MPL KH SEASON 9 – Open Qualifier Tournament Rules
OFFICIAL OPEN QUALIFIER FOR MPL KH
1. Overview
1.1. Registration Period:
1.1.1. Open Registration: 24 Jul 2025
1.1.2. Close Registration: 1st Aug 2025, 11:59pm
1.2. MPL KH Qualifier:
1.2.1. Qualifier Phase 1 – Online (Single Elimination)
1.2.1.1. Qualified Round 1 – BO1 (192 – 96 Teams) 3rd – 4th Aug 2025
1.2.1.2. Qualified Round 2 – BO1 (96 – 48 Teams) 7th Aug 2025
1.2.1.3. Qualified Round 3 – BO3 (48 – 24 Teams) 8th Aug 2025
1.2.2. Qualifier Phase 2 – Offline at ED Office
1.2.2.1. Qualified Round 4 – BO3 – Offline ( 24 – 16 Teams) 9th Aug 2025
1.2.2.2. Qualified Round 5 – BO2 Group Stage – Offline ( 16 – 8 Teams) 10th – 11th Aug 2025
1.2.2.3. MPL KH S8 teams ranking 7th and 8th place will be place in 16 teams
1.2.2.4. Top 2 teams from MRO S2 (MLBB Rising Open Season 2) will be place in 16 teams
1.2.2.5. Round 5 will be the group stage with 16 teams draw to 4 group with 4 teams each
1.2.2.6. 4 teams from MPL KH S8 and MRO S2 (MLBB Rising Open Season 2) will be in each of the group
1.2.2.7. Qualified Round 6 – BO3 Knockout – Offline ( 8 – 4 Teams) 14 Aug 2025
1.2.2.8. Qualified Round 7 – BO5 MPL KH S9 Slot – Live (4 – 2 Teams) 15 Aug 2025
1.3. MPL KH Season 8 teams ranking 7th and 8th place will be placed in Qualified Round 5 in 16 teams.
1.4. Top 2 teams from MRO S2 (MLBB Rising Open Season 2) will be place in 16 teams
1.5. Teams relegated from MPL KH S8 can enter the qualifiers with a new roster and do not require any carry over from the previous season.
1.6. Qualifier Team Roster Lock will be on 1st Aug 2025, 11:59pm.
1.7. Qualifier teams must retain their registered players after the MPL KH S9 qualifiers into the MPL KH S9 Regular Season. They will only be allowed to change/add their coach &/or analyst by TBC.
Coaches/Analysts are not allowed to possess dual roles within the roster.
1.8. Teams that qualify to round 4 24 teams must be present their ID to the committee to verify the info.
1.9. Qualifier teams who qualify for the regular season can only add/release players during (i) the specified transfer window (ii) if the maximum roster does not exceed 10 players maximum.
2. Qualifier Format
2.1. The match in MPL KH Season 9 Qualifier will be played in tournament mode (10 Bans)
2.2. 192 teams will be randomly drawn to have the match up in the single elimination.
2.2.1. Qualifier Round 1 & 2 matchup will be played in the best of 1
2.2.2. Round 3 will be played in the Best of 3
2.2.3. Round 4 will be played in the Best of 3 offline at ED Office
2.2.3.1. Teams in 7th and 8th place from MPL KH S8 will be adding to round 5 16 teams
2.2.3.2. Top 2 teams from MRO S2 (MLBB Rising Open Season 2) will be placed in 16 teams
2.2.4. Round 5 will be played in the group stage BO2 format with 4 group 4 teams each
2.2.4.1. 4 teams from MPL KH S8 and MRO S2 (MLBB Rising Open Season 2) will be the head of each group
2.2.4.2. Score System
– 2:0 : Winner team grants 3 points, Loser team grants 0 points.
– 1:1 : both teams grant 1 point each.
2.2.4.3. Tiebreaker
2.2.4.3.1. If 2 teams have point tie at the end of the Group Stage:
– If points of teams are equal, we will look at the Match Win %. Match Win % is the Total Match Wins/Total Match played. The team with higher Match Win % will be ranked higher.
– If Match Win % of teams are equal, we will look at the Game Win %. Game Win % is the Total Game Wins/Total Games played. The team with higher Game Win% will be ranked higher.
– If Game Win % of teams are equal, we will look at the Head to Head between teams and the teams will be ranked based on the Head to Head.
– If teams still tie with the versus record we will have an additional match to determine the ranking (Head to Head).
