format, schedule, groups to observe

After a year-long absence as a result of 2025 SEA Video games, Cell Legends: Bang Bang’s crowning occasion, the M7 World Championship, is ready to kick off on January third.

Operating till January twenty fifth, the seventh version of the match will function 22 of the most effective Cell Legends: Bang Bang groups from throughout the globe battling it out for its $1m (~£744,270) prize pool.

M7 is assured to crown a brand new winner, as defending champion ONIC Philippines didn’t qualify for the occasion.

Earlier than the motion begins, right here’s a whole breakdown of the match’s construction, taking part groups, and opening matches.

Out of the 22 squads competing at M7, eight will start their journey within the Wildcard Stage, with the remaining 14 coming into straight into the Principal Occasion. This yr, Japan will make its return to the World Championship for the primary time since its final look at M2. In the meantime, no North American consultant will probably be featured in both stage of the occasion.

Right here is the checklist of groups certified for the M7 World Championship:

The Wildcard Stage will happen from January third to sixth, starting with a Group Stage. Groups will probably be divided into two teams of 4, and can battle in a single round-robin format, with all matches performed as best-of-three collection. 

The highest two groups from every group will advance to the Decider Stage, the place best-of-five matches will decide the 2 squads that qualify for the Principal Occasion.

The Principal Occasion will include two phases – the Swiss Stage, operating from January tenth to seventeenth, adopted by the Knockout Stage from January 18th to twenty fifth. Swiss Stage will pit 16 groups (14 straight certified and two from the Wildcard) in opposition to one another, with opening matchups determined with the assistance of a random draw.

From there, eight groups will progress to the Knockout Stage that includes a double-elimination bracket. All collection will probably be best-of-five, apart from the primary spherical of the higher bracket, which will probably be performed as best-of-three. Along with this, the Grand Closing will probably be a best-of-seven showdown to crown the M7 World Champion.

Recent off its MLBB Mid Season Cup 2025 victory, Group Liquid PH will probably be trying to ship a dominant efficiency at M7. The Filipino powerhouse additionally carries a powerful momentum after securing back-to-back titles at MPL Philippines Season 15 and 16. 

Selangor Purple Giants OG Esports completed third at M6, and with each the winner and runner-up, ONIC Philippines and Group Liquid ID, absent from the match, M7 is a good alternative for the Malaysian squad to carry its first M World Championship trophy. 

ONIC was only one win away from securing the M5 title in 2023. Since then, it has sometimes struggled on the worldwide stage, regardless of excelling in regional tournaments. In 2025, the group secured victories at MPL Indonesia Season 15 and 16, however may solely handle a top-four end at MSC.

That mentioned, the group remains to be one of many prime contenders for the M7 title, particularly coming off its Video games of the Future 2025 win.

Followers can head to MPL Enviornment XO Corridor in Jakarta, Indonesia, to witness the Wildcard, Swiss Stage, and Day 1 of the Knockout Stage. The remainder of the Principal Occasion, together with the Grand Closing, will happen on the Tennis Indoor Stadium Senayan.