October 31, 2024 | Luckshots Sports Desk
MANILA, Philippines — Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) is set to be the main event in the esports lineup of the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, scheduled for December 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand. Moonton Games, in collaboration with the Thailand E-Sports Federation (TESF), made the announcement, spotlighting the increasing prominence of esports in regional sports events.
A Milestone for Esports and Thai Gaming Community
Ray Ng, Moonton Games’ head of esports ecosystem, expressed enthusiasm over MLBB’s continued presence as a medalled sport:
“Our goal has always been to make esports accessible and inclusive, allowing aspiring athletes to compete on global platforms like the SEA Games. With the inclusion of MLBB, we’re witnessing greater acceptance of esports as a sport in Thailand and beyond.”
Ng added that Thailand’s esports community, especially among women players, has seen remarkable growth. He credited the TESF partnership with creating more opportunities to support the thriving esports community in Thailand, which has benefited from initiatives like the Asian Esports Games (AEG) set to be held in Bangkok later this year.
SEA Games and MLBB’s Growing Audience
The 33rd SEA Games marks MLBB’s fourth consecutive appearance as a medalled event. As one of the most-watched esports tournaments, MLBB’s men’s event has previously drawn peak concurrent views of up to 1.4 million, while the women’s division saw 1.3 million viewers.
TESF President Santi Lothong emphasized Thailand’s position as a leading esports market in Southeast Asia, noting the untapped potential for further growth:
“The support from game developers like Moonton Games is essential in building platforms for talents to pursue their dreams and represent their countries on the world stage.”
The Philippines: A Force in SEA Games Esports
The Philippines has made a strong mark in SEA Games esports, holding the record for the most esports gold medals (seven) and overall medals (15). The country’s national esports team, Sibol, remains undefeated in the MLBB event, winning gold in each of the last three SEA Games.
In the 32nd SEA Games, seven esports titles featured, including MLBB, FIFA Online 4, Crossfire, League of Legends: Wild Rift, PUBG Mobile, Mission Against Terror, and Valorant. With MLBB headlining once again, the competition in Bangkok promises to deliver even greater excitement and viewership.
Stay updated with Luckshots as we bring you the latest news on the SEA Games and the rise of esports in Southeast Asia!