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 USD 3 million prize pool, setting the stage for high-stakes competition amongst the world's best MLBB teams.
Tiger Xu, Global Head of Esports at MOONTON Games, 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."
Revamped format, elevated competition
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.
Watch the video explainer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02aewKFc10A
More to win for teams on top
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 USD 3 million prize pool, with the champions and runners-up set to take home USD 1 million and USD 500,000 respectively. This year, the third-placed team will earn USD 250,000—up from last year's USD 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 USD 1 million prize.
Benchmarks ahead of MSC at EWC 25
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 USD 500,000 prize pool—one of the largest in women's esports history—spotlighting MWI as a progressive platform to spotlight women esports athletes. 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.
This past weekend, MPL Singapore's four-time champions, Team Flash, secured their place in the MSC at EWC 25 Main Stage with a commanding 4-1 victory over arch-rivals, RSG SG. In Latin America, Corinthians were crowned the new kings of MLBB Latin America after a thrilling 4-3 showdown against Influence Rage in the MPL LATAM Season 3 Grand Finals. Corinthians will advance to the MSC Main Stage, while runners-up, Influence Rage, will compete in the Wild Card. Meanwhile, the MLBB Super League Myanmar concluded its inaugural season with Mythic Seal taking the championship title and earning their first-ever qualification for an international MLBB tournament by qualifying to the Main Stage. Over in the Mekong region, Niightmare Esports swept Leon Esports 4-0 in the M Challenge Cup Mekong Season 5 Grand Finals to claim the title and secure their Wild Card slot.
