With their victory at the EWC, Team Vitality challenges global perceptions of competitive mobile gaming and women in esports.

France-based organization Team Vitality has just crowned itself with a historic fourth championship title, this time at the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026. Their victory is more than a win; it’s a statement against skepticism about the legitimacy of mobile gaming and women's participation in esports.

The impact extends well beyond their Indonesian roster. According to esports data platform Esports Charts, over half a million viewers tuned in to witness this achievement, marking the highest-ever peak viewership for MLBB Women's International (MWI). As the second most-watched mobile esports event globally after LoL World Championships, Team Vitality is leading the charge against Western media and sponsor biases that continue to hold back mobile gaming.

Intense Training for Competitive Excellence

Chel Siswanto, a star of Team Vitality's MLBB roster, emphasized the rigorous training regimen required for success. ‘We started practicing for the EWC like two months before the event,’ she said. ‘We scrimmed from 1 pm and did warm-up games from 11 am until we wrapped up at 9 pm. Outside this, we played ranked games during our free time.’ The dedication mirrors their performance, with the team winning four out of five MWI trophies since 2019.

Challenging Gender Stereotypes

The Bigetron Era, which became Team Vitality in 2021 after acquisition, has solidified its reputation as a powerhouse in competitive MLBB. As Cinny Siswanto put it, ‘The meta keeps changing very fast, making Mobile Legends fun to play with. It’s different every month.’ This highlights the dynamic nature of mobile gaming that defies traditional gaming stereotypes.

Breaking Stigmas and Winning Successes

Laner Chel Siswanto elaborated on maintaining their success: ‘Experience is key as I’ve been playing with this team for so long. All I have to do is execute it right.’ Meanwhile, Viorelle “Vival” Chen added that experience and consistency are critical in evolving meta play, where teamwork trumps individual skill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question?

How does Team Vitality prepare for major events like the EWC?

Their intense training regimen of six days a week, with practice from 11 am until 9 pm, emphasizes the importance of dedicated preparation.

Question?

What challenges do mobile esports face in Western audiences?

The main challenge is 'mobile stigma,' which includes negative perceptions and biases against mobile games as less legitimate than traditional titles like CS:GO or League of Legends.