MLBB: China pre-season invitational launched

A battle to determine who represents China in the biggest MLBB event ever is now underway.

MOONTON Games, the developer of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, has announced that the 2024 MLBB CN Pre-season Invitational has officially launched March 21st. The competition is divided into two stages. Stage 1 features eight teams, including JDG, Keep Best Gaming or KBG, LL, MYG, NOVA, XYG, MXG, and MAX. 

After completing the two stages, the top-ranked teams will advance to the Esports World Cup (EWC) China Qualification Tournament, which is in conjunction with the Mid-Season Cup (MSC). 

“We hope to create a stable competition system for local clubs quickly, establish competitive training opportunities for professional players, and bring the highest level of competition content for players who are looking forward to the launch and testing of MLBB CN in the short term,” said Mike Chu, the Head of the MLBB Esports in China.

He added, “we will strive to provide professional opportunities to grassroots and professional Chinese players, showcasing the growth, strength, and potential of Chinese esports to an audience of over one billion global players; we will also bring a new mobile MOBA track to esports clubs and partners, working side by side with teams leading more than over 50 countries and regions to help our partners establish greater globalization opportunities.” 

Chu also thanked teams who participated in making the tournament possible, saying, “we look forward to Chinese clubs and players achieving their potential on the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang global stage. We welcome esports teams and players to consider joining us on MLBB CN.” 

Last March 3, NOVA Esports won their first MLBB championship title in China, as well as the first-ever MLBB tourney in the country.

NOVA Esports CEO Li Tingting stated, “NOVA Esports has always prioritized the growth and expansion of esports globally. Joining MLBB CN and learning more about the tournament and local esports roadmap has made us very optimistic about the path of its global esports ecosystem. We look forward to participating in the 2024 MLBB CN tournament, with a long-term goal in mind to win all related tournaments. Our current goal is to obtain a direct spot in the Esports World Cup (EWC) held in Saudi Arabia, represent China, and compete with many overseas rivals.” 

In November 2023, KBG represented Team China in the M5 World Championship Wild Card tournament. As the first team to represent Team China to step onto the global stage of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang event, Zhao Yuan, CEO of KBG said, “In the M5 Wild Card tournament, KBG experienced the intensity of the MLBB global competition and the enthusiastic atmosphere of the event. With the rapid development of Chinese esports in the MOBA domain, MLBB CN is one of the pioneering leaders. Among many Chinese teams, KBG is honored to join the MLBB global esports ecosystem as a domestic pioneer, and together promote and witness the launch and development of MLBB CN to exert a healthy and positive social influence.”

The global Mobile Legends: Bang Bang esports ecosystem has accelerated in terms of growth over the last two years. In January 2024, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Esports and the Esports World Cup Foundation jointly announced the MOBA title as the first participating esports title. Come July, the Mid Season Cup and the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women’s Invitational will kick off in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. China was allocated two slots in the MSC Wild Card format and the main group stage event.

MLBB’s entry to China comes as the country’s most popular MOBA game, Honor of Kings, is eyeing a global expansion.

The 2024 MLBB CN Pre-season Invitational will last until March 31st.