MOONTON Confirms 16-Team Slot Allocation for MWI at Esports World Cup
MOONTON Games has finalized the qualification structure for the MLBB Women’s Invitational (MWI) 2026, confirming a 16-team lineup for the tournament at the 2026 Esports World Cup.
MWI 2026 will run from July 13 to 17 and remains the only EWC international event exclusively for female players. The competition continues to serve as the premier global stage for women’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang esports.
Team Vitality Secures Title Defense Slot
Reigning champions Team Vitality receive an automatic berth to defend their MWI crown. The remaining 15 slots will be determined through regional qualification tournaments, with each region sending its champion to Riyadh.
Indonesia earns an additional slot alongside the defending champions, while the Philippines, Malaysia/Singapore, Cambodia, Myanmar, and the Mekong region will each field one representative.
Global Expansion: East Asia, Americas, MENA, and Europe
Outside Southeast Asia, East Asia will send two representatives through the champions of China and Mongolia. MENA, Africa, North America, South America, and Türkiye will also receive one slot each through their respective regional qualifiers.
Western Europe will make its MWI debut in 2026, marking a milestone for the region’s growing MLBB community. The inclusion signals MOONTON’s continued push into the emerging European MLBB scene.
Two women’s tournaments have also been confirmed as official qualification paths. The champions of Lady MVP Season 9 will represent EECA, while the winners of Queen Legends Season 3 will secure Cambodia’s slot at MWI 2026.
Format and Prize Pool Remain Intact
MWI 2026 retains its USD 500,000 prize pool, distributed among all 16 teams across the week-long competition.
The group stage will mirror the MSC format. Teams will be divided into two groups of eight and compete in a best-of-three, double-elimination bracket. The top four teams from each group will advance to the playoffs.
The knockout stage will follow a single-elimination format. Quarterfinals will be played in best-of-three series, semifinals in best-of-five, and the grand final in a best-of-seven showdown.