisers of the league.

“What started as a community of aspiring e-cricketers has grown into the world’s only franchise-based e-cricket league — a sporting IP built in Bharat, for the world to watch. Over the next few days, that ambition will unfold one match at a time as our athletes showcase the depth of talent emerging from Bharat on a truly global stage,” he added.

GEPL Season 3 has also attracted a broad sponsor roster led by Lenskart as Official Partner, alongside Skyesports and Global Music Junction as Strategic Partners, among others.

GEPL is a franchise-based e-cricket league played on ‘Real Cricket’, bringing together professional gamers representing city-based teams owned by celebrities and entrepreneurs.

Organisers JetSynthesys is a digital entertainment and technology company with interests spanning gaming, esports, entertainment and digital experiences.