M7 World Championship sets a new viewership record, making the Swiss Stage the most-watched pre-Knockout match in M Series history.
The Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) M7 World Championship Swiss Stage has once again raised the bar in terms of peak viewership. Following a record-breaking Wild Card stage earlier this month, the Swiss Stage has also reached a new milestone in M-Series history. These back-to-back achievements further cement MLBB as a global esports powerhouse.
That said, there’s more to the M7 World Championship than just record-breaking viewership.
M7 Swiss Stage breaks all-time viewership records
According to Esports Charts, the M7 World Championship Swiss Stage reached a 3,627,103 peak viewership record during its match between ONIC ID and Team Falcons. This format was first introduced back in M6. Aiming to replace the traditional Group Stage, the Swiss format continues to prove its value, delivering tighter competition and more compelling narratives.
The new record surpasses the following records:
- M6 Swiss Stage: 2.5 million PCV
- M5 Group Stage: 1.4 million PCV
- M4 Group Stage: 1.6 million PCV
Keep in mind that this record is only for the Swiss Stage/Group Stage of the M-Series event. The milestone builds on MLBB’s momentum after being crowned 2025’s most-watched mobile sports title. Aside from this, the recently concluded Wild Card stage also broke the record with over 447,251 peak concurrent views. This is the highest so far in the history of M-Series Wild Card stages.
Which platform is the biggest viewership driver for MLBB esports?
You might be curious as to which streaming platform is helping the most in terms of breaking viewership records for MLBB esports, especially in the M7 World Championship. According to Artyom Odintsov, Co-founder and CEO of Esports Charts, TikTok has the most contribution out of all the platforms.
“The M7 Swiss Stage set a new benchmark for mobile esports popularity, surpassing the M6 Swiss Stage by over one million concurrent viewers. TikTok played a key role in this growth, outperforming YouTube in major markets such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. As a non-traditional esports platform, TikTok appears to be attracting a new, marketing-driven audience.”
The viewership record success of the M7 World Championship, so far, signals a broader phase of global expansion for MOONTON Games. MLBB Esports has strengthened its commercial appeal through landmark partnerships with Red Bull and Visa, while also expanding its competitive ecosystem with the inclusion of Magic Chess: Go Go (MCGG) as a flagship side event.
Tiger Xu, the global head of MLBB Esports at MOONTON Games, emphasized the significance of the achievement:
“The M7 viewership numbers reflect the strength and maturity of our ecosystem — from partners and talent development to fan engagement. The success of M7 represents the next stage of our expansion as we bring the M Series to a truly global audience.”
MLBB transforms Jakarta into a living esports stage at the M7 World Championship
Before the record-breaking matches began, Jakarta itself took center stage. On Jan. 9, the M7 World Championship officially opened with a spectacular citywide ceremony at Batavia PIK, transforming the Indonesian capital into a living MLBB stage under the theme “Rise As One.”
The M7 Opening Ceremony was more than just a tournament kickoff. It was a statement for Indonesia’s national identity, and as the region that is known as the beating heart of MLBB. Standing alongside football and badminton, MLBB has grown into one of the country’s most beloved competitive disciplines, driven by community, pride, and passion. Against Jakarta’s skyline, the ceremony blended cultural heritage, modern production, and esports spectacle, positioning Indonesia as a global esports hub.
The ceremony also carried a powerful competitive message. During Voices of M7: Rise As One, the 16 Main Stage teams were introduced as their flags were raised in unison. Each flag was carried by a Gatotkaca cosplayer. The moment culminated with the message “Rise As One, Let the World See Us,” uniting players, fans, and nations under a shared banner.
The night reached its peak when the M7 Trophy was brought onstage by Indonesian MLBB icons Luminaire, Wannn, and Vivian, alongside Physical Asia star Igede “Igedz Executioner” Dharma Susila. It was a symbolic passing of legacy, honoring past champions while setting the stage for a new world title chase.
With Jakarta illuminated as a global esports landmark, the M7 Opening Ceremony didn’t just start a tournament; it showcased how Mobile Legends: Bang Bang has grown into a cultural force, carrying Indonesia’s spirit from home soil to the world stage.
Indonesia ignites the competition in the M7 Knockout Stage
Starting Jan. 18, the M7 Knockout Stage will see the final eight teams compete in Jakarta. This marks MLBB’s return to Indonesia after the nation last hosted the M Series at M4 in 2021. The region remains the beating heart of MLBB Esports. Esports Charts reports that MPL Indonesia has recorded over 100 million Hours Watched in each of its last five seasons. This underlines the region’s unmatched fan engagement.
Day 1 has just concluded with a surprising narrative. Two of MLBB esports’ most renowned titans, Team Liquid PH and ONIC ID, fell in their upper bracket matches to regional rivals Aurora Gaming PH and Alter Ego, respectively. Now the two fallen kings will have to claw their way out of the lower bracket. It's a tough climb, but a necessary one if they want to keep their Grand Finals hopes alive. With the competition heating up, we might be seeing the M7 Knockout Stage break yet another viewership record. We'll just have to wait and see for ourselves. Day 2 kicks off on Jan. 21, after a two-day break.
For more information, like match schedules and real-time scores, check out our M7 World Championship tournament hub.
