Mobile esports witnessed a remarkable year in 2025, with Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) dominating viewership across the most-watched events. According to Esports Charts, the MLBB Professional League (MPL) Indonesia Season 15 led the pack, amassing an impressive 113.2 million hours viewed. Following closely was MPL Indonesia Season 16 with 101.2 million hours, highlighting the game’s sustained popularity in the mobile esports landscape.
In stark contrast, other mobile esports titles like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) Mobile and Arena of Valor (AoV) fell significantly behind, despite their own successful tournaments. The MLBB Mid Season Cup 2025 garnered 50.3 million hours, while MPL Philippines Season 15 attracted 31.1 million hours watched. These statistics illustrate MLBB’s unparalleled grasp on mobile esports viewership, leaving little doubt about its supremacy within the genre.
The data compiled by Esports Charts not only reflects total hours viewed but also the peak audience numbers that signify the events’ drawing power. MPL Indonesia Season 15 achieved a remarkable peak of 4.13 million viewers, reaffirming its status as a premier event in the esports calendar. MPL Indonesia Season 16 and the MLBB Mid Season Cup 2025 followed with peaks of 3.11 million and 3.06 million, respectively. Such figures not only highlight MLBB’s widespread appeal but also its ability to captivate large audiences during key moments.
While MLBB secured the top spots, the competition was fierce for the remaining positions in the most-watched events of 2025. The only title to make a significant impact outside of MLBB was Arena of Glory Spring 2025, which reached 28.9 million hours watched, showcasing AoV’s potential in the competitive scene. Its counterpart, Arena of Glory Winter 2025, also managed to rank among the top events, demonstrating consistency in viewership for AoV.
Despite these achievements, PUBG Mobile managed to stake its claim in the top 10 with the PUBG Mobile Global Championship 2025, which became one of the game’s most-watched tournaments of all time, attracting 26.8 million hours. This event underscores the growing relevance of PUBG Mobile in the esports space, even as it competes against MLBB’s formidable presence.
Contextually, the statistics presented by Esports Charts exclude data from China’s streaming platforms, suggesting that the actual figures could be even higher, particularly for titles popular in that region. That said, the dominance of MLBB is undeniable, as it not only captured the most hours watched but also excelled in average viewership metrics across multiple tournaments.
MLBB’s success extends beyond mere viewership to significant engagement from its fanbase, which is crucial for the sustainability of any esports title. While the game continues to evolve, factors such as player engagement and community support remain vital for maintaining its competitive edge.
As we look forward, the landscape of mobile esports appears poised for growth. With MLBB leading the charge, other titles will need to innovate and enhance their offerings to compete effectively. The mobile esports arena is not just about numbers, but also about the experiences and narratives that unfold during these tournaments, making it essential for developers and organizers to focus on delivering high-quality events.
The successes of 2025 set the stage for what may come next in the mobile esports sector. As new titles emerge and established games continue to evolve, the competition for viewership and engagement will only intensify. For MLBB, maintaining its dominance will require continuous adaptation and responsiveness to the gaming community, while also welcoming newcomers eager to make their mark.
