The Group Stage of the 2025 PUBG MOBILE World Cup wrapped up Sunday, with Alter Ego Ares emerging as the top seed and punching its ticket to the Grand Finals. Of the 24 teams that began the tournament, eight secured direct berths in the championship round; the remaining 16 now face off in the Survival Stage July 29–30 for the final eight spots.

Alter Ego Ares led the opening phase with 121 points, demonstrating remarkable consistency across three days of competition. Close on its heels were DRX and Weibo Gaming, each delivering clutch plays that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Notably, 4Thrives Esports—making its debut on PUBG MOBILE’s biggest stage—claimed second place, underscoring the depth of talent in this year’s field.

Meanwhile, established powerhouses such as Regnum Carya Esports and Alpha7 Esports, last year’s PMGO and PMWC champions respectively, fell just short of the top eight and must now battle through the Survivors bracket. Over two days in Riyadh, these squads will contest 12 matches—six per day—for a shot at the $3 million prize pool and a place in the August 1–3 Grand Finals, which will cap off the Esports World Cup.

A PUBG MOBILE Esports representative noted that the opening rounds raised the bar for skill and teamwork, and that the upcoming Survival Stage will be the true test of which squads can thrive under do‑or‑die pressure.

Fans can catch every match live on PUBG MOBILE Esports’ YouTube, Facebook and Twitch channels. As the field narrows, viewers should expect high‑octane engagements, strategic rotations and the dramatic comebacks that have become hallmarks of PUBG MOBILE’s global competition.