The stage is officially set for the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid Season Cup (MSC) at the Esports World Cup 2025, and it’s already brimming with surprises. Virtus.pro, making their international MLBB debut, pulled off a stunning 3-1 victory against China’s Rare Atom on July 13 to claim the final Main Stage slot—capping off a Cinderella run through the Wild Card stage.
The action doesn’t stop there. With the Group Stage draw now complete, and the MLBB Women’s Invitational (MWI) kicking off July 15, the battle for global MLBB supremacy has officially begun.
Virtus.pro’s Wild Card Miracle
Coming from the Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) region, Virtus.pro (VP) defied all expectations to earn a coveted place among the world’s elite MLBB teams. Their win over Rare Atom in the Wild Card Finals was more than just a series victory—it was a statement that underdogs still have their day.
Their path was far from easy. VP clawed their way through MLBB Continental Championships (MCC) Season 5, navigating closed qualifiers, the regular season, lower bracket play-ins, and playoffs before finally grabbing the Wild Card slot. The team, made up of Andoryuuu, BadKot, Bober, superegorka, and Pluto, showcased grit and resilience, thriving under the pressure of EWC’s newly introduced BO3 double-elimination Wild Card format, capped off by a BO5 final.
Now, with a spot in the Main Stage (July 23–August 2) and a shot at the $3,000,000 prize pool, VP has earned the chance to go toe-to-toe with the biggest names in MLBB.
Group Stage Draw Revealed: High Stakes, Heavy Hitters
Fresh off their Wild Card win, VP finds themselves placed in Group A, alongside Selangor Red Giants OG Esports (SRG)—the defending MSC champions. The group already reads like a “Group of Death,” also featuring Team Liquid PH and ONIC ID, two MPL titans ready to clash on opening day, July 23.
Group B is no less intense. It includes reigning world champions ONIC PH, iconic squad RRQ Hoshi, and several regional contenders hungry for international glory. Notably, ONIC PH enters this tournament with a vengeance after losing their MPL PH crown to Team Liquid just weeks ago.
The Group Stage will run from July 23 to July 27, with 16 teams split across two groups. Teams will compete in a BO3 double-elimination format, making every match a test of depth and adaptability.
MLBB Women’s Invitational 2025 Kicks Off July 15
Before the MSC Main Stage begins, the spotlight shifts to the MLBB Women’s Invitational (MWI), returning as the largest women’s tournament on the global stage. Running from July 15–19, MWI 2025 will see 16 top-tier women’s teams from around the world battle it out for the $500,000 prize pool and the title of MLBB Queens.
The tournament begins with Group Stage matches (July 15–17) in a BO3, double-elimination format, followed by the Knockout Stage (July 17–18) in BO3 single-elimination, and culminating in a BO5 third-place match and a BO7 Grand Finals on July 19.
This year’s MWI is the largest yet, with participants from 57 qualifying regions and four debuting nations. It stands as a powerful symbol of inclusion and growth in esports, backed by MOONTON Games’ #Limitless initiative and new social channels on Instagram and TikTok to elevate women in the MLBB competitive scene.
MLBB Continues to Dominate the Esports World Cup
With MSC 2024 breaking viewership records and MWI 2024 drawing over 2.5 million hours watched, MLBB was the most-watched mobile title at last year’s EWC. All eyes are now on whether 2025 can top it.
This year’s campaign, branded under “One Game, Two Champions,” positions MSC and MWI as twin pillars of competitive excellence. With Virtus.pro’s fairytale debut and the women’s tournament raising the bar for diversity and prestige, MLBB is poised to dominate once again at the world’s biggest esports festival.
