Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), the flagship title of international game developer MOONTON Games, will return to the annual Esports World Cup (EWC), taking the centre stage this time with more participating regions and an expanded competitive structure under its globalisation and five-region overhaul strategy.
With a combined USD 3,500,000 prize pool and an expanded slate of qualification pathways, MLBB at EWC 26 reflects the game's sustained momentum and long-term commitment to building a truly inclusive, world-class esports ecosystem.
The MLBB Mid Season Cup (MSC) at EWC26 will feature 16 of the world's top MLBB teams, earning their places through an increasingly robust international qualification system spanning major professional leagues and regional championships.
In line with MLBB's five-region overhaul strategy, MSC at EWC26 will feature its biggest Wild Card to date, with 10 teams, including those from Western Europe. This expansion strengthens the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), alongside SEA (Southeast Asia), AMER (Americas), EECA (Eastern Europe and Central Asia), and EA (East Asia), further reinforcing MLBB's globally integrated competitive structure. The MSC at EWC26 Main Stage will welcome India, marking another important step in broadening regional participation on the world stage.
Meanwhile, the MLBB Women's Invitational (MWI) returns in EWC 26 with the introduction of the MWI 2026 Western Europe Qualifier, further reinforcing MLBB's broader global expansion strategy and commitment to advancing inclusivity and expanding regional representation in women's esports. MWI at EWC 26 starts from 13 to 17 July, and will feature 16 teams.
As reigning champions, Team Vitality will automatically secure a slot to defend their title as the world's strongest MLBB women's team, setting the stage for another highly competitive showdown. Last year, the team made history with their comeback arc to celebrate their third MWI title, cementing their legacy as the Queens of MLBB Esports. MWI remains a platform for women to stand amongst the world's best esports athletes.
Ray Ng, Head of Esports Ecosystem at MOONTON Games, said: "Through our five-region strategy and globalisation efforts, we are making the road to the world stage clearer and more accessible for every region. This means more chances for new MLBB players to prove themselves, for emerging regions to step up with confidence, and for our community to see their own stories reflected in the competition. At the same time, we are committed to ensuring that women in MLBB have meaningful platforms, structured pathways, and the visibility they deserve."
At EWC 2025, MLBB emerged as one of the event's most-watched titles with over 47 million hours watched. This accounted for over 12% of total viewership across all 25 disciplines at the world's largest multi-title esports event. The MSC also made history at EWC 2025, surpassing 3.26 million Peak Concurrent Viewers (PCV), according to Esports Charts.
With expanded regional participation, strengthened qualification pathways, and continued competitive growth, MLBB at EWC 26 further solidifies its standing as a leading global mobile esports powerhouse.
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