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| (Image Source: MOONTON Games/eSports World Cup Foundation) |
MOONTON Games has unveiled a revamped tournament format for the upcoming Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Mid Season Cup (MSC) at 2025 eSports World Cup (EWC). The changes include a third-place match and a new draw system to reflect MOONTON Games' ambition for MLBB to be the global benchmark for eSports competitiveness. The updated structure introduces unpredictable matchups that will challenge players to #EncounterTheUnknown (the MSC at EWC 25 tagline), testing the adaptability and resilience of the world's best MLBB teams. MSC at EWC 25 will once again feature a US$3M (three million US dollars) prize pool, setting the stage for high-stakes competition amongst the world's best MLBB teams. MOONTON Games Global Head of eSports Tiger Xu said, "At MOONTON Games, we want MLBB to remain at the forefront of eSports. This year's refreshed format embodies our commitment to pushing boundaries in eSports by challenging teams to adapt to the unfamiliar. With new tactical layers like the draw mechanic and refinements to team progression, we're creating a more dynamic playing field. MLBB eSports goes beyond just gameplay and mechanics. Teams will now be tested on their preparation, decision-making, and adaptability under pressure. This format is going to challenge players in new ways, and fans around the world are in for some truly exciting matches."
Phase 1 of the Wild Card adopts a Best-of-Three (BO3) double-elimination inter-group format (GSL), replacing the previous BO1 single-round-robin structure. This new format requires teams to secure victories both within and across groups to advance, ensuring only the strongest team progresses. The eight Wild Card teams will be split into two groups, where the top two teams will advance to the cross-group Semi Finals. Facing opponents from the other group introduces an added layer of unpredictability on the road to advancement. The winners will then face off in a BO5 match for a coveted slot in the Group Stage. The Group Stage shifts from a BO2 single-round-robin to a BO3 double-elimination format. The BO3 structure ensures that progression is earned through consistent and decisive performances, making each game a pivotal step on the path to victory. This stage will see 16 teams divided into two groups, with the top four from each group advancing to the Knockout Stage. The Knockout Stage will introduce a new competitive draw mechanic that gives undefeated teams in the Group Stage the opportunity to select their opponents. This new mechanic reinforces the importance of performances at every stage, maintaining competitive intensity throughout. Teams that advance with a 2-0 record can select their opponents from the pool of 2-1 teams for the first round of the Knockout Stage. Priority will be given based on the shortest total match time in the Group Stage. Unlike the previous edition, MSC at EWC 25 will introduce a third-place match. Semi Finalist teams must now overcome this additional stage for a final opportunity to secure a podium finish. The Knockout Stage matches will follow a single-elimination, BO5 format. The tournament will culminate in a BO7 Grand Finals to crown the new kings of MLBB eSports.
The new prize pool allocation aims to elevate the competitive intensity of the tournament by rewarding the top-performing teams. MSC at EWC 25 will offer a US$3M (3 million US dollars) prize pool, with the champions and runners-up set to take home US$1-million and US$500,000 respectively. This year, the third-placed team will earn US$250,000 — up from last year's US$200,000. This adjustment sharpens the competitive edge amongst the world's best MLBB teams, intensifying the fight for a podium finish. Last year, the tournament's dark horses, Selangor Red Giants (now known as Selangor Red Giants OG Esports), overcame world champions, Team Falcons Philippines, 4-3 to take home the championship title and US$1M (one million US dollars) grand cash prize. MLBB continues to set the global standard for eSports with its expanding reach and passionate fanbase as it heads into MSC at EWC 25. This year features a record 16 regions with the addition of Japan and Vietnam as Wild Card entrants. With the expanded competitive landscape, MSC at EWC 25 is set to be its most competitive edition to date. According to eSports Charts, MSC emerged as the most-watched tournament at the inaugural EWC with over 2.38 million Peak Concurrent Viewers (PCV) and over 29 million Hours Watched (HW). Earlier this year, MLBB was named the world's most-watched mobile eSports title of 2024 while the MLBB Professional League (MPL) became the first eSports circuit to surpass 1 billion HW. MLBB will also feature at EWC 25 with the return of the MLBB Women's Invitational (MWI). At the inaugural EWC, MWI made history as the event's only women's tournament, underscoring MOONTON Games' ambitions of fostering eSports inclusivity. The tournament featured a US$500,000 prize pool — one of the largest in women's eSports history — spotlighting MWI as a progressive platform to spotlight women eSports athletes, and a revamped format that echoes the competitive intensity of the MLBB Mid Season Cup (MSC). As a platform for inclusivity in gaming, MWI leads the charge for female representation at EWC, giving female athletes the opportunity to showcase their #Limitless potential on the global stage.
