Homeground favourites, ONIC ID (ONIC), claim the final spot in the M7 Knockout Stage
The M7 World Championship (M7) has set yet another viewership record! Just days after the M7 Wild Card became the most-watched Wild Card in M Series history, the M7 Swiss Stage, which concluded today, now has the most-watched M Series match before a Knockout Stage. The world now turns to Knockout Stage, where the top eight teams will compete for the USD 1 million prize pool and the world title on the home ground of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Esports.
More fans, stronger commercial proposition, new IPs
2026 marks a new phase of global expansion for MOONTON Games as MLBB takes its place alongside the biggest names in global sporting entertainment. Following record-breaking viewership for MLBB's flagship tournament, the international gaming company has strengthened its commercial appeal through landmark partnerships with international blue chip brands, Red Bull and Visa. As the M Series continues to evolve, MOONTON Games has also broadened its competitive ecosystem with the staging of the Magic Chess: Go Go (MCGG) flagship tournament on the sidelines of the M7.
A series of historic milestones for the M7
At its peak, the M7 Swiss Stage welcomed 3,627,103 online viewers—as the world watched homeground heroes, ONIC ID (ONIC), face down Team Falcons (FLCN), according to Esports Charts. Introduced at the M6 to replace the traditional Group Stage, the Swiss format was designed to improve the tournament's fairness and competitiveness.
This new milestone surpasses the 2.5 million PCV recorded at the M6 Swiss Stage and more than doubles the Group Stage PCVs of the M5 (1.4 million) and the M4 (1.6 million). This achievement reflects MLBB's global growth, building on the momentum that propelled it to become 2025's most-watched mobile esports title, according to Esports Charts. That growth was evident earlier in the tournament during the M7 Wild Card. According to Esports Charts, the Wild Card stage reached 447,251 PCV to become the most-watched Wild Card in M Series history.
Tiger Xu, Global Head of MLBB Esports at MOONTON Games, said: "MLBB Esports continues to grow at an unprecedented pace, with viewership reaching new heights across the world. The M7 viewership numbers reflect the strength and maturity of our ecosystem—from partners, talent development, and fan engagement. The success of the M7 represents the next stage of our expansion as we bring the M Series to a global audience and reinforce MLBB as a leading mobile esports franchise. Beyond the matches themselves, the tournament showcases how our community, partners, and players come together to drive sustained growth and elevate the entire ecosystem."
"The M7 Swiss Stage set a new benchmark for the popularity of mobile esports on livestreaming platforms, surpassing the M6 Swiss Stage peak by over one million concurrent viewers. Compared to other major esports events, TikTok played a key role in driving this growth from a viewership analytics perspective. As a non-traditional esports platform, it appears to be attracting a new, marketing-driven audience. During the M7, TikTok streams outperformed YouTube in major markets, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. With the tournament's final stage still ahead, the M7 has strong potential to update a new all-time viewership record for TikTok in esports." said Artyom Odintsov, co-founder and CEO of Esports Charts.
From 18 January, the top eight teams will enter the Knockout Stage. Hosted by international video game company MOONTON Games, the M7 brings MLBB's flagship tournament back to Indonesia. The nation last hosted the M Series at M4 in 2021 and is home to the game's most passionate fanbase. According to Esports Charts, MLBB Professional League (MPL) Indonesia has recorded over 100 million Hours Watched (HW) in each of its past five seasons, cementing the nation at the heart of MLBB's global audience.
Checkmate: MCGG to crown first GO1 champion
On 25 January, the GO1 Grand Finals will be held on the M7 Grand Finals Day. This marks MCGG's first offline global championship and celebrates the continued growth of the title's esports ecosystem. Designed to spotlight emerging esports talent, the tournament gives aspiring players a pathway to compete on the world stage. The champion will make history as the inaugural winner of the title's flagship tournament, sharing the spotlight alongside the next MLBB world champions at the M7—one of the largest stages in mobile esports. A battle of wits will play out on the chessboard, enriching the M Series through an additional layer of competitiveness.
The GO1 Grand Finals unfold at 12:30 pm (GMT+7) on 25 January at the M7 Carnival—a three-day cultural, gaming, and esports fanfare. Attendees will be immersed in a weekend full of "MCGG Land" festivities featuring live MCGG and MLBB watch parties, interactive experiences, food, music and entertainment. All eyes will be on Malaysia Division's RVL FINN as he looks to add another title to his name after clinching Gold at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. Catch the crowning of the champion: https://id-mpl.com/m7?q=carnival.
