Singapore to host Mobile Legends’ M2 World Championship from 18-24 Jan 2021
Update: The event will take place from 18 to 24 January
Singapore may have lost its chance to host a Dota 2 Major because of the coronavirus, but it will get to play host to another global esports event when the M2 World Championship comes around in January 2021.
The highlight of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang professional esports circuit, M2 will take place behind closed-doors at Shangri-La Singapore, with teams from across the globe competing for a US$300,000 prize pool, publisher Moonton said late on Tuesday (1 December).
The tournament will take place from 18 to 24 January, with a live online draw on 12 December.
Live Online Draw: 12 December 2020
Group Stage Phase 1: 18 January to 19 January 2021
Group Stage Phase 2: 20 January 2021
Playoffs: 22 January to 24 January 2021
Moonton also announced that the winning team would take US$140,000 of the prize pool, and also have its own skin with team branding on a hero of their choice.
“Mobile Legends traces much of its global success today to its roots in Southeast Asia and Moonton is very pleased to bring this great news to gamers everywhere with much thanks to the support of the Singapore government and our industry partners. This will be our most exciting event ever as our top players embark on this epic journey to battle it out in Singapore”, said Justin Yuan, co-founder and Chief Executive of Moonton.
These are the teams who have been invited to the tournament:
Brazil - DreamMax
Cambodia - Impunity KH
Indonesia - RRQ, Alter Ego Esports
Japan - 10s Gaming Frost
Malaysia - Todak
Myanmar - Burmese Ghouls
Philippines - Bren Esports, Omega Esports
Russia - Unique DeVu
Singapore - RSG, EVOS SG
The event is supported by the Singapore Tourism Board and the Singapore Cybersports and Online Gaming Association (SCOGA), and will be the first major offline tournament in Southeast Asia in 2021.
Jean Ng, Executive Director, Attractions, Entertainment & Tourism Concept Development at STB, said, “The growth of esports continues to accelerate especially in such uncertain times. We are heartened to welcome a global title like Mobile Legends, as we safely and gradually resume events in Singapore.”
“Moonton’s confidence in hosting the M2 World Championship in Singapore is a testament to our reputation as a safe and trusted destination and we will continue to step up the necessary precautionary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all visitors.”
Singapore’s coronavirus cases number at 58,228 and 29 fatalities as of 1 December. It has one of the lowest number of active cases, and was on track to open up a travel bubble with Hong Kong before a spike in cases in the territory popped that temporarily.
The Republic’s last major esports event was the ONE Esports Dota 2 World Pro Invitational last December, and fans would have been looking forward to the Singapore Major in June 2020 before its cancellation.
“Hosting one of the world’s biggest events right here in Singapore not only gives hope to so many esports fans in a time of unprecedented disruption, it also provides many opportunities to Singaporeans and encouragement to pursue their dreams and aspirations”, said Nicholas Khoo, co-founder of SCOGA.
The professional teams of the Mobile Legends Pro League (MPL) are currently in action in the online ONE Esports MPLI. Read all about the Yahoo Esports team’s predictions here.
For more esports news updates, visit https://yhoo.it/YahooEsportsSEA and check out Yahoo Esports Southeast Asia’s Facebook page.
Check out esports videos from Yahoo TV:
