Hey there, fellow MLBB fan! Can you believe it's already 2026? Last year, in July 2025, the Esports World Cup (EWC) x Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Mid Season Cup (MSC) 2025 took the stage, and it was nothing short of legendary. I'm still buzzing from the excitement. Let me walk you through why this edition was a game-changer, especially with its record-breaking 16 participating regions—the largest number ever in the tournament's history. 🌍
Japan and Vietnam: Wild Card Debuts That Made Waves
One of the most exciting announcements from MOONTON Games was that Japan and Vietnam would each secure their own dedicated Wild Card slots. For Japan, this marked a triumphant return to the international MLBB esports stage for the first time since the M2 World Championship in 2020. I remember how hyped the Japanese community was—it had been years! And Vietnam? They made their Wild Card debut, which was a first since the format was introduced in international MLBB tournaments the previous year. Talk about making an entrance! 🎉
The Wild Card: Eight Teams, One Dream
The Wild Card wasn't just a side show—it brought eight additional teams into the race for the EWC x MSC 2025 Main Stage. This format expansion paved the way for more regions to make their mark at the world's largest multi-title esports event. And if you remember the 2024 Wild Card, it hit a whopping 373,543 Peak Concurrent Viewers (PCV) according to Esports Charts. That was the highest for any international MLBB tournament. So you can bet the 2025 Wild Card was even more intense!
Main Stage: 16 Teams, One Champion
After the Wild Card chaos, the EWC x MSC 2025 Main Stage featured 16 international teams—including the eventual Wild Card winner—all vying for the championship title. With the new Wild Card regions, this edition was set to be the most competitive and regionally diverse in the tournament's history. I mean, 16 regions! That's insane.
A Quick Look Back at 2024: The Foundation of Greatness
To really appreciate 2025, we have to talk about 2024. In 2024, the MSC was rebranded from the MLBB Southeast Asia Cup to reflect MOONTON Games' vision of fostering global inclusivity in esports. The tournament expanded beyond Southeast Asia, with Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, serving as its host city. And what a success it was! The EWC x MSC 2024 achieved the EWC 2024's highest viewership with 2.38 million PCV and over 29 million Hours Watched (HW), according to Esports Charts. That's mind-blowing. 🤯
Mike Chu, Head of Regional Esports at MOONTON Games, said: 'The addition of new regions in EWC x MSC 2025 highlights our commitment to fostering an inclusive MLBB esports ecosystem. By enhancing the tournament's global reach, we are providing a platform for esports talent from around the world to compete at the highest level. This expansion not only increases the competitive level on display, it also celebrates the diverse passion that drives the MLBB esports community. We're excited to team up with the EWC for its second edition—to showcase how two esports giants celebrate spirited competition together.'
And let's not forget the 2024 champions: the Selangor Red Giants emerged victorious, taking home Malaysia's first-ever MLBB world championship title, along with the lion's share of the USD 3,000,000 prize pool. According to Esports Charts, MLBB was 2024's most-watched mobile esports title, with over 475 million HW across all international, local, and official third-party tournaments. That's a legacy that set the stage for an even bigger 2025.
| Key Fact | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Participating Regions | (not specified) | 16 |
| Main Stage Teams | 16 | 16 |
| Wild Card Teams | 8 | 8 |
| Peak Viewers (PCV) | 2.38 million | (TBD) |
| Prize Pool | USD 3,000,000 | (TBD) |
Note: Some 2025 data was still unfolding at the time of the announcement, but the stage was set for a record-breaking event.
My Personal Take: Why 2025 Was a Milestone
As a longtime MLBB fan, I've watched the scene grow from regional clashes to a global phenomenon. The EWC x MSC 2025 wasn't just another tournament—it was a statement. The inclusion of Japan and Vietnam, the expansion to 16 regions, and the Wild Card format all pointed to one thing: MLBB esports is truly global. And now, in 2026, we can look back and see how that event paved the way for even more inclusivity. I can't wait to see what the future holds. If you missed any of the action, go back and watch the VODs—you won't regret it. 🎮🏆