By Sagar V. Mankar 
The popular mobile battle royale game Free Fire is gearing up for an action-packed 2025 esports season, with Garena announcing significant changes to its competitive landscape. The upcoming season brings new host cities, format changes, and an innovative talent development program that promises to reshape the competitive gaming scene.
Global Events Take Center Stage
For the first time in the game’s history, Jakarta, Indonesia, will host the prestigious Free Fire World Series (FFWS) Global Finals. This landmark event will span three weekends in November, bringing together 18 of the world’s best teams to compete for championship glory. The tournament’s new format aims to create more intense and strategic gameplay, keeping both players and spectators on the edge of their seats.
Before the Global Finals, another major international event will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Esports World Cup: Free Fire, scheduled for July 15-20, will serve as a crucial stepping stone to the Global Finals, with the winning team automatically securing their spot in Jakarta.
Regional Competitions and New Format
Starting in April, Free Fire will host regional FFWS leagues across multiple territories:
- Brazil
- Latin America
- Southeast Asia
- Middle East and Africa
- Pakistan
The Southeast Asian region gets special attention with both Spring and Fall seasons planned. Hanoi, Vietnam, will host the Spring tournament from April 25 to June 15, while Bangkok, Thailand, takes over for the Fall edition. These regional competitions will feature 18 teams each, selected through a combination of direct invitations and local qualifiers.
Exciting Rule Changes Shake Up Competition
Garena is introducing several innovative format changes to make matches more exciting:
- Point Rush Format: Replacing the traditional three-day final weekend, tournaments will now feature two days—a Point Rush day followed by the Grand Final.
- Champion Rush Point: Teams must accumulate points to reach a designated “Champion Rush Point.” The first team to secure a victory after reaching this milestone will be crowned champions.
- Double Points Rule: During the Knockout Stage, eliminations in the final game of each matchday will yield double points, increasing the intensity of gameplay.
- Unique Active Skill Requirement: Each team member must equip a different active skill, promoting strategic diversity.
For more details, check the official announcement video on the Free Fire Esports YouTube channel:
Supporting Future Talent
In a move to strengthen the esports ecosystem, Garena is launching a Global Talent Development program. This initiative will provide workshops and mentorship opportunities from industry professionals to help teams, players, and content creators reach their full potential.
Source: Garena Press Release