PUBG Mobile Global Championship 2025: Bangkok Recap

The 2025 PUBG MOBILE Global Championship (PMGC) took place in Bangkok, Thailand, from December 12-14. Sixteen professional teams gathered to compete for a share of the $3 million prize pool, one of the largest in esports history. The event served as the culmination of over a year of competitive play.

Distinctively, this year's championship introduced 'PUBG United,' a unified global event bringing together the PUBG MOBILE and PUBG communities. The festivities extended beyond the main stage at Siam Paragon, featuring widespread fan activations throughout the city. Alpha 7 esports were crowned the 2025 PMGC Champions, receiving exclusive Balenciaga jackets as part of a luxury collaboration.

The Grand Finals were held on the 5th floor of the luxurious Siam Paragon shopping mall, but the celebrations spilled out into the city. The event featured a 'PUBG United' theme, marking the first time the PUBG MOBILE and PUBG Global Championships came together for a unified celebration. This collaboration highlighted a long-standing history of competition and sportsmanship between the two titles.

Fans attending the event were treated to a festival-like atmosphere with numerous interactive installations. The PUBG United Fan Zone featured a variety of activities, including:

• A human claw machine
• A PUBG café and Frosty Barbershop
• Metro Royale battle experiences
• World of Wonder Challenge areas

The venue also hosted an Air Drop Stage featuring performances by Thai pop-punk band Paper Planes and traditional Muay Thai fights. The collaboration with PUBG was visually represented by two giant back-to-back stages, allowing for a seamless viewing experience of the gameplay and team standings.

The competition culminated in Alpha 7 esports lifting the PMGC trophy and being crowned the 2025 Champions. In addition to the prize money, the team was awarded exclusive jackets designed by luxury fashion house Balenciaga, a prize reserved only for the winners.

Third place went to Alpha Gaming, whose player 'TOP' was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP). As part of a continued partnership, luxury automaker Porsche provided a Porsche Cayenne as the prize for the MVP, further bridging the gap between high-end branding and competitive esports.

The event's success was not limited to the physical venue. The Grand Finals achieved a significant milestone in viewership, recording the highest peak audience in five years. The broadcast drew more than 1.3 million concurrent viewers globally during the final matches, underscoring the growing popularity of the mobile esports scene.

The influence of the PMGC was felt across Bangkok, with PUBG MOBILE activations appearing throughout the city. A notable highlight was a massive drone light show over the Chao Phraya River, featuring hundreds of drones forming iconic imagery such as 'Winner Winner Chicken Dinner' and Air Drop crates. A branded PUBG MOBILE Giant Boat also made an appearance on the river.

Additional collaborations added to the festive vibe, including pop-ups with Porsche and the popular Thai bakery brand Butterbear. The event also featured a PDP Creative Zone, where a colossal PUBG MOBILE helmet was decorated by artists during the event.

Looking ahead, the event included an opening ceremony announcing plans for 2026 PUBG MOBILE Esports. With over 1 billion downloads and 50 million daily active users, the game continues to expand its competitive ecosystem. The title recently secured the 'Mobile Esports of the Year' award at the Esports Awards for the second time, signaling strong momentum for the upcoming season.