This edition's highlights:

• At the M7 World Championship (M7) Grand Finals, MOONTON Games unveiled a new five-region blueprint to power the next phase of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Esports.

• Türkiye will host the M8 Finals, marking MLBB's first flagship tournament in Europe. MLBB will also headline the Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026 and feature as a medaled event at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026.

• The M7 became the most-watched mobile esports tournament in history.

• Beyond the arena, the M7 Carnival drew over 20,000 fans, creating a vibrant stage for immersive brand experiences.

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Top News 📰

What's up ahead: MLBB Esport charts global ambitions as flagship tournament heads to Europe 🇹🇷

MLBB is entering a new era of global expansion. At the M7, MOONTON Games introduced a five-region structure designed to unify the global esports ecosystem. The new structure spans Southeast Asia (SEA), Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), East Asia (EA), and the Americas (AMER), to strengthen regional talent pipelines. By pairing strong local foundations with regional pathways, the 2026 MLBB Esports Roadmap builds a more interconnected global stage for players, fans, and communities.

All eyes will be on Türkiye as the M Series heads to Europe for the first time, marking a milestone expansion into a new region. Meanwhile, the M8 Wild Card will debut in Thailand, marking the country's first M Series event.

Tiger Xu, Global Head of MLBB Esports at MOONTON Games, said: "Hosting the M8 World Championship in Türkiye is a defining moment for MLBB Esports. For the first time in M Series history, we're stepping beyond our Southeast Asian strongholds and expanding its footprints in a new region. This move reflects our confidence in the growth of emerging MLBB regions and our focus on integrating them into a broader, connected ecosystem. Strategically, the M8 World Championship shapes MOONTON Games' approach to regional integration and reinforces our vision for a unified, global competitive ecosystem. It also lays the foundation for sustainable, long-term development, positioning MLBB Esports for continued leadership in the years ahead."

MLBB will also take center stage on the global sporting stage, headlining the inaugural ENC 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Featuring 32 teams from across the world, ENC 2026 expands MLBB Esports' international calendar and showcases its role in uniting players and fans through nation-level competition. The title will also feature at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, cementing the title's evolution from a leading esport to a recognized competitor on the global sporting stage.

As MLBB enters its 10th anniversary year, its expanding global calendar—spanning regional leagues, international championships, and multi-sport events—reflects an ecosystem that continues to grow in scale, reach, and cultural impact.

History made as M7 crowned most-watched mobile esports tournament of all-time 💪

MLBB Esports reached new heights in Jakarta! The M7 emerged as the most-watched mobile esports tournament in history, surpassing the previous record twice during its run. The Grand Finals clash between Aurora Gaming PH (RORA) and Alter Ego (AE) peaked at over 5.68 million concurrent viewers, according to Esports Charts. This record-breaking milestone reinforces MLBB Esports' position at the forefront of the global esports entertainment circuit—uniting millions of fans in a single defining moment.

"The M7 Grand Finals peaked at over 5.68 million concurrent viewers, making M7 the most-watched mobile esports event in history. The record peak shows how quickly mobile esports is growing and attracting mainstream audiences. The tournament also broke multiple viewership records across platforms and regions. This includes new highs for Indonesian, Tagalog, and Malaysian language broadcasts, as well as on TikTok Live. These results set a new benchmark for future mobile esports events," said Artyom Odintsov, co-founder and CEO of Esports Charts.

Want in on the MLBB Esports action? Get in touch with us today!

Partnership Spotlight 🤝

M7 Carnival: Where over 20,000 fans met with bold brand experiences

From 23 to 25 January, over 20,000 fans attended the M7 Carnival—a three-day celebration that expanded the M Series beyond the arena. With six interactive zones and nonstop performances, the festival offered partners a high-impact platform to engage directly with MLBB's passionate community. The excitement didn't stop on-site—content from the M7 Carnival generated over 100 million social media impressions, extending the reach of brand experiences beyond the festival grounds.

The excitement stretched across every corner of the grounds. 88rising's Stephanie Poetri headlined the Main Stage, whilst fans had the chance to win 15,000 prizes worth IDR 2.5 billion (~USD 147,900). Over the three days, partners delivered a variety of activations drove sustained engagement, making the M7 Carnival a powerful stage for connecting with audiences at scale.

Stay tuned for future editions, where we'll take you inside each activation and show exactly how our partners connected with the MLBB community.

Red Bull brought its signature flair to the M7 Carnival, turning the festival grounds into a stage for high-energy experiences. Popular artists Naykilla, Jemsii, DJ VILOID, and Dipha Barus brough the party to life on the Main Stage at the M7 Carnival After Party, Energized by Red Bull. Fans were also immersed in pop-up dance and freestyle football performances, mini-MLBB competitions with influencers, complete with a branded drinks bar. By bringing its bold, dynamic identity across every activation, Red Bull energized the crowd and left a lasting mark on the MLBB community. Meanwhile, Visa made the M7 Carnival a stage for fan-first experiences through the Carnival Showdown. Former MLBB pro, Benthings, joined by a Filipino team flown in by Gcash to take on local Alter Ego superfans, who earned their spot through PT Bank Central Asia’s (BCA) contest. Beyond the showdown, BCA connected with fans by weaving financial education into the on-ground experience. The booth introduced practical ways for gaming audiences to better understand financial risks, demonstrating how brands deliver real-world value through the language of play.

