Mobile Gaming is increasingly leaving its mark on the esport scene. PUBG Mobile has now launched the first franchised league for mobile esports in Japan.
The new league is scheduled to launch in February 2021 and will feature 16 teams competing in the Squad (4-man team) game mode. The application period for interested teams and organizations is open until November 27.
According to the schedule on the official website, the members of the franchise will be determined by December 17. The new league is backed by one of the largest mobile phone operators in Japan, NTT Docomo and will feature a prizepool of 300 million Yen (approx. $2,8 million).
Requirements for Teams
Every organization may register up to seven players to their roster. All players need to be above 18 years. Two of these are allowed to be of Non-Japanese nationality as long as they are not already registered to a PUBG Mobile league in another country.
The franchise partner will also be required to pay salaries of at least 3.5 million Yen to their players (approx. $33,000) to ensure stability for the players.
First Mobile Gaming Franchise League
The new league sets a milestone for mobile esports as it is the first franchising model for the growing market. As of now it is still unclear if other countries and regions will follow suit. Despite its growing popularity and player base mobile esports has not quite reached the same degree of mainstream as other titles like League of Legends have done.
With schedules already in place for the following years of 2022 and 2023, the new PUBG Mobile Japan League will be looking to bring mobile esports to the next level.
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