What is the MLBB Mid-Season Cup?

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) is one of the most watched esports worldwide, and largely, the game has two flagship international tournaments: the Mid-Season Cup (MSC) and the M World Championships. In this article, we will take a look at the MLBB Mid-Season Cup, its history, and all the details on the 2025 edition at the Esports World Cup.

The MLBB MSC, as the name suggests, is the mid-year international competition in the game’s yearly esports calendar. This tournament brings together top teams from around the world, qualified through regional competitions or the Professional Leagues (MPL).

It has a multi-million dollar prize pool, with the MSC 2025 putting $3 million up for grabs, making it one of the most anticipated tournaments of the year. Additionally, it’s also a part of the Esports World Cup, meaning that teams can earn Club Championship Points from it.

The tournament wasn’t always called the Mid-Season Cup, though. When it was established back in 2017, it was the (M)LBB (S)outheast Asia (C)up, therefore abbreviating it to MSC. This tournament brought together the best teams from SEA, which was the primary region for MLBB.

However, in 2023, the tournament was expanded to include international teams as well, with slots going to North America, Turkey, and MENA, as MOONTON pushed to make the game more global. At the time, it was still called the SEA Cup.

Finally, in 2024, the tournament was rebranded to the MLBB Mid-Season Cup and was held in the inaugural Esports World Cup. Its prize pool was 10 times more than the previous SEA Cup. Malaysia’s Selangor Red Giants rose to a historic victory at the event.

Now, the MLBB MSC 2025 returns to Riyadh from July 10 to August 2, 2025, with $3 million on the line.

If you are wondering how does the MLBB Mid-Season Cup work, it features a three-stage format in 2025. The MLBB MSC schedule is as follows: 

The Wildcard will see eight teams competing for the last slot in the MLBB MSC 2025 Group Stage. 

The MLBB Mid-Season Cup format for the Group Stage will see the 16 teams evenly distributed into two groups. Each group will feature a double-elimination bracket with the top four advancing to the Knockout Stage.

Finally, the Knockout Stage will see the eight teams competing in a single-elimination bracket to determine the winners, who will walk away with a staggering $1 million.

The total MLBB MSC prize pool stands at $3 million, while the runners-up will pocket $500,000.

With 23 teams competing across the MSC 2025 (Wildcard and Group Stage included), there are a lot of storylines to follow. Below is a list of notable participants:

The defending world champions had an interesting 2024 season. They participated in the MPL PH Season 13 as Fnatic Onic PH, as the European org looked to compete in the Club Championship. There are many of these partnerships this year, as Club Championship rules state that such collaborations won’t contribute to the standings.

Last year, they failed to qualify for Riyadh. Now, after winning the M6, all three stages of the Snapdragon Pro Series, and coming in second at the MPL PH S15, they are one of the favourites among the many MLBB MSC teams.

Selangor Red Giants are competing as SRG OG this year and are looking to defend their title and return Malaysia, a region increasingly becoming competitive in MLBB, to the top. The team came in third at the M6 in their home country last year.

OG Esports is one of the few esports organisations to be dropped from the Esports World Cup Foundation’s Club Partner Program in 2025 and also has a point to prove at the tournament.

That’s right, both of ONIC’s teams have qualified as first seeds from their respective regions. After “Kairi” Ygnacio Rayoddelsol, the team signed a second Filipino player in Nowee “Ryota” Macasa at the start of the season.

While the team couldn’t leave a mark in the Snapdragon Pro Series, they will be looking to turn their fortunes around in Saudi Arabia. After all, it’s been two years since Indonesia tasted international glory. The last time was in the MSC 2023 courtesy of ONIC itself.

Another team with a point to prove is the CIS region’s Team Spirit. They were the talk of the town at the M6 World Championship, having put up an underdog performance to come in fourth place at the tournament.

Now, returning with the same roster, the team needs to prove that it wasn’t a fluke and they are here to stay as one of the leading rosters in the game.

The MSC has been running for eight years, and here’s the full list of winners with the region the champions belong to:

The MLBB Mid-Season Cup (MSC) is one of the most anticipated events in the MOBA game’s esports calendar. With $3 million on the line in 2025 and Esports World Cup’s Club Championship points up for grabs, the stakes are higher than ever.

Running from July 10 to August 2, a total of 23 teams will compete, with the winner walking away a million dollars richer. A lengthy format split into the Wildcard, Group Stage, and the Knockout Stage gives plenty of action for fans.