Honor of Kings shares more details on Global Ban&Pick and Invitational S3

Here's what you can expect with the Honor of Kings esports circuit in early 2025.

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Fresh after revealing its Frozen crossover, TiMi Studio Group and Level Infinite announced more details on the upcoming Honor of Kings Global Ban&Pick and the Invitational S3.

Honor of Kings’ esports circuit promises to deliver lots of action in the early part of 2025. Specifically, the upcoming Invitational S3 will kick things off this February alongside the Open Series Split 3 which is open to all players.

One of the most exciting things about Invitational S3 is the Global Ban&Pick draft format which will finally be introduced outside China.

All you need to know about the Honor of Kings Global Ban&Pick

The Global Ban&Pick format was introduced by the King Pro League (aka the KPL or Honor of Kings Chinese Pro League). Since its introduction, the format has been used in over 8,500 matches.

How it works is that each hero can only be selected once per match series by each team with a total of four bans per game. The exception being a best-of-seven series that goes the distance. If a B07 series is tied 3-3, the seventh and final game will have what’s called an Ultimate Battle where there are no restrictions, meaning the selection of previously banned and picked heroes are allowed. What’s more, both teams can also have the same hero lineups during an Ultimate Battle.

This format will be introduced in Honor of Kings Invitational S3, and it will be used in all esports tournaments of the game moving forward.

Invitational S3 and Open Series 3 Details

As for the Invitational S3, it will happen from February 21 to March 1, 2025, in SM North EDSA in Quezon City, Philippines. There, teams will face off and compete for the lion’s share of the USD 300,000 prize pool.

The Invitational’s schedule is as follows:

  • February 21 – 24: Group Stage
  • February 26 – 27: Quarterfinals
  • February 28: Semi-Finals
  • March 1: Finals

Meanwhile, the participating teams include:

Finally, the Honor of Kings Open Series returns in 2025 with Split 3. Here, players from across the world can show off their skills as no rank and region restrictions apply. The top teams in the Open Series will get a chance to secure a spot in the Regional Pro League.

Here’s a rundown of the Open Series’ schedule and regions:

SEA – Indonesia, SEA – Malaysia, SEA – Philippines, SEA – Wildcard, South Asia, MENA, South LATAM, North America & North LATAM

  • January 24 – February 7 – Register
  • February 8 – February 12 – Qualification
  • February 15 – February 16 – Round of 16
  • February 22 – Quarterfinals + Semifinals
  • February 23 – Final

South Korea, Japan, Eastern Europe and Central Asia & Western Europe

  • February 14 – February 28 – Register
  • March 1 – March 4 – Qualification
  • March 8 – March 9 – Round of 16
  • March 15 – Quarterfinals + Semifinals
  • March 16 – Final

Brazil

  • March 21 – April 4 – Register
  • April 5 – April 8 – Qualification
  • April 12 – April 13 – Round of 16
  • April 19 – Quarterfinals + Semifinals
  • April 20 – Final

For more details on Honor of Kings’ esports tournaments of 2025, visit the game’s official website and social media pages.