Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is one of the most-watched esports of 2025

A mobile game has made it into the list of most-watched esports of 2025!

According to Esports Charts, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is one of the most-watched esport titles of 2025. It honestly sparked quite a debate amongst esports fans as well, once again raising the question as to why mobile esports are not taken seriously. 

Most-watched esports games of 2025:

• League of Legends: 6.8 million
• Mobile Legends: Bang Bang: 4.1 million
• Counter-Strike: 1.8 million
• Dota 2: 1.8 million
• VALORANT: 1.5 million

It's no surprise to see League of Legends at the top. The massively popular MOBA has been the most dominant esport for years, with Riot's structured tournament and season format creating plenty of competition throughout the year.

There are esports icons and massively popular teams taking part as well, including Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok. Even non-League fans know who he is, and will even check out some matches to support T1. 

Joked one fan: "The formula for LoL to get the highest viewership: T1 appears in every final." 

However, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang isn't too far behind. What's even crazier is that this viewership number doesn't include the M7 Championship, which is happening now in 2026. This means that MLBB was able to garner 4.1 million views during regional tournaments. 

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang has continued to grow massively as an esport, especially in Southeast Asia. In 2025, China also entered the arena, creating an even larger fanbase (although the country is a bit far behind and was the first to be eliminated at the M7 Championship). 

The question is: Will the rest of the world catch up? Will Europe and North America finally accept mobile esports and take it as seriously as games like League of Legends and Counter-Strike? 

A lot of esports fans from outside of SEA were quick to joke about MLBB being in the second spot. Many questioned who was even watching it. Others called it a "Temu League of Legends." Another added: "I've never even seen gameplay."

These esports fans are looking at esports through a narrow lens and only noticing trends within their own country. While it may be seen as "fake League" to some gamers, it's a beloved and accessible MOBA to others.

 I'll be interested to see if MLBB or Honor of Kings can break free from their Southeast Asian roots and build scenes in other countries. Brazil is catching on, another country where mobile games are more accessible and the social aspect of the games creates big fanbases. Is America next?