RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA, October 29 – The countdown has begun for the highly anticipated World Esports Championship (WEC), organized by the International Esports Federation (IESF), as it returns in November with Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) taking center stage, featuring an inaugural women's event and expanded prize pool. Top players from around the world will battle it out for national pride at the MLBB main event, running from November 12 to 15, as well as the new women's event taking place from November 16 to 19. With an increased combined prize pool of $280,000 – $160,000 for the main event and $120,000 for the women's event – this year's tournament is set to elevate the competitive stakes.
WEC 2024 will also see some of the most extensive international participation in MLBB esports to-date, with 88 countries initially registering to compete for the main event, and 49 countries entering the inaugural women's event. After a challenging series of national and regional qualifiers spanning months, only the top 16 teams have progressed to represent their countries in the main event, while 12 teams will compete in the women’s event. Each team will vie for national recognition and a share of the prize pool, reflecting the increasing competitiveness and diversity of the MLBB esports ecosystem.
MLBB has consistently been one of the most popular titles at WEC, with peak concurrent viewers surging past 700,000 at previous editions. "With a higher prize pool and the introduction of the new MLBB women's event alongside our main tournament, we are proud to support continued growth and representation for MLBB esports at WEC 2024," said Ray Ng, Head of Esports Ecosystem at MOONTON Games. "This year's championship not only showcases the commitment of MOONTON and IESF in elevating esports on the global stage, it also reflects the growing passion of the MLBB community across diverse regions."
Intense Rivalries and Newcomers Set to Make Their Mark on the Global Stage
Among the teams representing their countries at WEC 2024 are several powerhouse regions, including defending champions the Philippines, as well as stalwarts Indonesia and Malaysia. Multiple players from these teams have also recently been crowned champions of their respective Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional Leagues (MPL), adding to the intensity of the competition and making this a final proving ground before they head to Malaysia for the ultimate M6 World Championship title.
The Philippines' representative team, RRQ Kaito, will look to defend the nation's title and establish themselves as a true powerhouse team – after defying the odds and defeating MPL professional teams Omega Esports and Falcons AP.Bren at the national qualifiers to represent the country. Malaysia will bring a formidable roster with four players from the Selangor Red Giants - the championship team which took home the MLBB Mid Season Cup 2024. From Indonesia, veteran players from powerhouse team Fnatic Onic will be embarking on a path to redemption following the recent MPL Indonesia Playoffs.
From host nation Saudi Arabia, newly crowned MPL MENA winner Twisted Minds will present a lineup of skilled players ready to shine on the global stage. Guam's debut team, I Know Right, looks to surprise with their underdog spirit, while Egypt will feature players from major teams, Team Falcons and R8 Esports. Lastly, Turkey's Fire Flux Esports, rising in the MLBB scene, brings experience and talent to the competition. At the women's tournament, Indonesia's Team Vitality, runner-up of the MLBB Women's Invitational 2024, will return to Riyadh, determined to maintain their position among the best.
WEC 2024 Tournament Format Revealed
The MLBB main event will kick off with a Group Stage from November 12 to 13, featuring 16 teams randomly divided into four groups that will face each other in best-of-three matches within the same group. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Playoffs, which will take place on November 14 and 15, using a single-elimination format with best-of-three matches.
In the MLBB women's event, the Group Stage will occur from November 16 to 17, with 12 teams split into two groups competing in a round-robin format, with best-of-one matches. The top two teams from each group will advance to the upper bracket, while the third-place team will move to the lower bracket. The Playoffs for the women's event will be held from November 18 to 19, utilizing a double-elimination format with best-of-three matches.
