Hey, let me take you back to a moment that still gives me chills in 2026: the MLBB Women's Invitational at the 2025 Esports World Cup. Team Vitality didn't just win — they absolutely dismantled the competition. A 4-0 sweep over Gaimin Gladiators in the Grand Finals. A perfect 100% win rate. Undefeated, without dropping a single game. That's not a hot streak; that's a statement. And honestly, it's the kind of run that makes you sit up and say, okay, women's esports is not waiting for permission anymore.
VIT took home USD 150,000 from the USD 500,000 prize pool — one of the largest in women's esports history. Mid laner Cindy “Cinny” Siswanto earned MVP honors in the Grand Finals and an additional USD 10,000. The championship roster featured:
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Cindy “Cinny” Siswanto — Mid Laner
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Michelle “Chell” Siswanto — Gold Laner
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Sherly “BOBABAE” Sindra — Substitute
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Venny “Fumi Eko” Lim
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Vivi “Vivian” Indrawaty
Here's the part that gets me: this was VIT's third MWI title, but it was also a comeback story. In 2024, they fell short in the Grand Finals and lost their 24-match win streak dating back to 2021. Just days before MWI 2024, Cinny and Chell heartbreakingly lost their grandfather. They still competed through grief, and Amazon Prime's documentary series Level Up captured that resilience. Since then, VIT have won every major MLBB women's tournament. If that doesn't redefine strength, I don't know what does.
Vivian also made history as the first MLBB women's athlete showcased at The Sphere in Las Vegas. That kind of spotlight matters, because representation isn't just a buzzword — it's a door opening for the next generation. In a post-match press conference, Vivian said: “Here's a message from us to all the girls and women out there who dream of becoming esports athletes. It's not going to be the same for us as it is for men. Many male gamers still underestimate us and think women can't play at the same level. All of us faced struggles in the beginning, but we pushed through by refusing to give up and constantly improving ourselves. The best piece of advice I can give is this: believe in yourself and focus on becoming better. The results will come!”
MWI at EWC 25 broke the record books
If you ask me, the numbers tell their own story. MWI at EWC 25 became the most-watched edition yet, according to Esports Charts. Here's the stat line that made my jaw drop:
| Metric | MWI at EWC 25 |
|---|---|
| Peak Concurrent Viewers | 468,976 |
| Hours Watched | 3,723,251 |
| Average Concurrent Viewers | 109,240 |
That is wild. Artyom Odintsov, Co-founder and CEO of Esports Charts, called it a major milestone for the title and the wider female esports ecosystem, noting 46.2% year-over-year growth. He also pointed out that MWI became the most-watched women's esports competition of the first half of 2025 and entered the top five most-watched women's esports competitions ever. NAVI, Team Liquid, and other globally recognized organizations joined the fray, underscoring the event's growing prestige.
Ray Ng, Head of Esports Ecosystems at MOONTON Games, added: “MWI is more than just a tournament; it embodies the potential of women's esports when given the right support and investment. This edition made history, broke records, and demonstrated the growing passion and momentum behind women's esports. At MOONTON Games, we're committed to laying the foundations for the ecosystem and building a future where women thrive at the heart of esports.”
History in the making
MWI at EWC 25 was a tournament of breakthroughs. Gaimin Gladiators stunned the world as the first North American team to reach an MWI Grand Finals, bouncing back from an opening 0–2 loss to claim the runners-up title and USD 90,000. Myanmar's Terror Queens clinched third place after sweeping Team Liquid 3-0, marking Myanmar's highest placement yet on the international MLBB women's stage. These athletes carried their regions' hopes and proved the #Limitless potential of women in esports.
The event also set a new benchmark with a 16-team lineup — including four new entrants — and qualifiers spanning a record 57 regions. Its format was as demanding as the MLBB Mid Season Cup, placing female athletes on equal footing with the highest levels of competition. In 2024, MWI stood as the only women's tournament at the inaugural EWC. In 2025, it returned as the largest women's tournament on the world's biggest multi-title esports stage.
Jan Jahnke, Director of Games at Esports World Cup Foundation, said: “We believe that EWC will shape the future of esports and gaming, and at the center of this future are the players and clubs, no matter where they come from. MWI shows what is possible when women are given the platform, prize pool and global stage they deserve. Team Vitality's win reflects what the EWC stands for: world-class performance, resilience, and the power of esports to create life-changing opportunities and build a stronger industry for the future.”
MOONTON Games also launched dedicated social media channels for the MLBB women's ecosystem, aiming to spotlight female talent, build community, and create more visibility across the competitive scene.
Another MLBB champion awaits
From 23 July to 2 August, the MSC took center stage at EWC 25. Sixteen teams clashed for the life-changing USD 3,000,000 prize pool and the coveted championship title. The Group Stage ran from 23 to 27 July, with teams drawn into Groups A and B fighting for a top-four finish to advance. According to Esports Charts, MSC was the most-watched tournament at last year's EWC, recording 2.38 million peak concurrent viewers. The inaugural EWC saw SRG claim the championship, the USD 1,000,000 prize, and Malaysia's first international MLBB title.
One Game, Two Champions. As the world's most-watched mobile esports title of 2024, MLBB Esports continues to set the global benchmark for competitive excellence. Both MWI and MSC returned to EWC 25 as their most competitive versions yet — expanded representation, revamped formats, and gameplay pushed to the limit.
Now, looking back from 2026, I see MWI 2025 as a genuine turning point. The records, the prize pool, the representation — all of it raised the bar. If you're a young woman dreaming of esports, Vivian's advice still hits hardest: believe in yourself, focus on becoming better, and the results will come. The Queens of MLBB showed us that the throne is not a one-time seat. It's a legacy. And no cap, I can't wait to see who challenges them next.