MOONTON Games has announced a landmark global partnership with the National Basketball Association, bringing one of the world’s most iconic sports leagues into the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Esports ecosystem for the M7 World Championship. Revealed on December 12, 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia, the collaboration marks a defining moment not only for MLBB Esports, but for the continued convergence of traditional sports and competitive gaming.
A First-of-Its-Kind Collaboration Between Esports and the NBA
The partnership between MOONTON Games and the NBA is built around a shared belief in elite competition, global fandom, and the idea that great games recognize greatness across disciplines. Branded around the philosophy of “Game Recognizes Game,” the collaboration reflects how esports and traditional sports now thrive on the same pillars of skill, storytelling, and passionate communities.
Tiger Xu, Global Head of MLBB Esports at MOONTON Games, emphasized the importance of the announcement, stating that working with one of the world’s most established sports institutions highlights how esports has become part of the wider sporting conversation. He noted that esports, like traditional sports, is driven by competition, dedication, and fan energy, and that this partnership will unlock new ways to connect audiences and athletes across both worlds.
While full details of the collaboration will be revealed at a later date, the announcement alone signals a major step forward for mobile esports on the global stage.
A Milestone Moment in MOONTON Games’ Global Growth
The NBA partnership represents a significant moment in MOONTON Games’ evolution as a global entertainment publisher. As esports continues to sit alongside traditional sports in cultural relevance, collaborations of this scale underline how far competitive mobile gaming has come in both legitimacy and reach.
Recognition from a global sporting powerhouse reflects the strength of the MLBB Esports ecosystem, the maturity of MOONTON Games’ publishing capabilities, and the scale of its international fanbase. It also reinforces the idea that esports has grown into a global sport in its own right, powered by competition, narrative, and fandom once associated only with legacy sports leagues.
M7 Press Conference Highlights Indonesia’s Global Spotlight
The partnership announcement followed major reveals at the M7 Press Conference, where MOONTON Games confirmed that the M7 World Championship will return to Indonesia, widely regarded as the heartland of the MLBB community. According to Esports Charts, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang was the most-watched mobile esports title globally in 2024, making Indonesia a fitting stage for the next chapter of the M Series.
For the first time in M Series history, MOONTON Games will debut a full Opening Ceremony on January 9, designed with the scale and theatrical flair of major global sporting events. The ceremony will blend MLBB Esports with Indonesia’s cultural heritage, delivering a cinematic journey through Jakarta’s iconic landmarks where tradition meets modern esports spectacle.
The Road to the M7 World Championship
The M7 World Championship will run from January 3 to January 25, 2026, featuring 22 of the world’s best teams competing for a USD 1,000,000 prize pool. Fans can also take part in the event through the M7 Pass, available from January 1 to January 25, unlocking exclusive in-game rewards including the free Gatotkaca “Solar Spark” skin.
Inspired by Indonesian folklore, Gatotkaca takes center stage as the symbol of M7, representing strength, resilience, and the nation’s esports spirit as Indonesia hosts the global MLBB community once again.
A Defining Year for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Esports
The M7 announcement caps off a landmark period for MOONTON Games and MLBB Esports. In 2024, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang was recognized by multiple industry awards, including The Esports Awards, the Mobies, and the GamingonPhone Awards, as the world’s most popular mobile esports title.
In 2025, the game continued its dominance by becoming the most-watched title in Esports World Cup history and earning a nomination for Best Esports Game at The Game Awards 2025 for the second consecutive year, remaining the only mobile title nominated in the category.
Jakarta to Host the M7 Carnival Experience
From January 23 to January 25, the M7 Carnival will transform Jakarta into a city-wide esports celebration. Fans attending the carnival can explore six interactive zones, visit MLBB’s first official pop-up store, and access limited-edition merchandise and immersive experiences.
More than 15,000 prizes will be available over the three-day event, including exclusive M7 merchandise, limited-time skins, and partner giveaways. Attendees will also have opportunities to meet MPL Indonesia stars, M7 teams, and popular content creators, bringing the MLBB Esports community together in one of its biggest fan celebrations to date.
MLBB’s Expanding Presence on Global Sporting Stages
Looking ahead, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang will continue to strengthen its presence alongside traditional sports. The title is set to feature at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand, and will also appear as a medalled event at the 2026 Asian Games, further cementing its role on major multi-sport stages across the region.
With the NBA partnership, a globally celebrated M7 World Championship, and expanding recognition from international sporting institutions, MOONTON Games and MLBB Esports are entering a new era where mobile esports stands firmly among the world’s biggest competitive spectacles.
