MWI 2025 brings biggest MLBB women’s esports event yet to Esports World Cup
Photo from Mobile Legends Esports
MWI 2025 brings biggest MLBB women’s esports event yet to Esports World Cup
The Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women’s Invitational (MWI) returns with a new fire at the 2025 Esports World Cup, now featuring a record 16-team lineup, a revamped tournament format, and a massive USD 500,000 prize pool, making it the largest MLBB women’s event in history.
The tournament is set from July 15 to 19, gathering the best female Mobile Legends squads from across the globe—including debuting regions such as Türkiye, Mongolia, and Africa—as they fight for the most prestigious crown in MLBB women’s esports.
This year’s edition will not only raise the competitive bar but also mark a major step in MOONTON Games’ vision for inclusivity and global representation in the scene.
New format, new stakes
MWI 2025 shakes off its previous BO2 group phase in favor of a Best-of-Three (BO3) double-elimination group stage, followed by a BO3 single-elim Knockout Stage. For the first time, the tournament also features a BO5 third-place match and a Best-of-Seven Grand Finals, mirroring the format used in the MLBB Mid Season Cup (MSC).
The changes aim to reward consistency and strategy over fluke results, while also giving more chances for teams to showcase their talent.
“This new structure reflects the evolution of the women’s scene,” said Ray Ng, Head of Esports Ecosystem at MOONTON Games. “MWI at EWC 25 demonstrates how we stay at the forefront of championing women’s esports, providing a sustainable pathway for female athletes.”
16 teams, one crown
Following qualifiers across a record 57 regions, 16 teams have booked their tickets to Riyadh. Among the top contenders is Natus Vincere PH, the reigning MWI champions who stunned the world in 2024 by sweeping Indonesia’s Team Vitality 3–0 in the finals and ending their 24-match winning streak.
Vitality, headlined by sister duo Michelle “Chell” Siswanto and Cindy “Cinny” Siswanto, will be seeking redemption. The two were recently featured in Amazon Prime’s “Level Up”, highlighting their journey through the highs and lows of the MLBB pro scene.
This year’s tournament also highlights first-time participants from underrepresented regions, underlining MWI’s growing global reach. It continues the legacy of MWI 2024, which was the most-watched women’s MLBB event to date with over 2.5 million Hours Watched, based on Esports Charts data.
Big prize, bigger message
The total prize pool of USD 500,000 will be distributed across all participating teams, with the champion bringing home USD 150,000. More than just numbers, the prize pool signifies a strong commitment to building careers for female players and legitimizing women’s esports as a core pillar of the MLBB ecosystem.
MWI 2025 is not just a tournament—it’s a movement. It complements MLBB’s flagship “One Game, Two Champions” campaign at the Esports World Cup, running alongside the MSC 2025.
MOONTON’s efforts are also in sync with their broader initiatives, including women’s MLBB tournaments at the 2024 Asian Esports Games, IESF WEC, and the upcoming 33rd SEA Games.
As MWI continues to grow in scope, prize pool, and viewership, MLBB women’s esports sets the standard not only for mobile gaming but also for what inclusive competition can look like on the world stage.
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