International video game company, MOONTON Games, officially announced Japan's participation in the 2026 Hero Asian Champions League (ACL) × Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Championship Tour (MCT) East Asia (EA) 2026. The tournament will take place from 22 to 24 May at the Star Ring Center in Shanghai, featuring top MLBB teams from Japan, China, Mongolia, and South Korea.
This marks the first time Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) has been incorporated into the Hero Asian Champions League (ACL) ecosystem. As the premier MLBB tournament in East Asia, MCT EA 2026 will also serve as the region's first pan-regional MLBB competition ahead of the Asian Games, uniting six of East Asia's top teams on one stage.
The MCT EA tournament results will determine qualification for the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid Season Cup 2026 at the Esports World Cup 2026. A total of four qualification slots are at stake: the champion will advance directly to the MSC Main Event, while the remaining three teams will secure Wild Card berths—the only pathway for East Asian teams to qualify for the international tournament.
During the M7 World Championship, the seventh edition of MLBB's flagship international esports event, MOONTON Games unveiled its five-region strategy for the global MLBB esports ecosystem—anchored by dedicated competitive circuits across Southeast Asia (SEA), Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), East Asia (EA), and the Americas (AMER).
Mike Chu, Head of the East Asia Esports at MOONTON Games, said: "As the first East Asia event under the global MCT system for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, MCT EA’s inclusion in the Hero Asian Champions League marks an important milestone for the region's esports development. Together with Hero Esports, we are proud to bring the top teams from China, Japan, South Korea, and Mongolia onto one competitive stage, creating greater opportunities for regional talent to compete, grow, and reach the international spotlight. Through a fair and professional tournament ecosystem, we aim to support both established powerhouses and rising teams from emerging markets. Looking ahead, MOONTON Games remains committed to strengthening the MLBB East Asian esports ecosystem by investing in talent development, tournament infrastructure, and the continued growth of mobile esports on the global stage."
All six participating teams from the East Asia that won their respective regional qualifiers have been confirmed. China will be represented by GZG and YBG, while Mongolia will field The MongolZ and The Modun. Japan's representative is Sunset Ravens, while South Korea will be represented by Feiyun Esports.
To further strengthen the East Asia region and elevate its role within the global MLBB esports ecosystem, this year's MCT EA will feature a two-group competition format: the Mythical Group and the Legendary Group.
The Mythical Group consists of GZG, The MongolZ, and Sunset Ravens, while the Legendary Group features YBG, The Modun, and Feiyun Esports. Teams in the Legendary Group will first compete in a single round-robin Best-of-Three (BO3) stage, with the top three advancing to the Knockout Stage. They will then join the Mythical Group teams in a BO3 double-elimination playoff bracket.
The official tournament schedule is as follows:
22 May – Qualification Stage (17:00): Legendary Group teams compete in a BO3 single round-robin format to determine the three teams advancing to playoffs.
23 May – Knockout Stage (16:00): Qualified teams join the Mythical Group in a BO3 double-elimination bracket.
24 May – Grand Finals (17:00): The Losers' Final and Grand Final will both be played in a Best-of-Five (BO5) format.
The tournament champion will qualify directly for the MSC at the EWC 26 Main Stage, while the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place teams will secure Wild Card slots.
Spectator registration for the event is now officially open, allowing fans to witness East Asia's top MLBB teams compete live and support their favorite teams on-site.
