Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) is at the forefront of women’s esports, boasting one of the most extensive female gaming ecosystems globally. The women’s tournament at the 32nd SEA Games in 2023 reached an impressive peak viewership of 1.37 million, setting a record for female-athlete competitions.
While MLBB continues to thrive mainly in Southeast Asia, its women’s esports scene is grabbing the attention of Western enthusiasts and organizations such as Team Vitality. This European team, since acquiring the accomplished Bigetron Era roster last year, has made significant strides, including a victory at the MLBB Women’s Invitational 2025.
As the women’s esports scene gains momentum, Team Vitality emerges as a leading force, highlighted by their recent MLBB Women’s Invitational 2025 triumph.
Making Their Mark in Esports
In an exclusive interview, Team Vitality’s Vivi ‘Vivian’ Indrawaty and MiChele ‘Chel’ Siswanto shared insights into the dynamic world of women’s MLBB esports and its potential growth. The core roster they belong to has shown remarkable performance, dominating several Women’s Invitational tournaments.
Vivian, playing for Bigetron since 2019, stands out as a key player, being the only woman nominated for the ‘Mobile Esports Player of the Year’ at the GamingonPhone Awards 2025. Her dedication to inspiring other female gamers is evident, drawing inspiration from MLBB legends like Muhammad ‘Lemon’ Ikhsan and Eko ‘Oura’ Julianto.
Chel, joining Bigetron in 2021 from Luna Nera Esports, is committed to her growth as an athlete, recognizing the importance of the opportunities provided by her team.
Growing Women’s Representation in MLBB
The landscape of women’s MLBB esports has evolved from small-scale events to prestigious tournaments like the MLBB Women’s Invitational, which launched in 2022 and has seen its prize pool soar from $6,400 to $150,000 by 2025. Vivian notes the increasing presence of female players, although competitive opportunities remain limited.
Chel and Vivian believe that enhancing the women’s MLBB esports scene requires more tournaments and access to top-tier coaching. A dedicated league for women could foster the growth needed to elevate the scene to new heights, showcasing its untapped potential as a model for addressing gender disparities in gaming.