Mobile Legends Revamps Mid-Season Cup Format for 2025 Esports World Cup

• The Wild Card stage now adopts a BO3 double-elimination format.
• Similarly, the Group Stage moves to BO3 double-elimination, offering teams with perfect records a strategic bonus.
• Knockout matches will be BO5, building toward a climactic BO7 Grand Finals.

The competitive intensity has been elevated for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang at the 2025 Esports World Cup, as Moonton unveils a revamped format for the Mid Season Cup (MSC). Centered on the theme #EncounterTheUnknown, the update introduces structural changes while maintaining the total prize pool at USD 3 million.

A key change for MLBB MSC 2025 is the updated format for both the Wild Card and Group Stages, aimed at rewarding consistency, adaptability, and strategic depth. The Wild Card phase now switches to a Best-of-Three (BO3) double-elimination GSL format, replacing the previous single round-robin system.

The eight Wild Card teams will be split into two groups. The top two from each group will advance to a cross-group Semi Final. The winners of those matches will then compete in a BO5 decider, with only one team earning a spot in the main event.

The Group Stage also sees a significant shift, moving from BO2 to a BO3 double-elimination format. Sixteen teams will be divided into two groups, with only the top four from each progressing to the Knockout Stage.

Here, a new drafting mechanic takes effect. Teams finishing with a flawless 2-0 record gain the ability to select their Knockout Stage opponents from among the 2-1 teams. The team with the fastest total match time gets the first choice, adding strategic importance to every moment of play.

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This year's MSC also debuts a third-place match for the first time, giving Semi-Finalists another opportunity to reach the podium. The Knockout Stage will feature BO5 single-elimination matches, culminating in an expanded Best-of-Seven series for the Grand Finals.

The prize pool stays at $3 million. The champion will receive $1 million, the runner-up gets $500,000, and third place is awarded $250,000—an increase from last year's $200,000.