The 2025 Honor of Kings Challenger Cup has concluded in spectacular fashion. In a display of sheer dominance, Weibo Gaming (WBG) crowned themselves champions after a decisive victory against Rogue Warriors (RW) in the Grand Finals.
The tournament, which spanned from early December 2025 to January 2, 2026, featured 32 of the world’s best teams competing across Shanghai and Sanya. However, it was Weibo Gaming who stood tall at the end, taking home the trophy and the lion’s share of the ¥3,500,000 CNY (approx. $500,000 USD) prize pool.
A Historic 5-0 Sweep
The Grand Final was a landmark event for mobile MOBA esports, utilizing a grueling Best-of-9 (Bo9) format to determine the ultimate winner. Despite the marathon potential of such a format, Weibo Gaming needed no extra time to dismantle their opponents.
WBG executed a flawless 5-0 sweep over Rogue Warriors. From the draft phase to the final nexus explosion, Weibo Gaming controlled the tempo, leaving Rogue Warriors with no room to breathe. This victory marks a significant milestone for the organization, which had qualified for the event by finishing second in the Annual Points standings during the 2025 King Pro League (KPL) season.
NuanYang’s MVP Performance
The spotlight of the tournament shone brightly on Weibo Gaming’s jungler, Lin ‘NuanYang’ Heng.
NuanYang was the standout player of the entire event, securing a staggering 12 MVP awards throughout the competition. His ability to control the map and find crucial openings was instrumental in WBG’s undefeated run in the finals. His teammate, Wu ‘TingYue’ Zuo, also played a pivotal role, following closely behind with eight MVP titles of his own.
Path to Victory
Weibo Gaming’s road to the championship was nothing short of impressive.
- Group Stage: They breezed through the initial phase with wins against Nanjing JIT and WST.
- Playoffs: The double-elimination bracket saw them face tougher opposition. They edged out the 2024 champions, AG Super Play, in a tight 4-3 Quarterfinal series.
- Semifinals: Another nail-biting 4-3 victory against QingXun put them in the Upper Bracket Finals.
- Grand Finals: After sweeping Rogue Warriors 4-0 in the Upper Finals, they repeated the feat on an even larger scale in the Grand Finals with the 5-0 shut out.
What This Means for 2026
This victory sets a high bar for the upcoming 2026 Honor of Kings global esports season. By defeating both domestic powerhouses and international challengers, Weibo Gaming has proven they are the team to beat.
As the scene prepares for the new KPL Spring Split and future international tournaments, all eyes will be on NuanYang and his squad to see if they can maintain this level of perfection.