NODWIN GAMING has announced a partnership with ICONiQ White as the Title Sponsor and Mastercard as the ‘Powered By’ Sponsor for NH7 Weekender 2026, further strengthening the festival’s reputation as one of India’s most influential live music platforms.
Scheduled to take place from 13 to 15 March at Mahalakshmi Lawns in Pune, the 2026 edition will feature a diverse, genre-spanning lineup including Talwiinder, Prateek Kuhad, Aditya Gadhvi, Raftaar x Kr$na, Faheem Abdullah, Aditya Rikhari, KING, Indian Ocean, and Nucleya & Friends, among others. The festival will also host a comedy lineup featuring Aaditya Kulshreshth, Rahul Subramanian, Varun Thakur, Rohan Joshi and Urooj Ashfaq, adding a strong dose of humour to the weekend programme.
As the Title Sponsor, ICONiQ White will curate a dedicated social and experiential hub designed to serve as a central meeting point for festivalgoers. Envisioned as a space to pause and recharge amid the high-energy environment, the zone will encourage visitors to reconnect with art, community and the experience of being fully present. The collaboration underscores ICONiQ White’s growing commitment to supporting live music and culture-led platforms.
Mastercard joins the festival as the ‘Powered By’ Sponsor. Ahead of NH7 Weekender 2026, an HDFC Bank Mastercard Credit Card presale was conducted, followed by an exclusive Mastercard presale window. These early access opportunities and curated cardholder benefits highlight Mastercard’s focus on enhancing live entertainment experiences while expanding its presence in India’s live events ecosystem.
The partnerships arrive at a significant moment for India’s live events industry. According to a whitepaper released by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the organised live events segment grew by 15 per cent in 2024, generating an estimated incremental revenue of Rs 13 billion. The report also outlines India’s ambition to emerge as one of the world’s top five live entertainment destinations by 2030.
In the lead-up to the festival, the Road to Weekender campaign will roll out across Mumbai and Pune, extending the festival experience beyond the main event through interactive, community-led activities. Designed to build excitement ahead of ICONiQ White NH7 Weekender 2026, the campaign will feature social and game-led engagements inspired by party culture. Selected participants will have the chance to win festival passes and access exclusive on-ground experiences during the festival weekend.
Tickets are available on the District by Zomato app, the festival’s official ticketing partner. NH7 Weekender is a NODWIN Gaming intellectual property, curated by Big Bad Wolf, with Exceed Entertainment serving as the revenue partner and EVA Live as the event partner.
Allied Blenders and Distillers Limited managing director Alok Gupta said, “Today’s generation creates the culture they consume. ICONiQ White is designed for this audience, celebrating individuality and bold self-expression – values that have defined NH7 Weekender since its inception. This partnership is all about being present in the spaces where our consumers discover new voices and create unforgettable memories. We look forward to fuelling these shared experiences and inviting everyone to ‘Be ICONiQ’ this March.”
Mastercard vice president, marketing & communications, South Asia Lavani Agarwal shared, “NH7 Weekender captures the spirit of creativity, inclusivity, and self-expression—values that sit at the heart of Mastercard. Built on a legacy of enabling priceless experiences, we are thrilled to connect even more deeply with youth and Gen Z through exclusive presales and unique, on-ground engagements. As India’s live entertainment scene accelerates, Mastercard remains committed to creating culturally resonant, effortless, and unforgettable connections.”
NODWIN Gaming co-founder and MD Akshat Rathee added, “We are pleased to welcome ICONiQ White and Mastercard as partners for the 2026 edition of NH7 Weekender. What began as a platform to spotlight independent talent has grown into one of India’s most recognised cultural properties, shaping the way live music is experienced in the country. As the sector enters a phase of accelerated growth and global attention, it becomes essential to build partnerships that enhance the audience journey while contributing to sustainable expansion. Together, these collaborations strengthen what Weekender stands for and help us take the festival into its next chapter.”
