A new era dawns for Malaysia esports! Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Malaysia today announced a bold shift towards an "enhanced franchise format". The new format will adopt elements from the traditional franchise model used by global sports leagues such as the National Football League (NFL) and National Basketball Association (NBA). However, the foremost ambition of the league will be to employ a unique model that takes the Malaysian esports industry to the next level by creating more opportunities for the ecosystem.
The upcoming 16th season of MPL Malaysia will be the final season of Malaysia's pioneering esports league before it enters its next stage of growth—with an "enhanced franchise format".
Krystal Tan, Head of Business Development for Malaysia Esports at MOONTON Games, said: "Today marks a major milestone for MPL Malaysia. This move will strengthen our position as one of the nation's leading entertainment intellectual properties and create a more sustainable ecosystem for teams, players, and partners. By strategically investing in long-term stability, we are opening new pathways for talent development, commercial growth, and deeper fan engagement. This will ensure that MPL Malaysia continues to the standard for sports entertainment in Malaysia and to set the global benchmark for esports excellence."
More information about the "enhanced franchise format" will be released in future.
Blue-Chip Partnerships Signal Strength of MPL Malaysia as Entertainment Powerhouse The announcement comes amid record-breaking growth for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Esports in Malaysia. MPL Malaysia consistently ranks among the world's most-watched esports leagues and holds the record for the most peak concurrent viewers with 870,000 last year, according to Esports Charts. In November and December 2024, Malaysia hosted the M6 World Championship, attracting global attention and solidifying the country's status as a premier esports destination.
Building on this momentum, MPL Malaysia unveiled a stellar roster of blue-chip partners. The multi-industry line-up highlights MPL Malaysia's evolution from a competitive gaming league to a full-fledged entertainment intellectual property, appealing to brands across technology, lifestyle, automotive, and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). These collaborations reflect not only the league's growing cultural relevance, but also its role in driving Malaysia's esports economy forward.
The partners comprise the following:
CelcomDigi as the Official League Presenter for Season 16 to 18—the first time the national telco giant has sponsored an esports league.
Chan May Ling, Head of Brand & Marketing Services, CelcomDigi, said: "We're proud to collaborate with MOONTON Games and MPL Malaysia for the next three seasons in our shared mission to elevate the local esports ecosystem. Through Arena CelcomDigi, we are deeply committed to nurturing next-generation champions by providing them with the right platform to sharpen their skills, gain exposure and connect with the wider esports community. It is our goal to see them grow, thrive, and ultimately compete on the global stage, showcasing Malaysia's esports potential to the world."
Infinix returns with an expanded partnership until Season 18, with the Infinix GT 30 Pro announced as the Official Gaming Smartphone for Season 16. Infinix had previously inked a one-year partnership with the league until Season 16.
Tommy Xiong, Country Manager of Infinix Malaysia, said: "Our mission at Infinix goes beyond building great devices. By working with MPL Malaysia through Season 18, we aim to give young players the opportunity to dream bigger and fans the chance to experience esports at a higher level. The GT 30 Pro is just the beginning of how we want to empower Malaysia's esports community and help shape its future together."
Yamaha revs up Seasons 16 and 17 as the Official Motorcycle Partner, marking the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer's global debut in esports. The first of its kind for the Malaysian motorcycle industry, this collaboration will herald the launch of a highly anticipated new model during the opening week of MPL Malaysia on 13 September.
Grab Malaysia as the Official Food Delivery Partner for Season 16.
Ko Li Ping, Head of Marketing, Grab Malaysia, said: "Grab Malaysia is excited to be part of the MPL Malaysia community, where passion for gaming and esports brings people together. With GrabFood For One, we're proud to support by delivering reliable service and ensuring that fans and players alike can enjoy great meals effortlessly with just a few taps. Whether you're cheering for your favourite team or taking a break from the game, we're here to make every moment more meaningful and accessible."
Fairrie returns as the Official Rewards Partner for Season 16.
100PLUS returns as the Official Isotonic Drink for Season 16.
CeraVe as Strategic Partner for Season 16.
Playaz as Strategic Partner for Season 16.
MPL Malaysia is supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS), Esports Integrated (ESI), Rakan Muda, the Malaysia Esports Federation (MESF), and Persatuan Stadium Malaysia (PSM).
Season 16: What You Need To Know
Season 16 of MPL Malaysia will commence on 13 September with the first week of the Regular Season. The Regular Season will see the nation's top 10 MLBB teams battle in a single round robin, Best-Of-Three (BO3), across six weeks (from 13 September to 19 October) at the Sri Putra Hall in Bukit Jalil (travel guide to MPL Malaysia Season 16 Regular Season venue).
The top six teams from the Regular Season will advance to the Playoffs, where they will compete for two slots on the Main Stage of the M7 World Championship (M7)—MLBB Esports' flagship international esports tournament—in Indonesia next January.
The 10 competing teams are:
Selangor Red Giants OG Esports (SRG)
Homebois (HB)
Untitled (UNT)
AERO Esports (AERO)
Team Vamos (VMS)
Monster Vicious (MV)
Todak (TDK)
Team Rey (TR)
CG Esports (CG)
GamesMY Kelantan (GMXK)
Krystal said: "Malaysia's esports journey has been nothing short of inspiring. The historic performances of SRG at the MLBB Mid Season Cup (MSC) at the Esports World Cup in 2024 and 2025 and International Esports Federation World Esports Championship 2024 have propelled Malaysia into the global spotlight. Their #PantangMengalah (meaning 'never give up' in Bahasa Malaysia) spirit has become a rallying cry for our community, symbolising the resilience and passion that defines Malaysian esports. We expect Season 16 to be more than a competition; it will be a showcase of how far our ecosystem has come and a celebration of the talent and commitment that continue to drive it forward. With international esports events like the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, International Esports Federation World Esports Championship, and M7 World Championship on the horizon, our athletes are ready to bring glory back to Malaysia—it's our time!"
