MLBB Women’s Invitational at EWC 2025 Highlights Growth in Female Esports

Week 2 of the Esports World Cup 2025 is already underway in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the highlight of the week is the MLBB Women's Invitational (MWI). This particular event is already coming back for the second time in EWC, and fans are already waiting for it. Women from across the globe now meet up to display their abilities in mobile gaming.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, in its initial appearance in 2016, has been raking a lot of success in esports. Tournaments and leagues all around, people watching all over the place. The game has over 110 million players who play monthly, so it's honestly huge in mobile MOBA. Last year, everyone was stunned when Smart Omega Empress, with full-Filipino teams, defeated Team Vitality and snapped a 24-match winning streak. That final, a great many people view it, more than 265,000, they post online. It becomes a moment that will forever be remembered by fans.

It’s expanded more than last time

This time, MWI received more teams than they did the last time. Previously, it was 12, now 16. Also, qualifiers took place in 57 locations. Previously, they only had 46. So that means EWC and MOONTON are still putting in the effort to provide more opportunities for women. Ray Ng, working in MOONTON, comments that this is not a typical tournament. He adds that they attempt to open and stabilize esports for all. This tournament, being the largest for women in EWC this year, is a positive step, but also additional work to continue improving.

Now the winners from before they're returning, but now with a new name. They used to be Smart Omega Esports, now they are Natus Vincere PH. They're gonna attempt to win again, but Team Vitality is returning stronger too from those few rematches. Another team from Natus Vincere is from Malaysia, ready to play as well.

So, this time, 16 teams will be competing for $500,000 prize. Also, one MVP will receive $50,000 extra, and a total of 3,350 Club Championship points are there too. The teams are from 13 locations: Team Vitality, ONIC Pertiwi, Natus Vincere PH, Team Liquid, Natus Vincere MY, SFU Serendipity, Falcons Vega MENA, DreamMax Girls, Rising Rage, WAOW GG Esports, and Virtus.pro FE, FUT Esports, Gaimin Gladiators, Twisted Minds Orchid, Tidal Legends Gaming, and Terror Queens.

Also Read: Manjuu’s Azur Promillia Closed Beta: Visual Enhancements and Fresh Gameplay Explained

Many of the best esports teams are now beginning to consider women's MLBB teams. Natus Vincere, Liquid, and Virtus.pro are already on board, and they are not small-time names. With them competing against tough teams like Vitality and Falcons, this MWI could turn the tables for the Club Championship.

Written by Farjana Jamal, Freelancer, India Today Gaming.