The two-storey realme booth put fans at the centre of the action. They went hands-on with the realme 15 Pro, testing its lightning-fast performance in 5v5 battles, captured shareable moments in a 360° video booth, and recharged in the Chilling Zone. From smooth gameplay to interactive experiences, realme brought its tech to life, creating a festival playground where fans could feel, play, and experience the brand firsthand. 1PLAY brought fans closer to MLBB's international stars through the M Series' first collectible cards. Fans unboxed packs featuring the tournament's players and traded cards in front of a card wall that doubled as a photo-ready backdrop. The booth also showcased autographed jerseys, letting fans get up close to MLBB's most-celebrated athletes. Paired with the cards, 1PLAY created a platform where the passionate community could relive standout moments and celebrate their favorite MLBB stars.

Fairrie brought its signature focus on watches through the Fairrie Speedrun Contest, a time-based 1v1 MLBB challenge. Fans raced against the clock for the chance to win the Fairrie Dreamwatch, turning every match into a high-stakes, hands-on experience. The challenges also introduced players to the Fairrie Games app, where MLBB fans can compete digitally and claim prizes, bridging the excitement of the festival with online interaction. Gopay Indonesia brought the Land of Dine to life, turning it into a festival of flavors with 20 food and beverage vendors. Fans strolled through the area, sampled bites, and took part in games that made every stop a mini-adventure. By integrating cashless payments seamlessly into the experience, Gopay Indonesia showed how its digital wallet powers everyday moments, bringing together bites, games, and cashless convenience in an immersive space.

Tokopedia created a bridge between the offline excitement of the carnival and its online marketplace. Fans participated in raffles and meet-and-greets at the booth while redeeming promo codes digitally, creating multiple touchpoints that extended the experience beyond the festival grounds. Through a blend of on-site interaction and digital rewards, Tokopedia highlighted how it connects shoppers with opportunities, products, and experiences in a way that resonates with MLBB fans. Haier Group through AQUA Electronic Brand celebrated a high-impact moment at the M7 Carnival by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the M7 and MLBB Professional League (MPL) Indonesia. The announcement came to life at the M7 booth, where fans enjoyed interactive games and explored the brand's flagship products—creating a lively space that blended esports with lifestyle experiences.

Want in on the action? Get in touch with us today!

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Feature Stories 📰

Magic Chess: Go Go establishes itself as a rising force within the global esports landscape 🏆

The GO1 World Championship (GO1) marked a defining moment for Magic Chess: Go Go (MCGG), crowning its first-ever world champion on 25 January. EECA's Emil "TTTS FLOXY" Sagetdinov emerged victorious from a tightly contested field of eight finalists. Held alongside the M Series, the tournament brought MCGG into the esports spotlight, where its inaugural champion stood alongside the world's best mobile esports athletes.

Gao "Skyhook" Chong, MCGG Producer at MOONTON Games, said: "With MOONTON Games at the forefront of esports, strategically, GO1 plays a key role in shaping how we lead the global landscape. MCGG is built on democratic and accessible competition, meaning esports talent from all walks of life have a chance to emerge as champions. Running GO1 alongside the M Series gives aspiring players a shot at the spotlight while helping us discover and nurture talent across regions. This approach allows us to build a competitive ecosystem—one where emerging players can compete at the highest levels and contribute to the reach of esports worldwide."

Momentum continued beyond the arena. GO1 recorded a peak viewership of 290,546, setting a new all-time high while positioning it amongst the fastest-growing esports disciplines, according to Esports Charts. This reflects MCGG's rapid rise in 2025, following its Global Launch where the game surpassed 30 million downloads in two weeks. Backed by its historic debut at the 33rd SEA Games as the first mobile Auto Chess title, MCGG is carving out its own place in the global esports landscape.

Institutional backing builds momentum for MLBB Esports 🕹️

Government support MLBB is accelerating across Southeast Asia, reinforcing esports as a recognized pillar of the region's sporting landscape. The shift reflects a wider global movement as esports gains traction in national sports and youth development agendas.

In the Philippines, the Senate of the Philippines hosted a courtesy call for MLBB athletes who secured victories at the 33rd SEA Games and the M7. Through Senate Resolutions No. 34 and 35, lawmakers formally recognized RORA's world championship run and the medal-winning performances of the SIBOL (the official Philippines national esports team) Men's and Women's teams.

In Malaysia, the 33rd SEA Games MLBB gold and silver medalists were honored under the Skim Hadiah Kemenangan Sukan (SHAKAM)—the country's national sports incentive program. The recognition places MLBB athletes alongside traditional sports champions, further strengthening the ecosystem while validating the discipline. As institutional support deepens and athletes gain national recognition, esports is firmly establishing its role within the global sports landscape and inspiring the next generation of digital-natives.

Upcoming events 🗓️

• March to July: MLBB Professional League (MPL) circuit (First half)

• July to August: MLBB Mid Season Cup (MSC) and MLBB Women Invitational (MWI)

• August to December: MLBB Professional League (MPL) circuit (Second half)

• September to October: 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026

• November: Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026

• December: MLBB Championship Tour

• Early 2027: M8 World Championship

Get in touch to explore partnership opportunities

We're hiring – apply to be part of our dynamic team!

MOONTON Games is always on the lookout for driven and skilled individuals. Embark on a journey within our expanding family, and let's explore the future of gaming together!

Key openings below:

• Sr. Marketing and Business Development Manager, Philippines 🇵🇭

• Social Media Specialist, Indonesia 🇮🇩

• Regional Marketing Manager, Thailand 🇹🇭

• Senior Esports Business Development Manager, Malaysia 🇲🇾

• Campus Marketing Manager, Malaysia 🇲🇾

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