– More specifically, in a two-way tie, the two teams’ net wins will be compared first, and if they have an equal number of net wins, their versus record will be considered to determine their standings
2.2.4.3.2. Tiebreaker match : Play in the BO1 (Best Of One) and coin toss to determine side pick
2.2.4.3.3. If three or more teams are tied:
A. We look at the final point of teams.
B. If points of teams are equal, we will look at the Match Win %. Match Win % is the Total Match Wins/Total Match played. The team with higher Match Win % will be ranked higher.
C. If Match Win % of teams are equal, we will look at the Game Win %. Game Win % is the Total Game Wins/Total Games played. The team with higher Game Win% will be ranked higher.
D. If Game Win % of teams are equal, we will look at the Head to Head between teams and the teams will be ranked based on the Head to Head.
E. If the Head to Head cannot determine the ranking, the tied teams will play an additional BO1 match
2.2.4.3.4. Three-way Tie : The two teams with the highest Total Game Victory Times (the total amount of time it took for a team to win their matches in the Group Stage) in the tied teams will play a tiebreaker
(Match 1), and the loser will be awarded the lowest standing. The winner will play another tiebreaker (Match 2) against the tie team with the lowest Total Game Victory Time, and the loser will be
awarded the next highest standing, and the winner the highest. If the tied teams have equal Total Game Victory Times, then a coin flip will substitute the tiebreaker order, before they play the tiebreakers
following the rules above.
2.2.4.3.5. Four-way Tie : The tied teams will play tiebreakers according to their Total Game Victory Times. The team with the lowest Total Game Victory Time will face off against the team with the highest
(Match 1),while the team with the next lowest Total Game Victory Time will face off against the team with the next highest (Match 2).The losers of Match 1 and Match 2 will then face off in a tiebreaker
(Match 3) to determine the lowest standing, while the winners of Match 1 and Match 2 will face off in a tiebreaker (Match 4) to determine the highest standing.
2.2.4.3.6. In the event of exceptional cases or other unforeseeable circumstances, the MPL official will voice the final decision.
2.2.4.4. Top 2 of each group will advance to the knockout stage
2.2.5. Round 6 – BO3 Knockout stage will be match up :
– Match 1 : Top 1 group A vs Top 2 group C
– Match 2 : Top 1 group B vs Top 2 group D
– Match 3 : Top 1 group C vs Top 2 group A
– Match 4 : Top 1 group D vs Top 2 group B
2.2.6. Round 7 – BO5 MPL KH S9 Slot 4 teams Livestream
– Match 5 : Winner of Match 1 vs Winner of Match 2
– Match 6 : Winner of Match 3 vs Winner of Match 4
2.2.7. 2 Final teams will be advance to MPL KH S9
Knockout Stage Bracket
3. Player Requirement
3.1. Players below the age of 16 are not allowed to join this qualifier. Players must pass the birthdate of 1st Aug 2009 in order to be considered 16 years of age.
3.2. Players are not allowed to join more than 1 team for each qualifier. If players are found joining 2 teams, both represented teams will be disqualified from the qualifier.
3.3. Players must be available for all tournament dates, including potential post-tournament interviews or other tournament events of MPL KH Season 9.
3.4. The act of registering for this tournament implies full acceptance of all terms, conditions, rules and regulations stated, in its entirety.
3.5. All teams active line up can only have a maximum of 2 foreign players.
3.6. All registered teams must have 6 players minimum and 10 players maximum
3.7. All registered teams can include a coach and analyst.
3.8. Teams from MPL KH Season 8 ranking 7th & 8th place can be adjust the whole roster
3.9. Players from MPL KH Season 8 that have been released from the MPL KH teams can be participate in the MPL KH S9 qualifiers
4. Team Requirement
4.1. Team captains are expected to have Discord installed on their devices.
4.2. A team must consist of the following members:
4.2.1. 5 main players (necessary);
4.2.2. 1 to 5 substitute player (necessary);
4.2.3. 1 Head coach (Optional)
4.2.4. 1 Analyst (Optional)
4.2.5. At least 1 manager;
4.3. Qualified teams that have made it into MPL KH S9 will be allowed to add in a Coach/Analyst before the MPL KH S9 roster lock date on the (TBC)
4.4. Team roster cannot be changed after roster lock.
4.5. If a team is qualified for the MPL KH S9 Regular Season, The team can only change the players vacancies during the transfer window following the transfer rules.
4.6. Teams are prohibited to replace any of the registered players including the reserved player throughout the qualifier event.
