Cambodia set to host MSC 2023 in June

For the first time, Cambodia is set to host an international Mobile Legends: Bang Bang tournament as the country has been announced as the venue for the ML:BB Southeast Asia Cup (MSC) 2023 in June.

Moonton Games bared the development on Tuesday, saying it has reached an agreement and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Esports Federation Cambodia (EFC) in bid "to co-promote the growth of the local esports industry and enhance the competitive gaming landscape of the country."

Aside from the MSC, Cambodia will also serve as host for the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games this May, where ML:BB and other esports events are featured.

"The success of MPL Cambodia has helped to strengthen the development of the esports ecosystem in Cambodia, and we are looking to take it one step further by bringing MSC 2023 to create more opportunities for local talents here," said Ray Ng, head of Esports Ecosystem of MOONTON Games, in a statement.

"We are excited to showcase the potential of Cambodian players to a global arena and to bring in global players to #SEATheWorld."

The Philippines is the defending champion in both MSC and the SEA Games ML:BB tournaments with RSG ruling the previous MSC edition while a Blacklist International-bannered squad steered the country to the biennial meet supremacy last year.

This year, though, the ML:BB scene will see a different MSC edition. Teams outside the Southeast Asian region will join the contest as North America, MENA (Middle East and North Africa), and Turkey have been included.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News