A revamped format for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Mid Season Cup (MSC) at 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC) was revealed.
Developer MOONTON Games wants Mobile Legends to be the global benchmark for esports competitiveness, so they added a third-place match and a new draw mechanism. Players must adapt and endure unpredictable matchups in the updated structure, testing the world's top Mobile Legends teams.
A USD 3 million prize pool will again make MSC at EWC 25 a high-stakes competition for the top Mobile Legends teams.
Tiger Xu, Moonton esports global head, said:
This year's refreshed [MLBB Mid Season Cup] 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.
New MSC 2025 Tournament Format
Wild Card
The Wild Card Phase 1 replaces the single-round-robin Best-of-One (BO1) structure with a BO3 double-elimination inter-group format (GSL-style). Teams now need to win within and across groups to progress.
The eight teams will be divided into two groups, with the top two squads advancing to the cross-group Semi-Finals. Advancement is more unpredictable while facing opponents from the other group. The winners will play a BO5 for a Group Stage spot.
Group Stage
BO3 double-elimination replaces BO2 single-round-robin in the Group Stage. Teams now require persistent and decisive play to advance, making each game crucial to victory.
Sixteen (16) teams will be split into two groups, with each group's top four advancing to the Knockout Stage.
Knockout Stage
The Knockout Stage will debut a competitive draw mechanic that lets undefeated Group Stage teams choose their opponents. This new mechanic emphasizes performance at every step, preserving competitive tension. For the Knockout Stage first round, 2-0 teams can choose from 2-1 teams. Group Stage matches with the least total time will be prioritized.
With a third-place match, MSC 2025 will be different. To finish on the podium, semi-finalists must pass this final stage. The Knockout Stage will be single-elimination, BO5. The BO7 Grand Finals will determine Mobile Legends Esports' next kings.
Watch the video explainer for MSC at EWC 25 tournament format here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02aewKFc10A.
MSC 2025 Prize Pool
By rewarding top teams, the new prize pool allocation intends to increase tournament competition. The champions and runners-up will earn USD 1M and USD 500K, respectively, from MSC 2025's USD 3 million prize pool. The third-place team will receive USD 250K, up from USD 200K last MSC. Here's a full breakdown.
- Champion: USD 1,000,000
- 2nd Place: USD 500,000
- 3rd Place: USD 250,000
- 4th Place: USD 150,000
- 5th-8th Place: USD 100,000
- 9th-12th Place: USD 66,000
- 13th-16th Place: USD 50,000
- 17th Place: USD 41,000
- 18th-19th Place: USD 35,000
- 20th-21st Place: USD 32,000
- 22nd-23rd Place: USD 30,000
This prize pool adjustment sharpens the competition among the world's best Mobile Legends squads, intensifying the podium race. In MSC 2024, dark horses Malaysia's Selangor Red Giants (now partnered with OG Esports) defeated M5 world champions AP Bren from the Philippines, 4-3, to win the championship and USD 1 million.
In the comments below, let us show our support and cheers to our Saudi Arabia-bound MSC 2025 PH representatives, Team Liquid and ONIC. – PinoyTechSaga
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