- 16 teams from AOG, GCS, RPL, and the Wildcard Stage will first advance to the Swiss Stage from 26 June to 6 July, leading into the Knock-out Stage from 10 to 13 July
- AoV fans and players can look forward to an exclusive Thane skin that brings this year’s “Heroes of Victory” concept to life
- Stay tuned to more details on ticket sales in the coming days
Singapore, 3 June 2025 — Garena has unveiled major updates for Arena of Valor Premier League (APL) 2025, which will soon kick off its main Play-ins featuring 16 teams from three local leagues and the Wildcard Stage. After three weekends of competition, the best four teams will head to the vibrant heart of Southeast Asia for the Semi and Grand Finals.
Set for 19 and 20 July, the tournament’s final weekend will be held at BITEC Live Hall, one of Bangkok’s premier venues, ready to welcome fans to witness the birth of the next Arena of Valor (AoV) regional champion.
Under the inspirational slogan “Seize Your Moment,” APL 2025 celebrates the boundless potential of players and the unforgettable moments that shape esports history. Whether an underdog or a fan favourite, every match offers the opportunity to shine and leave a legacy. Fans are invited to be part of the action as new legends rise and history is rewritten.
Tournament Format and Qualified Teams
This APL introduces updates to its usual format, with the newly added Wildcard Stage expanding regional representation from 4 to 6 teams, offering more skilled contenders the chance to rise through the ranks. The main Play-ins will then commence with the Swiss Stage, starring 16 teams — 4 each from Arena of Glory (AOG), Garena Challenger Series (GCS), RoV Pro League (RPL), and 4 from the Wildcard Stage.
A Swiss Stage draw show will take place on 17 June. The top regional seeds from AOG, GCS, and RPL are guaranteed not to face each other in this stage.
Swiss Stage (22 June to 6 July)
Following the conclusion of the Wildcard Stage last weekend, 4 teams have emerged to qualify for the main Play-ins. The Swiss Stage lineup comprises:
- 4 teams from AOG: Saigon Phantom, FPT x Flash, Box Gaming, One Star Esports
- 4 teams from GCS: Flash Wolves, BanMei Gaming, Cathay ONE Team, Hong Kong Attitude
- 4 teams from RPL: eArena, Bacon Time, Buriram United Esports, Talon
- 4 teams from Wildcard Stage: ANK Gaming (GCS), Super Nova (AOG), Full Sense (RPL), Deep Cross Gaming (GCS)
Knockout Stage (10 to 13 July)
A double elimination showdown, featuring best-of-five (BO5) and best-of-seven (BO7) series, and introducing the Global Ban & Pick rule for strategic depth.
Semi and Grand Finals (19 to 20 July)
Held live in Bangkok with single elimination BO7 matches, the final leg promises intensity, drama, and champions in the making.
Limited-Edition APL 2025 Thane Skin
To mark the mid-year tournament, Garena will launch its first limited-edition AoV esports skin, featuring Thane, one of the game’s most reliable Tank heroes. Inspired by the “Heroes of Victory” concept and Thane’s role as a symbol of strength and leadership, the official APL 2025 skin celebrates key moments in AoV esports and honors the players who define them.
AoV fans can look forward to more details on ticket sales for the Semi and Grand Finals in the coming days. Stay tuned for further announcements via our official channels.
Catch all APL 2025 matches live on the official AoV YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok channels, as well as Valor TV. The latest AoV news can also be found on our official channels.
About Garena
Garena is a leading global online games developer and publisher. Free Fire, its self-developed mobile battle royale title, is the most downloaded mobile game in its genre for six consecutive years, according to Sensor Tower App Performance Insights. The title was also the world’s most downloaded mobile game in 2019, 2021, and again in 2023 and 2024.
Garena is run by passionate gamers and has a unique understanding of what gamers want. It exclusively licenses and publishes hit titles from global partners – such as Arena of Valor and Call of Duty: Mobile – in selected markets globally. Garena champions social and entertainment experiences through games, enabling its communities to engage and interact. Garena is also a leading esports organiser and hosts some of the world’s biggest esports events.
Garena is a part of Sea Limited (NYSE:SE), a leading global consumer internet company. In addition to Garena, Sea’s other core businesses include its e-commerce arm, Shopee, and digital financial services arm, Monee. Sea’s mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology.