Mobile Legends developer Moonton Games has partnered with the Department of Tourism (DOT) to co-host the M5 World Championship in the Philippines.
The world's biggest Mobile Legends: Bang Bang esports event will be held on December 2, 2023, in Manila.
The signing of the memorandum of agreement (MoA), which was held at the EVM Convention Center, solidifies MOONTON Games' formal support for holding the international tournament in Manila. It creates the foundation for the tournament's hosting between the global developer and the DOT. It is expected to draw tens of thousands of offline fans and millions of online viewers over the course of three weeks.
The MoA was inked by DOT Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Atty. Mae Elaine Bathan, Office of Film and Sports Tourism Director Robby Alabado III, MOONTON Games Philippines Esports Head Logan Shaw, and Regional PR Manager Keith Medrano. Mabel Zhang, Regional Esports Marketing Lead at MOONTON Games, was also present during the signing.
MOONTON Games PH Esports Head Logan Shaw said:
The Philippines is one of the biggest Mobile Legends: Bang Bang markets and among the strongest regions in MLBB esports. It is prime time to host the M5 World Championship in Manila, and we are excited to bring local and global MLBB communities together in this memorable event. It is an immense honor to work with DOT for the international tournament, and we are grateful for their support. We hope to bring a greater level of esports tourism to the nation and simultaneously deliver an exceptional viewership experience to the fans.
DOT Chief of Staff Atty. Mae Elaine Bathan said:
We are proud to be part of history as we welcome participants in our country. We know many Filipinos play and support the game. Today, our esports industry stands on the edge of this tremendous growth, attracting a diverse audience, and we would like to take advantage of this diversity and convert them into tourists who love our country and explore further the bounty of our nation. Our secretary and the Department of Tourism has pushed further to embrace esports as an integral part of our Sports Tourism landscape.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) has a global monthly active user base of 105 million and a huge following of e-sports fans all over the world, including in Southeast Asia, Latin America, Mongolia, the Middle East, and South Africa.
The M5 World Championship will launch several tourism initiatives in collaboration with DOT, which will be announced at a later date.