In a bid to engage with the youth and promote esports, the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) is launching its first-ever Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) tournament. The initiative invites all 149 member cities to participate, offering amateur players a chance to showcase their skills on a competitive stage.
Victorias City Mayor Javi Benitez, LCP’s Focal Mayor for Youth and Sports Development, shared details of the tournament during a media event on November 12. He was joined by Quezon City Mayor and LCP Acting National President Joy Belmonte and AP.Bren CEO AJ Ponce. Mayor Benitez expressed enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing the potential of esports, particularly MLBB, to uplift grassroots talent and even open doors for global opportunities, including the Olympics.
Each participating city is allowed to field two teams composed of six to eight players, aged 15 to 30, with the majority being local residents. The tournament is exclusively for amateur players and requires city mayor endorsement for team registration. The event has already garnered interest from 25 cities, signaling strong support for esports at the local level.
The competition will kick off with online matches starting November 22 and culminate in an on-site Grand Final in February 2025. Fans will be able to follow the tournament through LCP’s official online platforms. A total prize pool of up to ₱3 million is at stake, making this a landmark event for amateur esports in the country.
This move aligns with LCP’s commitment to youth development and inclusivity, as the tournament encourages participation from players of all genders. By tapping into the popularity of MLBB, a game with a massive following in the Philippines, the organization hopes to foster community engagement and provide aspiring esports athletes a platform to grow.
The League of Cities of the Philippines is setting the stage not just for a thrilling esports competition but also for a broader initiative to make esports an integral part of grassroots sports development in the country.
