International gaming developer and publisher MOONTON Games has signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) to co-host the M5 World Championship, the world's biggest Mobile Legends: Bang Bang esports event that kickstarts in Manila on December 2, 2023, with early bird prices, tournament venues, and ticket sales announced at the ceremony.
Held at EVM Convention Center, the partnership cements the official endorsement of MOONTON Games hosting the international championship in Manila. It establishes the framework between the global developer and DOT for hosting the tournament. It is set to welcome tens of thousands of offline fans across three weeks and millions of online viewers.
Momentual partnership set to drive esports tourism
The MoA was penned by DOT Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Atty. Mae Elaine T. Bathan, Office of Film and Sports Tourism Director Robby Alabado III, MOONTON Games Philippines Esports Head Logan Shaw, and Regional PR Manager Keith Medrano. MOONTON Games Regional Esports Marketing Lead Mabel Zhang was also present during the signing.
"The Philippines is one of the biggest Mobile Legends: Bang Bang markets and among the strongest regions in MLBB esports. It is prime time to host the M5 World Championship in Manila, and we are excited to bring local and global MLBB communities together in this memorable event," says MOONTON Games PH Esports Head Logan Shaw.
"It is an immense honor to work with DOT for the international tournament, and we are grateful for their support. We hope to bring a greater level of esports tourism to the nation and simultaneously deliver an exceptional viewership experience to the fans."
"We are proud to be part of history as we welcome participants in our country. We know many Filipinos play and support the game. Today, our esports industry stands on the edge of this tremendous growth, attracting a diverse audience, and we would like to take advantage of this diversity and convert them into tourists who love our country and explore further the bounty of our nation," says DOT Chief of Staff Atty. Mae Elaine Bathan.
"Our secretary and the Department of Tourism has pushed further to embrace esports as an integral part of our Sports Tourism landscape."
With a global monthly active user base of 105 million and legions of esports fans worldwide, including Southeast Asia, Latin America, Mongolia, the Middle East and South Africa, the M5 World Championship will introduce several tourism initiatives in partnership with DOT that will be unveiled at a later date.
Catch the early bird ticket sales for the Group, Knockout and Grand Finals Stages!
Unveiled at the DOT and MOONTON Games MoA, the ceremony showcased the corresponding tournament format and venues, along with the early bird ticket prices that can be purchased at https://slashevent.com/e/m5-world-championship:
Wild Card (Malaysia)
Venue: Jio Space, Lot 1, Jalan 19/1b, Seksyen 19, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Dates: November 23 - 26, 2023
Group Stage & Knockout Stage Phase I
Venue: EVM Convention Center, 37 Central Ave, Quezon City, Philippines
Dates: December 2 - 12, 2023
Knockout Stage Phase II and Grand Finals
Venue: Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Ocampo St., Malate, Manila, Philippines
Dates: December 15 - 17, 2023
Grab the PH Super Pass and MVP Pass early bird ticket bundles, that will go on sale today till 3 November. Both passes are available in limited quantities and allow buyers access to the Group Stage, Knockout, and Grand Finals in Manila, so be sure to secure them quickly! Details of the ticket bundles are as follows:
PH Super Pass
- Fans of MPL PH teams are in for a treat - the PH Super Pass offers access to all matches that feature either of the qualifying Filipino teams (MPL PH representatives).
- This entitlement applies to all matches that the MPL PH representatives are participating in, and pass holders will be allocated seats at the Legend area in the Group Stage, and Mythic area in the Grand Finals, respectively.
- Each pass is priced at ₱2,899.00 (USD 51.70), that comes with a limited edition M5 World Championship hoodie.
MVP Pass
- Catered for fans looking to purchase on a per-match basis, the MVP Pass offers fans exclusive access to front row seats and priority access, alongside express access for team meet-and-greet sessions.
- Based on Group Stage, Knockout Stage and Grand Finals selection, MVP Pass holders can receive M5 World Championship merchandise
And the surprises don't stop for MPL PH fans. Ticket holders for MPL PH S12 will be entitled to a unique promotional code tied to their email addresses, used to purchase for the Playoffs taking place between October 25 - 29:
- All MPL-PH ticket buyers (Oct 25-29 event dates) will be entitled to a 10% discount code for M5 regular tickets, which will be on sale starting November 4, 2023, via SLASH.
- MPL PH Playoff ticket holders will receive a reminder through their emails, and users are required to input their respective email addresses to purchase the respective M5 passes at 10% off (the promotion code will be the email that they use to purchase the MPL PH S12 Playoffs)
- The discount can only be redeemed once, and it is advised not to share your respective promotional codes with anyone else or to share on social media
- The discount code will be valid from November 4 to December 16, 2023
This year, the M5 World Championship makes history as it introduces the Wild Card format that will take place in Malaysia from November 23-26, 2023. The top two teams proceed to the main stage, making this iteration the most extensive and diversified Mobile Legends: Bang Bang international tournament, featuring 15 regions and 69 countries from five continents. To celebrate, a fan conference will be held in the Philippines to commemorate the MPL PH representatives with their families and fans ahead of the Group Stage. Watch parties will be hosted across the globe, featuring popular MLBB talents as well. More details on offline activations will be shared at a later date.
For more information on Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, please refer to the following links below or download the game at the App Store and Play Store.
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