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| (Image Source: MOONTON Games/eSports World Cup Foundation) |
MWI at EWC 25 will feature a record 16-team lineup — up from 12 teams in the previous edition — alongside a refreshed format that mirrors the intensity of MSC at EWC 25. This new structure highlights the rising competitiveness and professionalisation of MLBB women's eSports, positioning MWI as the benchmark for global women's tournaments. The Group Stage will divide the teams into four groups competing in a Best-of-Three (BO3), double-elimination format. Replacing the previous BO2 format, this new format demands more consistent, decisive wins, pushing strategic depth to new heights in MLBB women's tournaments. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Knockout Stage. The Knockout Stage will adopt a BO3, single-elimination format and introduce a new BO5 third-place match. This additional stage gives teams a final chance to bring pride to their regions with a podium finish. The tournament will culminate in a BO7 Grand Finals to crown the next queens of MLBB women's eSports. The 16 qualified teams will compete on July 15-19, 2025 following a qualification series that saw teams from 57 regions vie for a coveted spot. For the first time, teams from Africa, Mongolia, and Türkiye will participate in the tournament — underscoring MWI's role in driving global representation in women's eSports. Standouts include Indonesia's Team Vitality, one of the most decorated squads in MLBB women's eSports. Two of its stars, Michelle "Chell" Siswanto and Cindy "Cinny" Siswanto, were recently featured in Amazon Prime's Level Up where they shared their inspiring journey through the highs and lows of the competitive MLBB scene. Natus Vincere PH (formerly Smart Omega Empress) will also return as the reigning MWI 2024 champions, having delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over Team Vitality to end their opponent's three-year, 24-match winning streak.
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| (Image Source: MOONTON Games/eSports World Cup Foundation) |
With its returning $500,000 prize pool, MWI at EWC 2025 reinforces its role as a driving force in advancing women's eSports. The champions will take home the crown and the top prize of US$150,000 while the remainder will be distributed amongst the other participating teams. This continued investment builds on the previous edition which made history as the only women's tournament at the inaugural EWC. It was also the first MWI to feature teams from beyond Southeast Asia and became the most-watched edition to date with over 2.5 million HW according to eSports Charts. MOONTON Games Head of eSports Ecosystem Ray Ng said, "Fostering the charge for women's eSports means continuously pushing boundaries. This year, with more participating regions, the addition of new teams, and a new format, MWI at EWC 25 demonstrates how MOONTON Games stays at the forefront of championing women's eSports by partnering with the eSports World Cup Foundation. The tournament has become a key pillar of our calendar as we look to empower our female athletes with a pathway to build sustainable eSports careers and prove that they belong amongst the world's best. MLBB is setting the pace for women's eSports at EWC and beyond!" MOONTON Games continues to lead the global development of women's eSports and inclusivity. Last year, it hosted marquee women's tournaments like MWI 2024, the Asian eSports Games (AEG) 2024, and the IESF World eSports Championship (WEC) 2024, giving female athletes the opportunity to bring pride to their regions. That momentum will continue with MWI at EWC 25 and the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games, further strengthening the competitive landscape for women in MLBB eSports. With MSC and MWI taking place at the world's largest multi-title event, MLBB will bring the spirit of One Game, Two Champions to life — highlighting its unified vision for excellence across the entire eSports ecosystem.
