MLBB Mid-Season Cup (MSC) 2026 prediction: Who will win? Preview

Wasif Ahmed Published July 22, 2026

The Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Mid-Season Cup (MSC) 2026 returns to the Esports World Cup (EWC) from July 22 to August 1.

A total of 16 teams will be competing for the title and a share of the $3 million prize pool. Furthermore, with clubs like Vitality, Falcons, and Team Liquid in the fray too, the tournament is also important for the EWC Club Championship 2026.

MSC 2026 prediction: Who will win?

Of the nine editions of the MSC held to date, four have been won by Filipino teams. The region has long established itself as the leader in MLBB esports, despite Indonesia boasting more viewers and Malaysia’s rise through Selangor Red Giants (SRG).

This year, the scenario is no different.

Team Liquid PH have qualified as the first seed from the Philippines after a stellar season in which they dropped only one match in the Regular Season and made an upper-bracket run to win MPL PH S17.

The defending champions are looking in top form in the 2026 season and are the undoubted favorites to win this time around in France too.

Following them closely, though, are the second seed from the Philippines, Team Falcons PH. Since Falcons acquired Blacklist International’s MPL slot in early 2025, the MSC is the first international tournament for which they have qualified.

However, in their five recent encounters against Team Liquid PH, they have won only twice. In both of their best-of-five encounters in 2026, though, Liquid have come out on top.

This still shows that they have what it takes but are still the second favorites which is something that is being reflected in the Mobile Legends betting odds.

Fans of Team Liquid at the MSC 2025 in Riyadh. Image credit: Esports Foundation

The other teams in contention are Malaysia’s SRG, along with Indonesia’s Vitality and ONIC.

SRG have shown over the past two years that they can never be counted out. Vitality, who are coming into the tournament after their female team recently won the MLBB Women’s Invitational (MWI) 2026, are looking to reclaim the throne for Indonesia.

Teams and format

The 16 teams have been split into two groups of eight teams each for the MSC 2026 group stage. These are as follows:

• Group A
  • Guangzhou Gaming
  • IGNITE Gaming
  • Team Falcons
  • Team Falcons PH
  • Team Spirit
  • Team Vamos
  • Team Vitality
  • True Rippers
• Group B
  • Aurora Gaming
  • Entity7
  • Geekay Esports
  • ONIC
  • PRO Esports
  • Selangor Red Giants
  • Team Liquid PH

They will battle it out in a double-elimination bracket, with four teams from each group advancing to the Knockout Stage.

The Knockout Stage will feature a single-elimination bracket to determine the MSC 2026 champions. Fans can tune in to all the action in various languages on the official MLBB esports YouTube channels, along with authorized co-streams.

Featured image credit: MOONTON