MLBB MSC 2026 Pick'em Guide: Predictions and Best Picks

Jessica Turner

Jul 2, 2026

MSC 2026 is here with a $3M prize pool and a Pick'em event full of free rewards. Here's how the Pick'em works, our predictions for every stage, and which teams to bet on to maximize your MSC Coins.

Free Skins Just for Guessing Right — Here's How

The Mid-Season Cup 2026 is officially one of the biggest MLBB events of the year, and the best part? You don't have to be a pro to cash in on it. The MSC Pick'em event lets you predict tournament outcomes and earn MSC Coins for every correct guess — coins you can trade for Rare Skin Fragments and exclusive rewards. It's completely free, it makes every match way more exciting to watch, and the better your predictions, the better your loot.

The problem is that most players go into Pick'em blind, throwing darts at team names they half-recognize and leaving rewards on the table. That's where this guide comes in. We're breaking down how the Pick'em system works, our predictions for each stage based on current team form, and exactly which teams give you the best shot at maxing out your MSC Coins.

Quick note before we get into it — if you're planning to grab the MSC Pass or top up Diamonds for the event, LootBar is the cheapest and most reliable way to do it, with better rates than the in-game store. If you want to top up Mobile Legends, head to LootBar and load up before the MSC skins drop.

Let's get your bracket sorted.

What Is the MSC Pick'em Event?

Before you start predicting, here's how the whole thing works.

The MSC Pick'em is a free in-game prediction event that runs alongside the Mid-Season Cup tournament. You predict which teams will win their matches and advance through each stage, and for every correct prediction, you earn MSC Coins. Those coins are then exchanged in the event shop for rewards — Rare Skin Fragments, Special skins, and other cosmetics.

The mechanic is simple: the more you get right, the more coins you stack, and the more valuable the rewards you can claim. You're risking nothing by participating — even wrong predictions don't cost you anything. It's purely a bonus reward system layered on top of watching the tournament.

MSC 2026 Tournament Format You Need to Understand

To predict well, you need to know how the tournament is structured. Here's the setup for MSC 2026:

The tournament is held at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles in France as part of the Esports World Cup 2026, running from July 1 to August 1, 2026, with a massive $3 million prize pool — one of the richest MLBB tournaments ever.

It plays out in two main phases:

Wildcard Stage (July 1–4) — Ten teams battle for a single spot on the Main Stage. This is the high-variance stage where upsets are most likely.
Main Stage — Sixteen teams split into two double-elimination groups with Bo3 matches. The top four teams from each group advance to the Knockout Stage, where the champion is ultimately decided.

Understanding this structure matters because the format directly affects how predictable each stage is — which we'll get into below.

How to Make Smart Predictions

Winning Pick'em isn't about luck — it's about reading team form and understanding the format. Here's how to approach it.

Factor in the Match Format

The single most important thing to understand: longer series favor stronger teams. In Bo3 and Bo5 formats, luck and randomness drop dramatically, which means upsets become far less likely. A weaker team might steal a single game, but taking a full series off a top-tier squad is much harder.

This has direct implications for your picks:

In the Wildcard Stage, where the field is more even, be more willing to consider upsets
In the Knockout Stage, where the best teams face off in longer series, favor the established powerhouses — the format protects them

Research Current Team Form

Don't predict based on team names you remember from last year. Rosters change, teams slump, and new contenders emerge. Check how each team performed in their regional leagues heading into MSC, look at recent roster changes, and factor in momentum. A team that dominated their region this season is a safer bet than a historically strong org that's been struggling lately.

Where to Check Team Form

Follow the official MLBB Esports channels for standings and recent results
Check regional league performance leading into MSC
Watch the Wildcard Stage closely — it tells you which teams arrive hot and which are cold
Pay attention to head-to-head history between teams that have faced each other recently

Our MSC 2026 Predictions and Best Team Picks

Here's where we get into the actual predictions. Keep in mind these are based on team form and reputation heading into the event — always cross-check against the latest results before locking your picks.

The Title Favorites

A handful of teams stand out as the strongest bets to go deep, and these are the safest picks for your Knockout Stage predictions.

