Department of Tourism to co-host M5 World Championship with MOONTON Games
The upcoming M5 World Championship this year will be co-hosted by the Department of Tourism and MOONTON Games, the two entities revealed in a joint press conference at the EVM Convention Center in Quezon City last October 25, 2023.
M5 World Championship in the Philippines
The Memorandum of Agreement was inked by the Office of Film and Sports Tourism Director Robby Alabado III, Department of Tourism Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Atty. Mae Elaine T. Bathan, MOONTON Games Philippines Esports Head Logan Shaw, and Regional PR Manager Keith Medrano.
(L to R): Office of Film and Sports Tourism Director Robby Alabado III, Department of Tourism Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Atty. Mae Elaine T. Bathan, MOONTON Games Philippines Esports Head Logan Shaw, and Regional PR Manager Keith Medrano | via MPL Philippines, MOONTON Games
“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,” says MOONTON Games PH Esports Head Logan Shaw.
via MPL Philippines, MOONTON Games
The M5 World Championship is the first M-series to be hosted in the Philippines. The last time a MOONTON Games international event was held in the country was in 2019 for the annual MLBB Southeast Asia Cup.
“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,” said DOT Chief of Staff Atty. Mae Elaine Bathan.
via MPL Philippines, MOONTON Games
She added that the DOT is pushing to “embrace esports as an integral part of our Sports Tourism landscape.
The collaboration intends to introduce several tourism initiatives in partnership with other government sectors like PHILTOA and DFA along with local government units to ensure the safety and comfort of the fans and players.
The first half of the M5 World Championship is set to happen at the EVM Convention Center in Quezon City which has a seating capacity of almost 5,000.
The tournament will culminate at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, an apt venue for the purposes of both the DOT and MOONTON Games, which has a seating capacity of over 6,000.
via MPL Philippines, MOONTON Games
Speaking to the media, MOONTON Games Regional PR Manager Keith Medrano also hinted that the Rizal Memorial Stadium will also be converted into event grounds to celebrate Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. The stadium has a capacity over double that of the Coliseum.
The M5 World Championship, including the new Wild Card stage that will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, begins on November 23rd and will end on December 17th.
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