4.7. Teams must retain the submitted roster from the MPL KH S9 Qualifier into the MPL KH S9 Regular Season until the first transfer window.
4.8. Teams are required to submit a team logo upon reaching the Top 16 of the qualifier.
4.9. Teams are required to produce a team shirt/jersey and jacket for their players upon successfully qualifying for the regular season of the league. Players are required to wear said shirts during media day and official
MPL KH S9 events at all times.
4.10. Teams are allowed to get their own sponsors throughout the season. However, the following categories of sponsors are strictly prohibited which include but not limited to:
4.10.1. casino or gambling websites;
4.10.2. websites displaying or related to pornographic imagery or products;
4.10.3. firearms, handguns, or ammunition providers;
4.10.4. alcohol;
4.10.5. drugs;
4.10.6. tobacco or cigarettes, including e-cigarette and vaping products;
4.10.7. account sharing/skin selling websites
4.10.8. third party payment platform;
4.10.9. another product or service that Moonton determines are detrimental to the MPL or in a competitive relationship with Mobile Legends: Bang Bang mobile game.
4.10.10. Web3, Cryptocurrencies, Trading platforms or products similar;
4.11. Teams must announce and inform the Qualifier Operating Committee and Moonton if the team has signed any preseason agreements with other organizations outside of the MPL KH ecosystem. Failure to inform
the Operating Committee will jeopardize the teams participation in MPL KH S9
4.12. Top 16 teams must inform the Operating Committee of any existing sponsors and the capacity of involvement with the team ie; monetary sponsor, partial/full team ownership, industry of company, etc. Moonton
will have the final discretion on the decision of allowing/rejecting sponsors to be part of the team.
4.13. Qualifier Teams will have to announce and inform the Operating Committee if they are currently participating in any other 3rd Party Tournament during the MPL S9 Qualifiers. If teams are part of other 3rd Party
Tournaments, they may need to renounce their participation status to participate in MPL KH S9 Qualifiers unless informed and approved by the Operating Committee.
4.14. By registering, Teams acknowledge that all usage of photos, videos, and any form of recording during the tournament have been given legal consent by the players for media and marketing purposes.
4.15. An organization may have a maximum of one team representing them in MPL KH Season 9. If an organization is caught having more than one team representing them, they will be disqualified from the tournament.
5. Team Names, Team Logos, and Player Names
5.1. Team Names and Team Logos
5.1.1. Team names and logos must only contain English characters, numbers, single space between words only.
5.1.2. When applying with the MPL official for the use of any Team names, the Team shall also provide a short name of the contemplated Team name, length is 2-4 characters, which must only contain English characters,
numbers, plus sign (+), minus sign (-), underline (_) and single quotes (‘’). Unless otherwise specified by the Team, the MPL official is entitled to use, at its own discretion, the full Team name and/or the short Team
name on any occasion.
5.1.3. The verification of the images or the names of sponsors are allowed to be shown in Team Logos and Team Names but they cannot be the same as the trademark and the name of the sponsors. Team Logos and Team
names cannot use any logo with which exists any copyright issues.or any logo with which exists any copyright issues.
5.1.4. Team names that consist of 2 separate entities are highly discouraged and will be subject to approval of the Moonton Operating Committee.
5.1.5. Team name will be allowed to change prior to the roster lock period and will be subject to approval of the Moonton Operating Committee.
5.1.6. The MPL official reserves the final right to approve Team names and logos.
5.1.7. Any applications regarding changes to Team names or logos must be submitted to the MPL official at least 3 days in advance, the new name or logo can only be used after obtaining approval. Teams can only apply
to change their name during the Transfer Window Period and can only apply to change their Name once within each Transfer Window Period.
5.2. Player Names
5.2.1. Player names must only contain English characters, numbers or single space between words only. The length should be 4 to 12 characters. Player Names cannot contain a sponsor’s name, cannot be similar with any
brand, also any players names that may cause misunderstanding is not allowed.
5.2.2. In case of duplicated names, the player should change the name after consulting the authority.
5.3. Common Restrictions
No additional special characters will be allowed for Team names, Logos or Player Names (including underscores, slashes, etc.). Team Names, Logos and Player Names may not contain: vulgarities or obscenities; names
related to the hero characters in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang or other similar characters; or other contents that may create confusion.
6. Communication
6.1. DISCORD shall be used as the communication tool for the MPL KH S9 Qualifiers between team representatives and the MPL KH tournament marshals.
