Mark your calendars! Here’s the full schedule for HOK International Championship 2025, plus bold predictions on top teams from Southeast Asia and beyond.
By Miya Kassandra Lee
Esports Writer | MOBA Fanatic | Proud Pinay Gamer at PH Sport News
🎮 What’s the Buzz?
Let’s be real—Honor of Kings has gone global, and 2025 is the year it officially breaks out beyond China. From Jakarta to Manila, Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh, Southeast Asia is locked in. And for good reason.
The Honor of Kings International Championship 2025 (HOKIC) isn’t just a tournament. It’s where gameplay meets glory. Think world-class mechanics, mind-blowing drafts, and Cinderella stories waiting to unfold.
Whether you’re here to cheer for your local squad, bet on bold predictions, or just vibe with the meta—this is the content for you. Let’s break it down.
🗓️ Full Schedule – HOKIC 2025
| 📍 Phase | 📅 Date Range | 🔎 What’s Happening |
|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | July 5 – 14, 2025 | 4 groups, round-robin mayhem |
| Wildcard Play-Ins | July 17 – 19, 2025 | Last chance for underdog miracles |
| Quarterfinals | July 22 – 24, 2025 | Top 8, knockout style |
| Semifinals | July 27 – 28, 2025 | BO5, pressure cooker series |
| Grand Finals | August 3, 2025 | BO7, winner takes all |
🧭 Location: Mercedes-Benz Arena, Shanghai
💰 Prize Pool: Estimated at $15 million
📡 Watch Live: YouTube, TikTok Live, Huya, Facebook Gaming
SEA fans, don’t worry—streams will have multi-language commentary, including Tagalog, Bahasa, Thai, and Vietnamese.
🔥 Who’s Hot? Predictions You’ll Want to Bookmark
From rising rookies to dominant dynasties, we’re tracking the hottest names and boldest predictions in the esports arena. Whether you’re a fan, analyst, or just love the hype—these picks are worth watching (and betting your bragging rights on).
💎 SEA Rising Teams
From underdogs to potential legends, these Southeast Asian squads are making serious noise in the esports world. If you’re tracking future champions, these names deserve a spot on your radar.
🇵🇭 Gank Gaming (Philippines)
This Filipino squad is not here to play safe. Known for their aggressive jungle dives and no-fear plays, they’ve got the underdog spirit Pinoys love. If they make it past the Play-Ins, we might just see a Cinderella run.
🇻🇳 Team Flash (Vietnam)
Already legends in Arena of Valor, they’re bringing their macro brilliance and calm under pressure into HOK. Smart rotations + solid vision = serious threat.
🇹🇭 Talon Esports (Thailand)
Thailand’s top team in mobile MOBAs. With cross-game experience and top-tier laners, they could cause some major upsets this year.
👑 Global Favorites
These elite teams aren’t just winning—they’re setting the standard. From world championship titles to record-breaking plays, these global giants continue to dominate the esports spotlight in 2025.
🇨🇳 Wuhan eStarPro
The blueprint for success. Clean execution. Deep hero pool. They’re the Goliaths of this tournament—and they know it.
🌏 Nova Esports (Mixed Roster)
Global minds, one goal. This international team mixes SEA flair, EU discipline, and Chinese mechanics. It’s a risky experiment—but it might just work.
🇨🇳 Weibo Gaming
Stylish. Strategic. Sometimes reckless—but that’s what makes them electric to watch. They’ve got something to prove.
📊 The Meta in 2025: Fast, Bloody, Unforgiving
This year’s Honor of Kings patch favors:
- ⚔️ Jungle-first comps – Whoever controls the jungle, controls the game.
- 🧱 Tanky supports with hard engage
- 🕹️ Early tower rotations – Rotate fast or fall behind.
- 🐍 Roaming mids with assassins or burst mage kits
Fun fact: The SEA region is loving assassin-heavy lineups lately. If your squad locks in Lu Bu or Diao Chan—you know you’re in for a wild ride.
🧠 Players to Watch (SEA Spotlight)
- KingZane (Gank Gaming) – Jungle prodigy. Aggressive and calculated, a deadly combo.
- LeoX (Team Flash) – The brains behind VN’s macro game. Reads maps like a novel.
- NineNine (Talon Esports) – Versatile laner, mechanical monster. Keep your eyes on him.
🎤 Miya’s Final Word
From shoutcasters yelling “Penta kill!” to fans waving flags in the arena—Honor of Kings is becoming a vibe across Asia. And this year? It’s personal.
As a gamer, I love the mechanics.
As a writer, I live for the stories.
But as a Southeast Asian? I’m cheering for the teams that carry our region’s grit, heart, and hustle onto the world stage.
Let’s show them how SEA does it. ✊
📢 Got a hometown team grinding in qualifiers? Spotted the next breakout jungler? Want your HOK story told?
Message the PH Sport News team and ask for Miya “I’d love to feature your squad, your journey, or your fan story.“
👉 https://phsportnews.com/contact-us
Miya Kassandra Lee is a passionate gamer, seasoned writer, and lifelong sports fanatic. A proud Mobile Legends player and strategist, Miya has spent the past 16 years covering everything from esports tournaments to iGaming trends and sports headlines across Southeast Asia. With her deep knowledge of digital gaming culture and a flair for storytelling, she has become a trusted voice in the gaming and sports blogging scene.
Whether it’s breaking down the latest MLBB meta, reviewing new online casino platforms, or live-tweeting a championship game, Miya brings energy, insight, and a player’s perspective to every piece she writes. When she’s not grinding the ranks in-game or drafting her next feature, you’ll find her cheering courtside, hosting gaming streams, or diving deep into the latest game patches.
“Gaming isn’t just a hobby—it’s a lifestyle. And I’m here to tell those stories.”