The upcoming Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Mid Season Cup (MSC) at the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC) will see a completely revamped tournament format, aimed at heightening competitiveness and testing player adaptability under pressure.
The new structure introduces a draw mechanic in the Knockout Stage, a third-place match, and significant changes across all phases of competition—from Wild Card to Grand Finals. The tournament will retain its US$3 million prize pool, with US$1 million going to the champion and US$500,000 and US$250,000 to the second and third-place teams respectively.
“This year’s refreshed format embodies our commitment to pushing boundaries in esports by challenging teams to adapt to the unfamiliar,” said Tiger Xu, Global Head of Esports at MOONTON Games.
Key format changes include:
- Wild Card Phase: BO3 double-elimination (GSL) format, replacing BO1 round-robin. Cross-group semi-finals determine a single Main Stage qualifier.
- Group Stage: Now a BO3 double-elimination format with 16 teams. Top four from each group advance.
- Knockout Stage: New draw mechanic gives undefeated teams priority to select opponents based on match time. Single-elimination BO5 matches, concluding with a BO7 Grand Final and a BO5 third-place match.
This edition will also welcome Japan and Vietnam into the Wild Card stage, bringing the regional tally to a record 16. MOONTON Games said these updates aim to push MLBB as the global benchmark for esports competitiveness.
MLBB will also return with the MLBB Women’s Invitational (MWI), reinforcing inclusivity in esports. The inaugural edition featured a US$500,000 prize pool and was the only women’s event at EWC 2024.
Recent qualifiers include Team Flash (Singapore), Corinthians (Latin America), Mythic Seal (Myanmar), and Niightmare Esports (Mekong), who have all earned spots in the Main Stage or Wild Card round.
According to Esports Charts, MSC was the most-watched event at the 2024 EWC with 2.38 million peak concurrent viewers. MLBB also remains the world’s most-watched mobile esports title of 2024.
