Written by The PUBG Mobile Global Championship was unveiled in 2020 and has now become the bedrock of PUBG Mobile esports. Qualification for the championship comes via regional leagues and tournaments throughout the year.
Competition often involves phases such as the League Stage, Survival Stage, Last Chance Qualifiers, and Grand Finals. The phases see to it that only the finest teams qualify to play for the championship title.
In PMGC 2024, there were 48 teams that competed in the League Stage, and they were categorized into groups of 16. Teams played various matches to advance to later stages.
The highest-ranking teams automatically advanced to the Grand Finals, but others competed in Survival and Last Chance stages. The Grand Finals saw 16 teams playing for three consecutive days in heated matches to declare the winner.
PMGC is famous for its enormous prize pools, which have increased over time. In PMGC 2024, $3 million was shared among competing teams, with extra rewards for individual feats such as MVP performances.
The event also receives international viewership, with viewership figures peaking to levels. For example, PMGC 2023 had almost one million concurrent viewers for its Grand Finals.
The championship showcases PUBG Mobile’s international popularity through the participation of teams from various regions including Southeast Asia, Europe, MENA (Middle East and North Africa), Central and South Asia, and the Americas.
The inclusion of structures such as the PUBG Mobile Super League (PMSL) guarantees strong regional representation and offers avenues for teams to qualify for international competitions such as PMGC.
PMGC has shown PUBG Mobile’s dedication to the development of competitive esports. Investment in infrastructure, larger regional leagues, and additional international tournaments has all helped build its success.
PMGC 2025 will be hosted in Thailand as part of an overarching roadmap encompassing other big tournaments such as PUBG Mobile World Championship (PMWC) and PUBG Mobile Global Open (PMGO).
The championship has experienced incredible performances by teams and players in the past. For example, South Korean team Dplus KIA won PMGC 2024 following an impressive campaign in London’s Grand Finals.
In the same vein, Mongolian team IHC Esports stole the headlines by claiming victory in PMGC 2023 after an incredible comeback in the finals in Istanbul.
Top 5 Things to Know About the PUBG Mobile Global Championship (PMGC)
1. Global Reach and Organization
The PMGC is also famous for having teams from all over the world because of the global popularity of PUBG Mobile as a gaming title. The competition includes teams from regions like:
- Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam are just some of the countries with large esports communities and are always churning out competitive teams.
- Europe: European teams tend to play the game in a tactical style, and Turkey and Russia are among its leader nations.
- MENA (Middle East and North Africa): This is an emerging region in esports, with Saudi Arabia and Egypt being its major contributors of talented squads.
- Central and South Asia: India and Pakistan have a huge player pool and are becoming more and more competitive in international tournaments.
- The Americas: Teams from North and South America also compete, utilizing their own style of gameplay derived from their region’s competitions.
The PMGC is managed by a union of influential forces in the gaming sector:
- Level Infinite: With its reputation for overseeing and marketing PUBG Mobile worldwide, Level Infinite is an integral component in managing the tournament arrangements and providing an experience for competitors.
- Krafton: Being the publisher of PUBG, Krafton offers the core support for the game and its esports scene. They ensure that the tournament takes the shape it should according to the vision and standards of the game.
- VSPO (VSPN): VSPO is an Asian esports solutions company with experience in event, broadcasting, and marketing. Their presence assists in running the tournament successfully in the areas of production quality and audience engagement.
2. Tournament Format
The PMGC is a multi-round format that challenges teams’ skill, strategy, and endurance over a long duration. The format generally consists of:
1. League Stage:
- Grouping: Teams are grouped into sets, usually based on regional performance or seeding.
- Matches: A series of matches are played out by each group, typically spread over several days.
- Ranking: Points are awarded to teams based on how well they perform in each match, with increased rankings for greater kills and survival time.
2. Survival Stage:
- Objective: This phase is for those teams that failed to get direct qualification into the Grand Finals but can still proceed.
- Format: The teams play more matches, with the best players qualifying into the Grand Finals.
3. Last Chance Qualifiers:
- Objective: This phase offers a last chance for teams to qualify for the Grand Finals.
- Format: Unqualified teams play under pressure situations with limited numbers of spots left to advance.
4. Grand Finals:
- Objective: The final culmination of the tournament in which top teams fight to become the overall champions.
- Format: Teams are pitted in a series of matches over days, and the team that amasses the highest number of points is declared victorious.
Teams gain points depending on their finishing position in a match and the number of kills they have. The points system rewards both survival and aggression.
