PUBG Mobile unveils Global Championship 2025 format

The PUBG Mobile Global Championship (PMGC) has officially unveiled its qualifying format for the 2025 edition.

Announced during the PUBG Mobile World Cup (PMWC) during the Esports World Cup, the tournament will see a total of 39 teams compete for the title between November and December.

The format, explained by James Yang, Senior Director of Esports at Interactive Entertainment Group (IEG) Global from Tencent Games, will consist of three stages.

In the first gauntlet stage, which will include a total of 16 teams (the best teams from each region based on fall ranking) will fight for the first six slots to the PMGC.

The bottom 10 teams from the gauntlet will be placed in the group stage, reuniting with the other 22 teams to fight for a total of eight slots. With the combined 32 players split into two groups, the top four from each group will lock in their qualifying spot.

For non-qualified teams, there will be a last chance qualifier, where only the winner will receive a grand final slot. One other place is being given to the hosting country’s invitee (Thailand). The three stages will take place in November, while the PMGC will be in December.

In addition to the competitive format announcements, PMGC will also have a major map pool change: SANHOK will be replaced by Rondo, the latest map in the game, joining Erangel and Miramar.

The map will also be used for the upcoming regional PUBG Mobile Super Leagues (PMSL) in fall events, leading up to the last championship of the calendar year.

Yang also announced that in response to player feedback, the game publisher will keep a recall system in Rondo. Other key features include esports blue zone, sentry guard and drops available, and no shop system to ensure balance.

While there are no details on the exact dates of the tournament and the prize winnings, last year’s PMGC took place in London and featured a combined $3m (~£2.26m) prize pool, with winners Dplus taking $457,250 (~£344,182).