MLBB is a popular game worldwide, especially in Southeast Asia (SEA). As a result, MLBB has been chosen as the main esports title for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games for the 4th consecutive year. The tournament is scheduled to take place in Thailand in 2025.
What is the SEA Games 2025?
Image Credits: MLBB Esports
The Southeast Asian Games, known as SEA Games, is a sporting event involving 11 countries in Southeast Asia. It occurs biennially, with each country sending its top athletes to compete in various sports. Esports were included in the event starting from 2019. The upcoming SEA Games will be held from Dec. 9th to Dec. 20th, 2025, in Thailand, with Bangkok Metropolitan Region, Chonburi, and Songkhla as the host cities.
The 2019 SEA Games took place in the Philippines and introduced games like Dota 2, Tekken 7, and MLBB. The number of showcased games has since increased to 9, with additions like PUBG Mobile and League of Legends. The first MLBB tournament at the SEA Games featured nine teams, each representing their country.
History of MLBB and the SEA GAMES
Image Credits: MLBB Esports
The MLBB tournament at the SEA Games consists of group and playoffs stages, with the grand finals as a best of five (B05) series. The Philippines’ national men’s team has won the tournament three times in a row since 2019. In the 2023 event, an all-female MLBB esports competition was included, with the Indonesian women’s team clinching the gold medal. With MLBB being the primary esports title for the 2025 event, it is expected that 11 teams will participate in both men’s and women’s tournaments.
The MPL Philippines finals recently took place, with Fnatic ONIC PH emerging as the champions. This victory earned them a spot in the MLBB M6 World Championship. Whether the Philippines can continue their winning streak and secure a fourth consecutive gold medal remains to be seen.