Team Liquid PH (Philippines) — Defending EWC MSC champions from 2025 and in great form all year. The Philippines has been a powerhouse in MLBB esports, and Team Liquid PH is right at the top of the title-favorite list. A very safe pick to advance deep.

Team Falcons PH (Philippines) — Another Philippine squad in excellent form. Strong all year and among the clear title contenders. When two teams from the same region are both favorites, it says a lot about that region's depth.

ONIC (Indonesia) — One of the most storied organizations in MLBB esports, and always dangerous on the big stage. Indonesian fans will be watching ONIC closely, and for good reason — they consistently show up when it matters.

Selangor Red Giants (Malaysia) — The inaugural EWC MSC champions from 2024. They arrive with high hopes and a track record of performing at international events. A solid pick to make a deep run.

Dark Horses and Value Picks

For the stages where upsets are more likely — particularly the Wildcard Stage — consider teams like Bigetron by Vitality, another org with a rich MLBB history that can surprise on the big stage. Value picks like these are where you can differentiate your bracket from everyone else's and rack up coins others miss.

How to Balance Safe Picks and Upsets

The optimal Pick'em strategy blends both:

Lock in the favorites for the Knockout Stage — the longer series format makes them reliable
Take calculated upset risks in the Wildcard Stage — the more even field rewards bold picks
Don't overthink the finals — the strongest team usually wins a Bo5, so favor the top seed
Spread your risk — a bracket that's all favorites is safe but low-differentiation; a few smart upsets boost your coin potential

Pick'em Rewards Breakdown

The whole reason to participate is the rewards, so here's what you're playing for.

The core reward is MSC Coins, earned for correct predictions. You accumulate these throughout the tournament and spend them in the event shop. Typical MSC Pick'em rewards include:

Rare Skin Fragments — the primary draw, usable to redeem skins from the fragment shop
Special and exclusive skins — higher-tier rewards for players who rack up enough coins
Cosmetic items — emotes, battle effects, and other collectibles depending on the event's shop rotation

The more accurate your predictions across all stages, the more coins you earn, and the more of the shop you can clear. This is why participating in every stage matters — each correct pick compounds toward better rewards.

Don't Forget the MSC Pass

Separate from the free Pick'em rewards, the MSC Pass is a premium track that usually grants an exclusive MSC skin. Previous years included skins like Atlas and Valentina, so if the exclusive skin this year appeals to you, the pass is worth considering. It stacks with the free Pick'em rewards rather than replacing them.

Tips to Maximize Your MSC Rewards

Participate in Every Stage

Pick'em rewards accumulate across the whole tournament, so skipping a stage means leaving coins on the table. Even if you're unsure about a stage, making predictions is free — there's no downside to participating in all of them.

Lock Your Picks Before the Deadline

Every stage has a prediction lock deadline, usually right before the first match of that stage begins. Miss it and you forfeit the chance to earn coins for that stage. Set a reminder so you never miss a lock window.

Watch the Wildcard Stage Before Predicting Later Rounds

The Wildcard Stage (July 1–4) is your free scouting report. Watching which teams come out hot gives you valuable information for your Main Stage and Knockout predictions. Don't rush your later picks — use the early games to inform them.

Combine Pick'em With Other MSC Events

MSC season usually runs parallel events with their own rewards. Check the events tab regularly so you're capturing every source of MSC-themed cosmetics, not just the Pick'em coins.

Final Thoughts

The MSC 2026 Pick'em is one of the easiest ways to earn free skins in Mobile Legends all year. It costs nothing, it makes the tournament more fun to follow, and with smart predictions you can clear a solid chunk of the reward shop. Lead with the title favorites — Team Liquid PH, Team Falcons PH, ONIC, and Selangor Red Giants — in the longer-series stages, take calculated risks in the Wildcard Stage, and participate in every round to maximize your coins.

Do your homework on current team form, lock your picks before each deadline, and use the Wildcard Stage to sharpen your later predictions. That's the recipe for a maxed-out MSC Coin haul.

And when you're ready to grab the MSC Pass or top up Diamonds for the event skins, LootBar has the best MLBB rates around — more value for every purchase.

Good luck with your bracket. May your picks be sharp.