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| Holding the signed memorandum of agreement between MOONTON Games, publisher and developer of Mobile Legends Bang Bang (MLBB), and the Philippines' Department of Tourism, for the M5 World Championship to be held on December 2-17, 2023 in the country with a smile (L-R): Department of Tourism - Philippines (DOT-PH) Director of the Office of Film and Sports Tourism Robby Alapado III, DOT-PH Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Atty. Mae Elaine Bathan, MOONTON Games Philippines Head of eSports Logan Shaw, MOONTON Games Regional Public Relations Manager Keith Medrano (Image Source: eSports Insider/MOONTON Games/MPL Philippines/Department of Tourism - Philippines) |
The Mobile Legends Bang Bang (MLBB) M5 World Championship, scheduled to take place in the Philippines on December 2-17, 2023, will be co-hosted by the country's Department of Tourism (DOT-PH) as announced by renowned video game publisher and developer MOONTON Games following the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOU) between the two organizations held last October 25, 2023 inside the Eduardo V. Manalo (EVM) Convention Center in Quezon City. M5 is the fifth edition of the world's biggest Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) eSports event which is expected to attract around 2,000 to 3,000 participants from all over the world, and the partnership between MOONTON and DOT will enable them to facilitate tours for domestic and international gaming and eSports enthusiasts and MLBB fans attending the global spectacle.
"The Philippines is one of the biggest Mobile Legends: Bang Bang markets and among the strongest regions in MLBB esports. It is prime time to host the M5 World Championship in Manila, and we are excited to bring local and global MLBB communities together in this memorable event. We hope to bring a greater level of esports tourism to the nation and simultaneously deliver an exceptional viewership experience to the fans," said MOONTON Games Philippines Head of eSports Logan Shaw. On the other hand, DOT-PH chief of staff and Undersecretary Atty. Mae Elaine Bathan said the agency had been providing support to make the M5 hosting in Manila possible including on accommodations, event venues, permits, travel documents, airport assistance and tour facilitation, among others. “This collaboration is more than a partnership; it's a movement that bridges the worlds of gaming and tourism. As we embark on this journey, we invite the world to witness the thrill of M5 and likewise explore the breathtaking beauty of the Philippines as a premier tourist destination,” said Usec. Bathan.
In a separate interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), MOONTON Games regional public relations manager Keith Medrano said a microsite offering specialized tour packages for M5 attendees will be launched under the DOT-MOONTON partnership. “Since M5 is the biggest world championship in terms of the number of participating countries, we are expecting fans from different parts of the world such as Indonesia, North America, and the Middle East,” he said. The M5 World Championship's group stage and knockout phase 1 will be held at the EVM Convention Center in Quezon City on December 2-12, 2023 while the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila will serve as the venue for the second knockout phase and the grand finals on December 15-17, 2023. Early Bird Tickets for the M5 World Championship are now available online via Slashevent starting at Php500 (about $9) for a single-day group stage ticket. Tickets to the M5 Grand Finals are up to Php3,199 (about $56) per ticket. Early Bird Tickets will be available until November 3. Regular tickets will be available for sale starting November 4 where MPL Philippines Playoffs stage Season 12 ticket holders will receive a ten percent discount upon purchase.
The M5 World Championship will feature 16 teams in the Group Stage fighting for a share of the $900,000 prize pool, including the top teams of MLBB Professional League (MPL) Philippines. “It is an immense honor to work with DOT for the international tournament and we are grateful for their support. We hope to bring a greater level of eSports tourism to the nation and simultaneously deliver an exceptional viewership experience to the fans,” said Shaw. “We are proud to be part of history as we welcome participants in our country. We know many Filipinos play and support the game. Today, our eSports industry stands on the edge of this tremendous growth, attracting a diverse audience, and we would like to take advantage of this diversity and convert them into tourists who love our country and explore further the bounty of our nation,” said Atty. Bathan.
