PHNOM PENH, 18 JUNE – The M5 World Championship will introduce a Wild Card format in addition to the Group and Knockout stages of the competition. Marking its fifth anniversary, the M-Series turns to a new chapter with a new and upgraded tournament model to boost the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang esports ecosystem.
This marks the first time the international MOBA tournament has introduced the format to the prestigious M-series, involving both mature and emerging regions. The move serves to empower the global esports ecosystem with more opportunities to engage in cross-regional dialogues and encourage inclusivity.
The Wild Card will be hosted in November, featuring eight regions in a different country, followed by the Group and Knockout Stages at the Philippines in December. The M5 Champion will walk away with the lion's share of USD 900,000 (Php50 million).
The list of confirmed regions as of this time of writing for the Wild Card include: Malaysia, Mekong, Latin America, South Asia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), and Mongolia. The remaining (two) regions will be announced at a later date.
Direct / Invited |
|
|
Regions |
Slot Allocation |
|
Philippines |
2 - Champion and Runner-up from MPL Philippines |
|
Indonesia |
2 - Champion and Runner-up from MPL Indonesia |
|
Latin America |
2 - Champion and Runner-up from LIGA LATAM |
|
Malaysia |
1 - MPL Malaysia Champion |
|
Singapore |
1 - MPL Singapore Champion |
|
Cambodia |
1 - MPL Cambodia Champion |
|
Myanmar |
1 - M5 Myanmar Qualifier Champion |
|
North America |
1 - North America Challenger Tournament Champion |
|
Türkiye |
1 - MLBB Türkiye Championship Champion |
|
MENA |
1 - MPL Middle East & North Africa Champion |
|
EECA |
1 - Champion from MLBB Continental Championships |
Wild Card (Subject to Change for Regions, Two More To Be Confirmed) |
|
|
Regions |
Slot Allocation |
|
Malaysia |
1 - Runner-up from MPL Malaysia |
|
MEKONG |
1 - Champion of M5 MEKONG Qualifier |
|
Latin America |
1 - Third placement from LIGA LATAM |
|
South Asia |
1 - Winner from MLBB Champions Battle |
|
EECA |
1 - Runner-up from MLBB Continental Championships |
|
Mongolia |
1 - M5 World Championship National Wild Card Qualifier Mongolia |
|
To be confirmed |
To be confirmed |
|
To be confirmed |
To be confirmed |
Potential regions
With the announcement of the two unconfirmed regions, comes the limitless possibilities to further expound the scene.
Japan who was considered a dark horse region in the first world championship and was last seen back in the M2 tournament might be a prospect that MOONTON could potentially revive.
Then with the release of the game to the Chinese market, a new region could emerge that could challenge the dominance of the SEA region.
And with Europe being overlooked, perhaps we could see MOONTON further tapping into their market.
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