6.2. For questions or feedback you may contact the MPL Official League Ops. team at Discord
6.3. Each team must have a representative present at the MPL KH Qualifier Discord Channel to be notified of the match up announcement and other announcements.
6.4. Use a username the same as your team so as to make it easier for MPL Official to find
6.5. Teams must install Discord as it will be the main communication channel for all Qualifier Teams. All Players, Coaches, Managers and Team Personnel are encouraged to join the discord channel.
6.6. Team Personnel will need to follow the naming format of ‘ Team_PlayerName_Role ‘ in the Discord channel. For example; ED_Garyy_P.
6.6.1. P – Player
6.6.2. C – Coach
6.6.3. M – Manager
6.6.4. TP – Team Personnel (if any other)
7. Reporting Match Wins and Disputes
7.1. Match wins must be reported using the match results in the discord channel #match-reports.
7.2. A screenshot of the victory screen is required.
7.3. Disputes must be reported using the disputes form provided in the discord channel.
7.4. Screenshots as evidence of claims are recommended to quicken the process.
7.5. n the event players choose any banned heroes during a BO1, it will result in an automatic disqualification.
7.6. In the event players choose any of the 3 banned heroes during a BO3, it will result in an automatic loss and the point will be given to the opposing team.
8. Ping Test
8.1. There will be no ping test for the online qualifier round 1, 2, and 3
8.2. Ping test will be conducted from round 4 onward (offline).
8.3. Before every match begins from round 4, teams must conduct a ping test. This is to check the connection of each player before an official match starts.
8.4. To conduct a ping test we will create the match lobby for both teams to play until 2 minutes have passed, or if both teams are satisfied or have issues with their ping.
8.5. If the connection of each player is agreeable to both teams, then the teams are to start the official match.
8.6. If no ping test is done when the official match is conducted, no remakes may be requested due to internet connection issues.
8.7. For online online qualifier round 1, 2, and 3 after the official match starts, no rematches will be allowed if any of the teams have connection issues. Players are responsible for their own Internet connection.
9. Ping Test
9.1. 192 teams will be randomly draw for the match-up
9.2. Online qualifier round 1, 2, will be play in the Best of 1 Single Elimination format
9.3. Online qualifier round 3 will be play in the Best of 3 Single Elimination format
9.4. From round 4 onward will be offline qualifier at ED office
9.5. Round 5 16 teams, Team in 7th & 8th place from MPL KH S8 and Top 2 teams from MRO S2 (MLBB Rising Open Season 2) will be place in that round
9.6. Round 5 16 teams will be in group stage Best of 2
9.7. 4 teams of MPL KH S8 and MRO S2 (MLBB Rising Open Season 2) will be added to each of the group
9.8. Top 2 teams from each group will advance to next round
9.9. Round 6 8 teams is a knockout stage play in the Best of 3
9.10. Knockout team match up :
– Match 1 : Top 1 group A vs Top 2 group C
– Match 2 : Top 1 group B vs Top 2 group D
– Match 3 : Top 1 group C vs Top 2 group A
– Match 4 : Top 1 group D vs Top 2 group B
9.11. MPL KH S9 Spot will be play in the Best of 5
9.12. Final round match up
– Winner Match 1 vs Winner Match 2
– Winner Match 3 vs Winner Match 4
9.13. The match in online qualifier phase 1 are not allowed to be pause
9.14. The match in offline qualifier, players can request pause upon raising the hand and give out the reason for pause.
9.15. All players must only use their own game account that has registered with to take part in all matches.
9.16. If players join the lobby with the wrong registration account ID the marshal has a right to kick from the match lobby.
9.17. All round / matches will be play in Tournament most pe
9.18. Hero or Skin that banned the official will be alert to the teams before the qualifier start
9.19. During the online qualifier, referees have the rights to remake the game in case any false players join the lobby as observers. The remake match will start with a re-draft heroes.
9.20. From Knockout 8 teams the teams will be using tournament device : Infinix GT 30 Pro
10. Match-ups, Tardiness and No Shows
10.1. Side Selection
10.1.1. Best of 1 Online: team on the left side of the schedule will be on the blue side and team on the right side of the schedule will on the red side
10.1.2. Best of 3 & 5 : Teams’ sides for Game 1 in the BO3 Matches will be decided by coin flip. The team that wins the coin toss will have the privilege of choosing sides whether to be the Red Side or the Blue
Side in Game 1 and the losing team of Game 1 will have the privilege to choose whether to be the Red Side or the Blue Side in the next game. And so on for Game 3,4,5
10.2. Selection Error : During offline qualifier, In the event of a hero pick/ban error, the team in error must notify the Referee of their intended selection within three seconds and before any other team has locked
in their next selection, and during the communication with the officials. If so, the process will be restarted and brought back to the point at which the error occurred so that the team in error may correct their mistake.
