The Honor of Kings World Cup (KWC) may have concluded, but the competitive scene for 2025 is only heating up. Publisher Level Infinite has revealed exciting details about upcoming events, including the inaugural Nation Clash and the 2025 Honor of Kings International Championship (KIC). Additionally, the top-performing KIC teams will get a shot at the Challenger Cup in China later this year.
Honor of Kings Nation Clash: Malaysia Hosts the First Edition
The Nation Clash will be the third international event on the 2025 esports calendar, following the Invitational and World Cup. This new tournament is unique as it will focus exclusively on teams from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Host Country: Malaysia
Expected Date: Late October 2025
Regions and Their Leagues:
Indonesia King Laga (IKL): August 22 – October 5
Malaysia Honor of Kings League (MKL): September 5 – October 19
Philippines King League (PKL): August 29 – October 12
The top teams from these leagues will likely receive direct invitations. Previous winners of these leagues will also be awarded team-themed Flowborn outfits. While the prize pool and detailed format for Nation Clash have not been announced yet, its scheduling is expected soon after the MKL concludes on October 19.
KIC 2025: Heading to the Philippines with $1 Million at Stake
The Honor of Kings International Championship (KIC) will take place this November 2025 in the Philippines, featuring a $1 million prize pool and an exclusive hero skin.
This marks the second global event in the Philippines this year after the Honor of Kings Invitational in March 2025.
No Chinese teams will participate, continuing the separation between Chinese and international tournaments.
Top 3 KIC teams will qualify for the Challenger Cup in China this December — the first time non-Chinese teams are invited to this prestigious tournament.
China’s dominance in Honor of Kings esports remains clear, as highlighted during the KWC in Riyadh, where Chinese teams dropped just one game in 17 matches against international opponents.
Regional Leagues and Events for Late 2025
In addition to Nation Clash and KIC, the following regional events will shape the competitive landscape:
Wildcard Kings Series (WKS): September 5–7
Honor of Kings Brazil Championship (CHOKBR): September 5–28
Major East League (KME): September 11–28
Major West League (KMW): September 11–28
James Yang, Senior Director of Level Infinite Global Esports Centre, commented:
“We’ve built an esports ecosystem for players worldwide. Over 160,000 players have created their own esports stories. And in the second half of 2025, we’ll tell these stories even more fiercely, with greater tournaments, lower barriers to enter and more ways for players to make their mark.”
Open Series and Campus Series Return
The Honor of Kings Open Series and Campus Series (KCS) will also continue to provide opportunities for emerging talent. The Open Series has proven its value, with Twisted Minds qualifying for the KWC through it and achieving an impressive 4th place finish.
