The amateur-friendly Open Series is also returning, starting this month
For the first time ever, the Honor of Kings Invitational will take place in the Philippines. From Feb 21 – March 1, 2025, pro teams from around the world will clash for glory and a share of the US$300,000 prize pool.
The top teams will meet at SM City North EDSA in Metro Manila, one of the region’s most vibrant gaming communities.
Here’s the full Invitational S3 schedule:
- Feb 21–24: Group Stage
- Feb 26–27: Quarterfinals
- Feb 28: Semi-Finals
- March 1: Finals
‘Global Ban & Pick’ spices up competition
One of the most exciting updates is the introduction of the Global Ban & Pick system, which will debut at the Honor of Kings Invitational S3 and remain a staple in all future tournaments. This system, originally introduced in 2018 in the King Pro League (KPL), adds a layer of strategy by ensuring that each hero can only be selected once per match series by each team, with four bans per game.
In a best-of-seven (BO7) series, an Ultimate Battle kicks off if the match is tied 3-3 after six games. In this tiebreaker, all previously banned or picked heroes are up for grabs, and both teams can choose identical lineups.
“Honor of Kings is the pioneer in the industry to implement the Global Ban & Pick and has successfully utilized it in more than 8,500 matches, which sets the stage for even more. We are thrilled to kick off a year of thrilling competition, from grassroots to pros,” said James Yang, senior director at Level Infinite Global Esports Center.
With over 8,500 matches already utilizing this system in the KPL, its implementation on the international stage is sure to elevate gameplay and deliver unforgettable moments.
The Honor of Kings Open Series returns
For amateur players dreaming of esports glory, the Honor of Kings Open Series is back and bigger than ever in 2025. This global platform is open to players of all rankings and regions, providing a true launchpad for aspiring competitors.
Top-performing teams from the Open Series will secure spots in the Regional Pro League, where they’ll face off against the best in the world and potentially earn a place in international tournaments.
The competition follows three stages—registration and qualifiers, top 16 elimination rounds, and finals—with a schedule tailored to various regions:
SEA (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Wildcard), South Asia, MENA, South LATAM, North America, and North LATAM
- Jan 24–Feb 7: Registration
- Feb 8–12: Qualification
- Feb 15–16: Round of 16
- Feb 22: Quarterfinals + Semifinals
- Feb 23: Finals
South Korea, Japan, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Western Europe
- Feb 14–28: Registration
- March 1–4: Qualification
- March 8–9: Round of 16
- March 15: Quarterfinals + Semifinals
- March 16: Finals
Brazil
- March 21–April 4: Registration
- April 5–8: Qualification
- April 12–13: Round of 16
- April 19: Quarterfinals + Semifinals
- April 20: Finals
With no restrictions on rank or region, this inclusive event offers players at all levels the chance to shine on a global stage.
How to watch and stay updated
Fans can catch all the action from the Honor of Kings Invitational S3 and Open Series on the game’s official channels:
- Twitch: @hok_global_esports
- YouTube: @hokglobalesports
- Facebook: @hokglobalesports
- TikTok: @hokglobalesports
Whether you’re a player or a spectator, 2025 offers something for everyone. Start preparing your strategies—or get ready to spectate some of the most creative plays in Honor of Kings history!