10.3. Teams are expected to be in the in-game lobby and at the studio. Maximum 10 minutes waiting time for online and offline matches.
10.4. The designated time during the main qualifiers is 60 minutes before the broadcast schedule of the match or by the start of the second match of the previous round, whichever comes first.
10.5. The broadcast schedule will be communicated to the teams by the league admin at least a day ahead of the scheduled match.
10.6. If any team is not ready during the designated time, their opponent can take a default win by contacting an admin and having him check the lobby.
10.7. Teams must respect, arrive and be present at the given schedule from MPL officials if the teams are late and the teams will be penalized accordingly.
10.8. The match can start unless both teams have players 5 vs 5.
10.9. In order to keep the match on schedule, teams may not wait more than 10 minutes, or both teams may get disqualified.
10.10. If the previous match has been cancelled because of a disqualification, the next teams are expected to be ready.
10.11. In the offline qualifier all team members must be present. If a team does not have 5 players present for the match that team will be disqualified due to missing players.
10.12. In case of emergency situations, coach can be substituted in for 1 player if 1 player is not present
11. Cheating and Unsportsmanlike Conduct
11.1. Players proven to have been cheating, conspiring to cheat, or acting in an unsportsmanlike conduct will receive consequences upon the review of their action.
11.2. Cheating is defined as any practice that gives an unfair advantage to a team or player. The following actions will be considered unfair play and will be subject to penalties at the discretion of the MPL official.
11.2.1. Collusion. Collusion is defined as any agreement among two (2) or more Players, Head Coaches, Teams, and/or confederates to disadvantage opposing Players. Collusion includes, but is not limited to, acts such as:
11.2.1.1. Soft play, which is defined as any agreement among two (2) or more Players to not damage, impede or otherwise play to a reasonable standard of competition in a Game.
11.2.1.2. Pre-arranging to split prize money and/or any other form of compensation.
11.2.1.3. Sending or receiving signals, electronic or otherwise, from a confederate to/from a Player.
11.2.1.4. Deliberately losing a Game for prize money, or for any other reason, or attempting to induce another Player to do so.
11.2.2. Competitive Integrity. Teams are expected to play at their best at all times within any MPL Game, and to avoid any behavior inconsistent with the principles of good sportsmanship, honesty, or fair play. For the sake
of clarity, team composition and the pick/ban phase will not be considered when determining whether this rule has been violated.
11.2.3. Hacking. Hacking is defined as any modification of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang game client by any Player, Team or person acting on behalf of a Player or a Team.
11.2.4. Exploiting. Exploiting is defined as intentionally using any in-game bug to seek an advantage. Exploiting includes, but is not limited to, acts such as: glitches in buying items, glitches in neutral minion interactions,
glitches in Heroes ability performance, or any other game function that, in the sole determination of the MPL official, is not functioning as intended.
11.2.5. Spectator Monitors. Players who are playing in a Game are not permitted to look at or attempt to look at any screen or device that is displaying an observer level view of that Game (i.e., that is or is capable of showing
a neutral view of the map).
11.2.6. Ringing. Playing under another Player’s account or soliciting, inducing, encouraging or directing someone else to play under another Player’s account.
11.2.7. Cheating Methods. The use of any kind of cheating device and/or cheat program, or any similar cheating method such as signaling devices, hand signals, etc.
11.2.8. Intentional Disconnection. An intentional disconnection without a proper and explicitly-stated reason.
11.2.9. MPL official Discretion. Any other further act, failure to act, or behavior which, in the sole judgment of the MPL official, violates these Rules and/or the standards of integrity established by MPL for competitive game play.
12. Right to Publish
The MPL official shall have the right to publish a declaration stating that a Team and/ or a Team Member has been penalized. Any Team Members and/or Team which may be referenced in such declaration hereby waive any right of
legal action against the MPL, Moonton, and/or any of their parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees, agents, or contractors.
13. Changes to the Rules Above
13.1. The Tournament Admin has the right to overrule any of the rules above. This is to avoid players trying to use a loophole in the rules to gain an unfair advantage.
13.2. Moonton, at their discretion, may change any of the rules. They have the final decision with regards to anything about the tournament.