Gao "Skyhook" Chong, MCGG Producer at MOONTON Games, said: "The GO1 World Championship marks a major step forward in MCGG's evolution as a competitive platform. The game's single-player format and accessibility democratises competition, which gives players from all backgrounds an equal chance to emerge as champions. This tournament won't just crown the first GO1 champion—it'll place MCGG talent alongside some of the world's most celebrated mobile esports athletes. By sharing the spotlight with MLBB's next world champions, GO1 provides a platform to showcase the skill and strategy behind MCGG. Our players will demonstrate how a game built on strategy and precision can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world's most established esports titles."
In 2025, MCGG emerged as one of the year's standout gaming titles, surpassing 30 million downloads within two weeks of its Global Launch. The title received the 2025 Google Play Best Game Award in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. It also made its historic debut at the 33rd SEA Games as the event's first mobile Auto Chess game, standing alongside the region's most popular disciplines.
Esports and entertainment converge at the M7 Carnival
From 23 to 25 January, Jakarta will become the heart of a worldwide celebration of gaming, esports, and entertainment at the M7 Carnival. Fans will step into the world of MLBB Esports through six interactive zones, electrifying live performances, and activations that bring the M Series to life.
Beyond gaming, the M7 Carnival will turn Jakarta into a vibrant stage through music and live performances. Headlining the Main Stage is Indonesian singer-songwriter, Stephanie Poetri, who will be joined by 88rising labelmates, no na. The halftime show will feature a special performance of the M7 Theme Song, promising a high-energy celebration that embodies the excitement and energy of MLBB Esports. The performances mark the convergence of esports and entertainment, extending the M Series experience beyond the arena.
15,000 prizes worth IDR 2.5 billion (~USD 150,000) await attendees, including exclusive skins, limited-edition merchandise, and in-game items. Get up close and personal with MLBB icons at exclusive meet-and-greets, including MPL Indonesia teams and popular content creators, Ade, Jess No Limit, Markocop, Pascol, and Xinnn. Fans can also catch legendary MLBB players, Ihsan "Luminaire" Kusudana, Muhammad "Wannn" Ridwan, Vivi "Vivian" Indrawaty, in action as they lead an Allstar funmatch on 24 January. More information can be found in the Appendix.
Red Bull (blue & silver) will take over the M7 Carnival with exclusive live performances across all three days. Taking to the Main Stage are popular homegrown artists, Naykilla and Jemsii. Known for soulful take on hip-dut (a blend of Hip-Hop and Indonesian folk fusion music, Dangdut), the pair will kick off the M7 Carnival—setting the tone for a vibrant celebration. On the following days, DJ VILOID and Dipha Barus will take to the Main Stage, keeping the festival atmosphere alive. Red Bull will also bring the M7 to life with a dedicated Gaming Ground. At the heart of the activation is the exclusive Red Bull Energy Zone, open to athletes, VIPs, and select fans. Attendees can enjoy high-energy breakdancing performances by Miyu, Zeem Ahmad & Mr. Liberty. They can also refuel at the Red Bull Bar which will serve its signature energy drinks alongside playful twists on cocktails and mocktails. The Energy Zone is complemented by the Entertainment Area, featuring the main attraction—a Red Bull Event Car. The experience continues into the Gaming Zone, designed to replicate the atmosphere of professional tournaments. Experience the MLBB spectacle, tickets are on sale at https://id-mpl.com/m7?q=carnival.
Hand-painted mural featuring Gatotkaca, an MLBB hero inspired by Indonesian folklore.
Extending the celebration nationwide, M7 is turning cities across Indonesia into a living MLBB canvas. Unveiled during the M7 Opening Ceremony, more than 20 large-scale murals were hand-painted by local artists to honour the tournament and the Indonesia-inspired hero, Gatotkaca. By blending street art with esports, the project brings MLBB into public spaces and spreads national pride across the country.
Celebrate the M7 with free skins!
Extending beyond Indonesia, fans around the world can take part in the M7 season through a series of in-game activities. From 1 January to 8 February, the M7 Pass brings players into the heart of the tournament, unlocking a range of exclusive in-game rewards, including the free Gatotkaca "Solar Spark" skin, the Granger "Thunder Ascendant" skin, M7 Lottery Coins, Battle Effects, Avatar Borders, and more. Those who reach Level 150 will receive the M7 Granger Figurine—a limited-edition collectible that celebrates the pinnacle of MLBB Esports.
The excitement continues through the M7 Pass Plus, giving fans the chance to obtain the Granger "Cosmic Finality" Painted Skin. Players can also unlock the Edith “Verdant Knight” skin for free by logging in for 13 days between 9 and 31 January.
Register for M7 Media Accreditation here: https://moonton.feishu.cn/share/base/form/shrcnM9RRUjlAZlLclwZsR27FTe
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