The M World Championship continues to be a flagship event for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and mobile esports. Each year, millions of fans follow the action, and the upcoming M6 World Championship is poised to set new viewership records.
This year introduces a new twist: the group stage will adopt the Swiss system. This format allows top teams to meet earlier in the tournament, not just in later rounds. Adding to the excitement, M6 will crown a new champion, as none of the previous winners have qualified. Esports Charts has shared insights into how these changes might influence viewership, including predictions for peak online audiences.
IMPACT OF THE NEW SWISS STAGE FORMAT ON TOURNAMENT STATISTICS
Unlike previous editions that used the GSL-style group format, the M6 group stage will feature a Swiss Stage, where all teams compete in a single pool and may face any opponent.
- Match formats: Initial matches will be best-of-1, while playoff-deciding and elimination games will use a best-of-3 format.
- Regional matchups: Teams from the same region can face each other at any stage, increasing the likelihood of early eliminations for top contenders. This setup could lead to high-stakes matches with record-breaking viewership during the group stage.
Key metrics for tournament success include Airtime and Average Viewers. Analysts estimate the Swiss Stage will have only a 1% variance in Airtime compared to M5’s group stage. However, viewer interest is expected to rise due to high-stakes best-of-3 matchups, potentially driving Swiss Stage viewership beyond previous group stage records.
WILL M6 BREAK MOBILE LEGENDS VIEWERSHIP RECORDS?
M World Championships have consistently delivered record-breaking numbers. M5 reached over 5 million Peak Viewers, and peak viewership for the series has not dropped below 3 million since the event began. Even the EWC X MLBB Mid-Season Cup 2024 achieved 2.3 million Peak Viewers despite timing challenges for Southeast Asian fans.
For M6, analysts predict at least 2.5 million Peak Viewers, with a high likelihood of surpassing the 5.15 million record set by M5. A grand final featuring teams from Indonesia and the Philippines, especially RRQ Hoshi, could drive these numbers higher. Teams like Team Liquid, Fnatic ONIC PH, Aurora Gaming, Selangor Red Giants, or Team Vamos could also contribute to strong viewership numbers depending on their performance.
EVENT DETAILS
Prize Pool: $1 million
Date: November 21–December 12, 2024
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia