The Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Goes to School Grand Tournament has officially concluded in Surabaya, marking a major milestone in Indonesia's efforts to build a safe, structured, and education-led esports ecosystem for students.
The tournament was endorsed by the Surabaya City Government and organised by MOONTON Games in collaboration with the Surabaya City Education Department. It brought together elementary and junior high school students from across East Java in an inter-city competition designed not only for winning, but for character development and digital literacy.
More than a standalone event, MLBB Goes to School reflects a broader shift in how games and esports are being approached in Indonesia. Increasingly, they are being seen not just as entertainment, but as teaching tools that can guide students responsibly within schools, under the supervision of teachers and education authorities.
Teachers at the Core of a Structured School Esports System
At the foundation of the tournament is the MLBB Teacher Ambassador (TA) Program, an official initiative by MOONTON Games Indonesia that recruits and trains elementary and junior high school teachers to lead healthy gaming activities within their schools. Through the program, registered educators organise internal competitions, mentor students, and guide them in balancing gaming with academics and personal development.
To date, the program has involved over 300 schools across Surabaya and surrounding regions in East Java, forming one of Indonesia's most comprehensive teacher-led, school-based esports frameworks. All participating schools are qualified to host official MLBB tournaments under the guidance of trained educators, ensuring a consistent standard across the ecosystem.
Government Support for Education-Led Esports
The conclusion of the tournament underscored strong support from the provincial government, who view the program as an innovative approach to engaging students in the digital era. Representatives from the Dinas Pendidikan Kota Surabaya, the Pemerintah Provinsi Jawa Timur, the Komite Olahraga Nasional Indonesia (KONI), and Pengurus Besar Esports Indonesia (PBESI) were present at the event, reflecting broad institutional backing for a school-based, education-led approach to esports.
Government representatives emphasised that esports activities must go hand in hand with supervision, balance, and character-building, ensuring that students' interests in gaming remain aligned with academic responsibilities, emotional well-being, and parental guidance.
"MLBB Goes to School is held in a positive environment to educate students about the importance of healthy gaming, while also developing their talents in esports," said Febrina Kusumawati, Head of the Surabaya City Education Office (Dispendik), representing Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi. "The students are not only tested on their playing ability, but also on sportsmanship, teamwork, discipline, and emotional control. We hope this program can help shape a young generation that is able to balance academic interests with the esports world."
By placing teachers at the centre of the ecosystem, the MLBB Teacher Ambassador Program demonstrates how games can be used responsibly as part of a broader educational framework—supporting digital literacy, discipline, and positive social interaction among students.
From School Competitions to a Regional Grand Tournament
The MLBB Goes to School 2025 tournament represents the next stage of this ecosystem. Following internal competitions held within participating schools, the inter-city tournament unfolded in stages, with group matches running from 1 to 19 December 2025, before culminating in the semi-finals and grand final held from 8 to 11 January 2026 at Tunjungan Plaza 3 Surabaya. As the first time the tournament has been hosted in Surabaya, the capital of East Java, the event brought together hundreds of students, teachers, parents, and education stakeholders in a shared celebration of learning and competition. Teams from Elementary school SDN PETEMON XIII/361 and Junior High School SMP Kristen Petra 1 emerged as champions in their respective divisions, receiving more than IDR 50 million in education support and other prizes, including an invitation to attend the M7 World Championship in Jakarta, accompanied by their teachers and parents. All finalists were also recognised for their sportsmanship, teamwork, and commitment to the values promoted through the MLBB Teacher Ambassador framework.
The initiative also received strong support from local authorities. M. Hadi Wawan Guntoro, Head of the East Java Youth and Sports Office (Kadispora), representing Governor of East Java Khofifah Hadi Indar Parawansa expressed his appreciation for the programme, saying, "We are grateful to MOONTON Games for choosing East Java as a pilot location. We hope this positive activity can reach all 38 regencies and cities across East Java."
Looking ahead, MOONTON Games views the East Java edition as a critical learning ground for the program's future development. Building on the outcomes and insights gained, the company plans to expand MLBB Goes to School to other regions, including Central Java, with the long-term goal of making safe, structured, and positive esports experiences accessible to students across Indonesia—regardless of where they are.
Building Skills for the Next Generation
At its core, MLBB Goes to School is not designed to produce professional esports players. Instead, it uses MLBB as an innovative learning tool that is inclusive, relevant, and aligned with students' daily lives. Through teacher-guided competition, students are encouraged to develop essential competencies, including teamwork, communication, leadership, strategic thinking, and responsible engagement with technology. As MLBB approaches its 10th anniversary with a strong presence in Indonesia and growing recognition on global sporting stages, programs like this aim to nurture a generation that is resilient, collaborative, and confident.
