The stage is officially set for the grandest battle royale showdown of the year. At the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, James Yang, Senior Director of Global Esports at Level Infinite, revealed massive updates to the PUBG MOBILE Esports format, confirming sweeping changes for the second half of the 2025 competitive season and a bold new direction for the PUBG MOBILE Global Championship.

The 2025 edition of the PMGC is not just the final tournament of the year, it is also the most anticipated. Teams across the globe will clash for the title of world champions, and this time, the road to the Grand Finals is more intense than ever. A brand-new Gauntlet Stage is being introduced, where the top 16 teams from each region will fight for just six direct Grand Final slots. The rest will have to battle their way through the Group Stage.

To enter the Gauntlet, teams must place in the top two or three spots in their region’s PMSL Fall Rankings. But those who fall short still have a shot. Ten teams from the Gauntlet will drop into the Group Stage, joining 22 top regional performers. These 32 teams will then be split into two groups, where each group will offer only four precious Grand Final spots. Another team will qualify through a Last Chance bracket, and one final spot will be reserved for the host-region champion.

Map changes are also shaking things up. Say goodbye to Sanhok, and welcome Rondo into the official tournament rotation. With its recall mechanics, Sentry Guards, and fast-paced action, Rondo is expected to push players’ strategic depth even further. While stores won’t be present on the map, the scavenger-style gameplay will test how well teams can adapt.

PUBG MOBILE is making sure that esports is not just about competition, but about connection. Some of the most powerful stories from the circuit so far have come from communities and individuals defying odds, chasing dreams, and celebrating milestones. Indonesia’s GluSquad Esports earned their first slot at the PMSL SEA. Memoitho became the first woman to finish in the Top 3 at the Africa Cup solo event. Horaa Esports put Nepal on the global map with their first qualification to a major international tournament.

Beyond the spotlight, stories like Team Nile’s 11011Enemy rising to MVP status while battling mobility challenges have inspired fans across the globe. In Turkey, a growing community of disabled players found belonging through the game. And in moments that tug at the heartstrings, family pride took center stage as the fathers of players Sylas and Alhaje cheered from the stands during global tournaments, proving that behind every rising star is a support system built on love and belief.

With a bigger tournament structure, the return of iconic gameplay mechanics, and the growing emotional backbone of PUBG MOBILE’s global community, this year's PMGC is more than just another esports event. It’s a celebration of resilience, evolution, and the universal spirit of gaming.

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