Exciting news for esports enthusiasts: Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) has been officially announced as a medalled event at the 2026 Asian Games. This marks the first time the immensely popular mobile esports title will feature at the prestigious continental multi-sport event. The announcement was made by the Olympic Council of Asia on February 22, 2025.
The Asian Games, held every four years, is the largest sports competition in Asia. Esports made its debut as a demonstration sport at the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang in 2018 and became a full medal sport at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023. The 20th edition of the Asian Games will take place in Nachi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026.
MLBB, developed by MOONTON Games, is one of the world’s most popular mobile esports titles. It has achieved the milestone of being the first esports event series to surpass 1 billion hours of watch time, according to Esports Charts. With over 1.5 billion installations and 110 million active monthly users, MLBB continues to captivate a global audience.
Ray Ng, Head of Esports Ecosystem at MOONTON Games, expressed his excitement about MLBB’s inclusion in the Asian Games, stating: “MLBB’s inclusion at the 2026 Asian Games reflects its status as a premier mobile esport, known for its accessibility, strategic depth, and global appeal. This historic milestone not only validates MLBB’s impact on competitive gaming; it also reinforces MLBB’s role in uniting diverse communities through high-level play. We thank the Olympic Council of Asia committee for the honour of showcasing MLBB’s qualities on this prestigious stage and look forward to witnessing the Games’ top-tier competition that will inspire the next generation of esports athletes.”
In addition to its debut at the Asian Games, MLBB will also headline esports at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand in December 2025. This will be the fourth consecutive time that MLBB is a medalled sport at the biennial multi-sporting event, featuring both men’s and women’s competitions. MLBB holds the records for the most-watched esports event in SEA Games history, with impressive peak concurrent viewership numbers for both categories at the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia.
As MLBB prepares to make its mark at the 2026 Asian Games, fans can look forward to thrilling competitions and the continued growth of this dynamic esport. Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to witness the excitement of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang on the grand stage.
