2025 PUBG MOBILE Global Championship Details, Format, and Map Changes Revealed at Esports World Cup

James Yang, Senior Director of Global Esports at Level Infinite, has shared a number of exciting reveals for the future of PUBG MOBILE Esports. Among this news is the official plan for the second half of the 2025 competitive season, including further information on the format and changes coming to the prestigious PUBG MOBILE Global Championship (PMGC) at the end of the year. These changes are set to amplify the excitement at the final major competition in this year’s circuit, allowing more opportunities for teams to make it to number one.

As the final tournament of the annual PUBG MOBILE Esports circuit, the 2025 PMGC is the most anticipated event of the year, with professional teams vying for their chance to etch their name in esports history as the ultimate Champions of the PUBG MOBILE year. For this reason, the best teams across the world are invited to take their shot at victory. This year sees the introduction of the Gauntlet Stage to the tournament — an initial stage where the 16 best teams from each region are selected for an initial chance to go straight to the Grand Finals, with six slots up for grabs.

In order to qualify for the Gauntlet Stage, teams must be placed within the top two or three spots in the regional 2025 PUBG MOBILE Super League (PMSL) Fall Rankings, but this is not the only opportunity to enter the tournament. The bottom 10 ranked teams from the Gauntlet will enter the Group Stage, alongside 22 teams from across the globe. These 22 teams are made up of the top-scoring teams from every region, with the combined 32 teams facing off in two groups for a further four qualifying slots per group.

The final two slots are made up of the overall winner of the host-region invite slot and the winner of the Last Chance stage, where the teams ranked 5th-12th from the Group Stage will get one more shot at qualifying for the Grand Finals.

Many other changes were announced as PUBG MOBILE Esports seeks to close the gap between professional play and the wider player experience. Kicking this off, Rondo is replacing Sanhok in the official map rotation from the 2025 PMSL Fall Season, and with it comes a myriad of impactful changes. To begin, the Recall System makes a return to the competitive formula, allowing eliminated players to rejoin the battle should their teammates safely secure their tag. Sentry Guards and drops will also be introduced in keeping with the original Rondo experience and the Blue Zone speed will remain the same. However, the iconic map stores will not be available, meaning players will have to scavenge for gear just as they do in other maps.

With the action-heavy updates revealed, PUBG MOBILE Esports has also highlighted some of the best moments across the various tournaments to date. This involves a look at the skill of standout performances, key historical moments, and also recognising amazing examples of how gaming can connect people across the globe.

Beginning with the former, following two years of persistence, Indonesia’s GluSquad Esports made their mark on the game, qualifying for the PMSL SEA for the first time, earning widespread support for their fresh energy in the summer season. Waves were also made in Africa, as Memoitho made history becoming the first woman in PUBG MOBILE Esports to reach the Top 3 in the 2025 PUBG MOBILE Africa Cup (PMAC) Kenya Solo Competition. Then to Nepal, where Horaa Esports celebrated their qualification in the 2025 PMWC, marking their debut entry into a major global tournament.

Alongside these great stories are many heartwarming highlights from over the years, such as Team Nile’s own 11011Enemy, who defied the odds while managing mobility issues from sickle cell disease, securing MVP in a crucial match, and going on to represent Nigeria in Saudi Arabia. In a similar vein, a community of gamers with disabilities from Turkey were brought together by PUBG MOBILE, growing into a 50 person group of supportive players across the country. PUBG MOBILE is also celebrating the love and support shown by pro players’ families. Earlier this year, the father of Regnum Carya Esports’ Sylas celebrated his son’s success at the 2025 PUBG MOBILE Global Open (PMGO). Then at the 2025 PMWC, the father of POWR Esports’ Alhaje cheered on his son from the crowd as the weekend unfolded. With this, both of these proud fathers proved their place as their sons’ number one fans. Last but not least, fans will remember how football star Richarlison met his partner through their mutual love for PUBG MOBILE Esports.

With a plethora of significant updates to the tournament formula, the reintroduction of impactful features, and many more stories to be made, PUBG MOBILE Esports fans have plenty to look forward to for the rest of the year and beyond.