Matches are usually played in a best-of format, with teams playing multiple maps to provide a thorough test of their abilities.
The format allows teams to adjust their strategies during the tournament. They have to balance survival with killing to gain the most points.
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3. Prize Pool and Recognition
The PMGC is also famous for its huge prize pool, which has increased over the years. For example, in PMGC 2023, the prize pool was $3 million, one of the biggest in mobile gaming esports.
This huge monetary reward is a big attraction for teams since it not only offers a huge amount of money but also confirms their hard work and commitment to the sport.
The winnings go to the top teams as a rule, with the champion taking the biggest portion. For instance, the champion team, IHC Esports, took a large chunk of the prize pool in PMGC 2023.
The prize pool has grown over the years as PUBG Mobile esports rose in monetary support. The increased growth is an indicator of the popularity and success of the game to get sponsors and investors.
A big prize pool can be a turning point for teams, enabling them to spend on improved equipment, training facilities, and player recruitment. It also gives players financial security, allowing them to concentrate on their careers without worrying about money.
Success or a good showing in PMGC can make players and teams overnight sensations, with opportunities for improved sponsorship contracts, media appearances, and the chance to play in other big tournaments.
Teams that win PMGC become a part of the history of the game, joining the ranks of PUBG Mobile esports legends. Acclaim among gamers is priceless. Players and teams gain respect and admiration from fans across the globe.
Individual Awards:
- MVP (Most Valuable Player) – Presented to the player who shows consistency in playing well and besting the rest of the tournament field. A very elite honor that chooses the rising star.
- Best Fragger – Presented to the player with the most deaths dealt during the tournament, this award is all about individual skill and aggression.
- Other Awards: There can be other awards for special accomplishments, such as the most assists or best team play.
4. Recent Winners and Performances
Recent Winners:
1. PMGC 2024
South Korean squad Dplus KIA took victory during the Grand Finals at ExCel London. They illustrated throughout consistent gameplay prowess, claiming their title as champions of one of the most competitive PMGCs so far.
Though showing a minor decline in viewership from PMGC 2023, the event clocked up over 28.4 million hours watched.
2. PMGC 2023
IHC Esports, a Mongolian esports team, won the championship title in Istanbul, Turkey. From day one, when they started at sixth position, they proved to be a force to be reckoned with by showing unbelievable resilience and merit.
IHC Esports collected $453,500 out of the $3 million prize money, and this season became one of the poignant in the history of PMGC.
3. PMGC 2022
Turkish squad S2G Esports took the championship, which was held in Malaysia and Indonesia. They swept the Grand Finals and were declared champions after winning Round 18. S2G Esports earned $510,000 from the $4 million prize pool.
4. PMGC Season 0 (2020)
The inaugural PMGC saw Four Angry Men (4AM) dominate during the League Stage, but Nova Esports claimed victory in Dubai’s Grand Finals. This edition set records with a peak viewership of 3.8 million.
Notable Performances:
1. IHC Esports’ Comeback (PMGC 2023)
Their turnaround from sixth to first position in the Grand Finals is arguably the greatest comeback in PMGC history. The display showcased their ability to cope under pressure and be adaptable.
2. Dplus KIA’s Consistency (PMGC 2024)
The South Korean team were tactically superb throughout the tournament, leading to universal acclaim as one of the most well-disciplined teams in PUBG Mobile esports.
3. S2G Esports’ Dominance (PMGC 2022)
Their aggressive playing style and choices in Round 18 ensured their triumph, showing their capacity to function on pressure situations.
5. Venues and Hosting
PMGC has been held in legendary venues. The venues are selected with utmost care to facilitate smooth conduct of the event while maximizing the viewing experience.
Ülker Sports and Event Hall, Istanbul (PMGC 2023)
The PMGC 2023 Grand Finals took place in Istanbul, Turkey, at the Ülker Sports and Event Hall. The venue offered a professional environment for the tournament, including high-standard production and facilities for supporting live broadcast and LAN competition.
The location emphasized Turkey’s increasing presence in esports and received close to one million peak viewers for the finals.
ExCeL London, United Kingdom (PMGC 2024)
PMGC 2024 wrapped up at ExCeL London, a world-famous exhibition ground. The destination highlighted PUBG Mobile’s entry into Europe and was an ideal platform for South Korean squad Dplus KIA to emerge on top.
Coca-Cola Arena Dubai (PMGC Season 0)
The first-ever PMGC in 2020 was originally intended as a LAN event at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai but became an online event because of COVID-19. Logistically complicated, it still broke the record with 3.8 million peak viewers.
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