The Group Draw for the 2026 Asian Games Esports Events: Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) has been revealed, setting the final road to medal contention in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Held from 29 September to 1 October 2026 at Aichi Sky Expo, the International Olympic Committee-sanctioned tournament brings MLBB to one of Asia's highest-profile multi-sport stages during the game's 10th anniversary year.
After its historic Asian Games debut in Singapore and European debut at EWC 2026 in Paris, MLBB's inclusion in Nagoya marks the next stop on its global tournament circuit, which will continue with the M8 World Championship Finals in Istanbul, Türkiye, in 2027.
"MLBB's Asian Games debut is a defining moment in our 10th anniversary year", said Ray Ng, Head of Esports Ecosystem at MOONTON Games. "What began as a game enjoyed by millions of players is now a competitive platform where elite athletes represent their regions on one of Asia's biggest medal stages. This reflects how far mobile esports has come—and the opportunities now open to the next generation of athletes."
Eleven regions, one road to gold
The Main Stage opens with 11 teams competing in a single round-robin Best-of-3 Group Stage, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the Quarter Finals. The Elimination Stage will follow a single-elimination format, with Best-of-3 Quarter Finals and Semi Finals before a Best-of-7 Grand Final.
Following the draw, the groups are:
Teams, Rivalries, and Medal Pressure
With only the top two teams from each group advancing, the draw leaves little room for slow starts. For three-team groups, every match can shift the Quarter Finals picture. For Group D, the margin is even thinner. With only Cambodia and Mongolia in the group, their head-to-head meeting will directly decide seeding and momentum heading into the Elimination Stage.
Group A brings together Myanmar, Uzbekistan, and Hong Kong, China. Myanmar enter as one of the tournament's most closely watched contenders after a strong international run led by the Yangon Galacticos core. For Uzbekistan and Hong Kong, China, the group offers a direct test against one of the competition's most in-form lineups, with a Quarter Finals place at stake.
Group B sets up one of the Main Stage's most anticipated clashes early, as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia meet in the same group. Indonesia arrive with a new-generation roster led by the Alter Ego core, alongside EVOS' Albert, as they chase the region's first Asian Games MLBB gold. Malaysia, led by familiar names including Yums and Cikugais, will look to turn its experience into a first Asian Games MLBB medal.
Group C places the Philippines, Jordan, and Kazakhstan together. The Philippines enter with KarlTzy and Kelra headlining their campaign, as they look to defend their standing as MLBB's leading competitive region. Jordan and Kazakhstan will be tested immediately against one of the tournament favourites, making every match in the group critical to the Quarter Finals race. Group D features Cambodia and Mongolia in the Main Stage's only two-team group. With both teams set to progress to the Quarter Finals, their head-to-head match will decide group ranking and seeding for the Elimination Stage. Cambodia enter with confidence after defeating the Philippines 2-0 in the qualifiers, while Mongolia will look to build momentum before the medal rounds begin.
Bringing the Asian Games spirit into the Land of Dawn
To commemorate MLBB's Asian Games Main Stage, MOONTON Games will release free in-game items that allow players to show support and mark the occasion in-game. These include the "Beyond Legacy! Asian Glory" recall effect, "Beyond Legacy! Asian Glory" avatar border, and "Shadow Arts, Perfected" emoji.
Players can reserve to watch the 1 October Asian Games Finals through the in-game Asian Games reservation event from 16-30 September, then claim the Recall Effect for free from 1-5 October. The emoji will be available through in-game tasks from 19 September to 2 October, while the Avatar Border will be available to all players from 1 October, after the champion is announced.
MLBB will also introduce the Hero Personality Card, an interactive experience that works like a personality card for MLBB players. Fans can discover which hero best matches their personality, generate their own Hero Personality Card, and share it with friends. The feature gives players a way to reflect on the identity they have built in MLBB over the last decade and use it to reconnect with teammates, compare their journeys, and celebrate the relationships formed through the game.
Around 20 Asian Games team athletes and well-known professional players from different regions will share their own Hero Personality Cards, encouraging fans to connect with their favourite heroes, support their national teams, and take part in the Asian Games conversation.
