Homebois x Black Shrew Esport (HBSE) claimed the 2025 Honor of Kings International Championship over the weekend, sweeping NOVA Esports 4–0 in a dominant finals performance at Ayala Mall Manila Bay. The win secures the championship title and the largest share of the tournament’s $1 million prize pool.

HBSE player GuiYu earned Finals MVP honors for his performance and will receive an exclusive in-game skin commemorating the victory. Thousands of fans attended the event, which marked the conclusion of a landmark competitive year for Honor of Kings esports.

The tournament introduced the new Mini Battle mode, designed as a lower-barrier competitive space for grassroots players. According to organizers, more than 1,000 competitors participated, logging more than 1,500 total matches.

Entertainment also took center stage, with Filipino pop group SB19 performing Burn The Flame, the event’s official track. The song reached No. 1 on iTunes charts in the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Cambodia across both its English and Taglish versions. Fans onsite were able to visit the HOK Carnival to pick up exclusive merchandise and event-themed rewards. Honor of Queens, the women’s grassroots circuit, also held its finals at the venue, where AG Global defeated Cosmic University to claim the title and a share of the $5,400 prize pool.

With the 2025 season complete, Tencent has announced the 2026 Honor of Kings Global Esports Roadmap, outlining a full calendar of regional and international events. The year will begin in January with the Honor of Kings Invitational Season 4, followed by the Regional Pro Leagues Spring split and the Honor of Kings Nation Clash.

Honor of Kings will return to the Esports World Cup during the summer with the Honor of Kings World Cup, before transitioning into the Regional Pro Leagues Fall split. The season will culminate in the 2026 Honor of Kings International Championship. Honor of Queens will also return in 2026, expanding competitive opportunities for women players.

Tournament champions in 2026 will receive expanded in-game rewards, including special cultural skins, Flowborn Outfits themed around winning regions or teams, and exclusive event skins tied to major tournaments such as the World Cup and KIC2026.

The game’s next major update, Honor of Kings BONDS, arrives Dec. 16 and introduces a new hero, Chicha, along with additional systems and gameplay updates. A year-end reward event is set for Dec. 20.