With the first event in the highly anticipated Esports World Cup 2024 beginning on June 28, fans are eagerly waiting for the action to start. After all, there will be 22 events across 21 different video game titles, meaning a whole lot of action for viewers across multiple games in a format rarely seen before.
The first esports name to kick things off tomorrow is Mobile Legends: Bang Bang via the Wild Card stage of its second international in-season major, the MLBB Mid Season Cup 2024. This S-Tier event will run till July 14, with 23 of the world's best teams vying for a massive prize pool of $3 million, the largest ever in the game's competitive history.
Readers must note that the game's usual mid-season tournament — MLBB Southeast Asia Cup — has been replaced by the MSC 2024. Moreover, the much-followed women's competition, MLBB Women's Invitational 2024, will head to the Boulevard Riyadh City in Saudi Arabia's capital as part of the cross-event spectacle.
With the West Asian country getting ready for over two months of intense esports action, Esports Charts has prepared a primer of sorts for fans of MLBB. We have segregated all the participating teams by the likelihood of success, popularity, and their reputation in the global community.
Main contenders
Fnatic ONIC
This team has legitimate claims to being the most successful in the discipline, having finished world championship runners-up twice and won six of the 13 MPL Indonesia seasons, including the last four. Another finalist finish means it has made the Grand Final in more than half of these leagues. With Fnatic's involvement this year, the side will expect to add another international trophy to its kitty, especially since it is sort of the defending champion of this event having won the MLBB Southeast Asia Cup 2023.
Team Liquid Echo
Another popular Asian side to see Western investment in the form of Team Liquid ahead of the EWC 2024 is Echo. The M4 World Championship winner has been one of the Philippines' most consistent sides. Its honors list may show just two wins and one runner-up finish in its regional MLBB Professional League, but it remains a contender at every competition, especially after its start after the abovementioned merger began with victory at the MPL Philippines Season 13.
Falcons AP.Bren
A second side from the Philippines to make this tier is Falcons AP.Bren, who also went under the guises of Bren Esports and AP.Bren. The only two-time world champion in the sport, this organization will be looking to add another feather to its glorious cap with victory in Riyadh, with its preparations including top-two finishes in the two main tournaments it has participated in so far.
Dark horses
EVOS Glory
The second Indonesian name here — pointing to the dominance that teams from this country have enjoyed, alongside the Philippines on the world stage — is EVOS Glory. Despite being the first-ever world champion in the discipline and winning two MPL Indonesia seasons, the side's recent results might seem disappointing to fans, including two runner-up finishes in the last three editions of its regional league. That is the only reason it could not make the first tier of teams, but knowing how things can change, they can rest assured that it remains a top contender for the MSC 2024.
Team Falcons
The team flying the flag high for Saudi Arabia's recent push into the esports competitive scene, Team Falcons has been pretty consistent at the regional stage, including winning the MPL MENA Season 5. However, its record on the international stage is a bit iffy, albeit over a short period, but the side will hope that a strong home crowd will push it to do amazing things over the next two 18 days.
Selangor Red Giants
Selangor Red Giants is the esports division of Malaysia Super League side Selangor Football Club and the MPL Malaysia Season 13 champion. Also known as Red Giants Esports, the side was exceptional during its run to a maiden league title, finishing with a map count stood at 28 wins and 3 losses. In fact, it did lose a single map during the group stage, and having never finished higher than third in this regional Professional League, it will hope to continue this momentum and go far in its first proper global championship.
See You Soon
Cambodia's biggest chance at making a mark at this global event is See You Soon, which is coming in as the reigning MPL Cambodia season winner. Its performances in international competitions have been so-so, but fans from the Southeast Asian nation will hope it can put in a decent showing.
BloodThirstyKings
Another side acquired by a big name this year, BloodThirstyKings was taken over by fellow American organization Cloud9 earlier this month. Despite Western teams not really known to do well at multinational tournaments, the former went as far as finishing third at the M3 World Championship and has been a regular winner in its region as well. Fans can expect the side, under its new guise, to push the more fancied teams and create some buzz at the MSC 2024.
HomeBois
A recent MLBB name to emerge from Malaysia, HomeBois will not be happy that it has to come through the Wild card stage at the MSC 2024. However, having finished on the podium in the last three iterations of its regional league, the side will hope to make up for missing out to Selangor Red Giants by going far in Riyadh and becoming its country's first international winner.
RRQ Akira
Despite not being nearly as popular as its sister roster from Indonesia, RRQ Hoshi, success has been much more forthcoming for RRQ Akira recently. While the former struggles to capture the glory days of its wins at the MLBB World Championship and its regional league, RRQ Akira has been highly consistent and extremely hard to beat. With an honors board that has seen it win all the editions of the erstwhile MPL Brazil and the first season of the revamped MPL Latam Season 1, it will hope to emulate RRQ Hoshi by winning an international crown and add to the legacy of the Rex Regum Qeon brand.
Remaining sides at the MSC 2024
| Team | Region |
|---|---|
 |
MENA |
 |
Singapore |
 |
CIS |
 |
Turkey
|
 |
Myanmar
|
 |
China |
 |
LATAM |
 |
CIS |
 |
Turkey |
 |
Vietnam |
 |
Nepal |
 |
Mongolia |
 |
China |
The remaining sides at this inaugural MLBB tournament will work hard to perform well and leave a mark. Being an event with multiple stages, there is always a chance for them to cause a stir with some unexpected displays and make their regions/countries proud.
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