Honor of Kings International Championship 2025 Hits Global Record

The 2025 season of mobile esports has concluded with a historic milestone in the Philippines, as the Honor of Kings International Championship (KIC) 2025 crowned a new world champion. In a dominant showing at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque, Malaysia’s HomeBois BSE swept the Grand Final to claim the title, solidifying their region's supremacy. The high-stakes finale not only showcased elite gameplay but also propelled the tournament to a concurrent viewership peak of 694,424. 

This figure represents the highest peak for any Honor of Kings (KIC) event held outside of China this year, signalling that the game’s global momentum is surging.

The Grand Finals served as a definitive showcase of strength for the Malaysian region. HomeBois BSE defended their world title with a decisive 4-0 sweep over Nova Esports in the best-of-seven series. This victory was the crown jewel of a massive success story for the country, as Malaysian teams secured all the top three spots at the event. 

While the climax of the tournament took place in front of a roaring crowd at the mall, the earlier group stages were hosted at the Shooting Gallery Studios in Makati City. To ensure competitive integrity across the board, all 16 global teams competing for a share of the $1 million prize pool played on the official tournament device, the TECNO POVA 7 Ultra 5G.

Viewership Records and Engagement Trends

Data from Esports Charts reveals a complex but positive picture of the tournament’s engagement. The Grand Final smashed previous records, surpassing the 653,309 peak viewers set by the Honor of Kings World Cup earlier this year. The English-language broadcast alone attracted a peak of over 210,000 viewers, validating Tencent’s aggressive push into Western and Southeast Asian markets. 

However, day-to-day engagement showed some variance. The event accumulated 3.2 million hours watched across 110 hours of airtime, but the average viewership settled at 29,113, marking a 20% decline compared to the 2024 edition. Despite the dip in average numbers, the record-breaking peaks confirm that the appetite for high-stakes mobile MOBA competition is expanding well beyond its traditional strongholds.

This international growth complements the franchise's immense domestic power. Just this November, the KPL Grand Finals in Beijing set a Guinness World Record for esports attendance, with 62,196 fans watching All Gamers defeat Wolves Esports at the Bird’s Nest stadium. 

With the 2025 season wrapping up as a landmark year for the ecosystem, the future looks incredibly busy. The esports roadmap for 2026 has already been unveiled, promising a robust schedule of six cross-regional events. The plan includes two sets of regional leagues and competitions focused on key growth territories, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brazil, ensuring the competitive scene continues to thrive globally.