Week two of the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is set to begin in just a few days, and with it the historic Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Women’s Invitational (MWI).
This highly anticipated tournament has returned to EWC for the second year running with the world’s most formidable women athletes in mobile esports. Since releasing in 2016, MLBB has established an incredible global esports presence with international tournaments and regional leagues that see viewership from across the world. The title’s popularity is bolstered by over 110 million monthly active users, making it one of the most beloved mobile Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games worldwide.
Last year’s MWI produced one of the most unforgettable and lasting memories during its Grand Finals, when the underdog Smart Omega Empress team of all-Filipino players shocked the world with a dominant sweep over the consensus favorites in Team Vitality, breaking the Indonesian team’s three-year-long, 24-match winning streak. Over 265,000 viewers online tuned in to watch its electric Grand Finals, according to Esports Charts.
MWI is a cornerstone event of MLBB Esports’ inclusivity strategy, offering aspiring women esports talents a platform to stand on the world stage. MWI at EWC 25 will make history as its largest edition yet, with an expanded 16-team line-up (up from 12 last year). With qualifiers across 57 regions (up from 46 last year), MWI reaffirms EWC and MOONTON Games’ commitment to elevating female representation on the esports world stage.
Ray Ng, Head of Esports Ecosystem at MOONTON Games, said: “Our goal with MWI goes beyond just being a tournament. It’s about laying the foundations for a more sustainable and inclusive esports ecosystem. Being the largest women’s tournament at EWC 25 is a milestone, but it also reinforces our responsibility to lead by example. We’re committed to expanding opportunities for women to thrive at every level of competitive play.”
At this year’s event, the roster of champions that won under the Smart Omega Empress banner return to defend their crown, but this time they’re representing a legendary esports club as Natus Vincere PH. In addition to another Natus Vincere roster of players from Malaysia, Natus Vincere PH will also compete against their familiar foes in Vitality, who have gotten the upper hand in several rematches since last year’s EWC.
The full list of 16 teams, representing 13 regions from across the world, consists of: Team Vitality, ONIC Pertiwi, Natus Vincere PH, Team Liquid, Natus Vincere MY, SFU Serendipity, Falcons Vega MENA, DreamMax Girls, Rising Rage, WAOW GG Esports, Virtus.pro FE, FUT Esports, Gaimin Gladiators, Twisted Minds Orchid, Tidal Legends Gaming and Terror Queens. These teams will compete for a $500,000 prize, with an additional $50,000 to be awarded to the MVP, and 3,350 EWC 2025 Club Championship points on the line.
The women’s MLBB professional scene has seen significant growth, driven by dedicated tournaments like the MWI, resulting in greater interest in the scene from high-caliber clubs and organizations. Natus Vincere, Liquid, and Virtus.pro, all of whom are considered top contenders in this year’s EWC Club Championship, acquired women’s MLBB rosters this year. With these clubs competing alongside the likes of Vitality and Falcons, the results of the MWI could very well have massive implications in the Club Championship race.
