Malaysia’s most prestigious esports league, the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL Malaysia), has announced a bold transformation. Beginning in 2026, the league will transition into an “enhanced franchise format,” marking the end of its legacy system with Season 16, which kicks off on September 13, 2025.
Inspired by the likes of the NFL and NBA, the new format aims to elevate Malaysian esports with a model that emphasizes sustainability, ecosystem growth, and global competitiveness.
“This move will strengthen our position as one of the nation’s leading entertainment intellectual properties and create a more sustainable ecosystem for teams, players, and partners,” said Krystal Tan, Head of Business Development for Malaysia Esports at MOONTON Games.
Blue-Chip Partnerships Cement MPL Malaysia’s Growth
Backed by record-breaking viewership and the global spotlight from hosting the M6 World Championship in 2024, MPL Malaysia has attracted a roster of blue-chip partners across tech, lifestyle, automotive, and FMCG industries.
Key partnerships for Season 16 include:
- CelcomDigi as Official League Presenter for Seasons 16–18 — its first esports sponsorship.
- Infinix returns until Season 18, with the GT 30 Pro as the Official Gaming Smartphone.
- Yamaha enters esports for the first time globally as Official Motorcycle Partner for Seasons 16–17.
- Grab Malaysia joins as Official Food Delivery Partner with its GrabFood For One initiative.
- Fairrie, 100PLUS, CeraVe, and Playaz return as strategic and official partners.
These collaborations highlight MPL Malaysia’s evolution from a competitive league into a mainstream entertainment powerhouse, appealing to both esports fans and lifestyle audiences.
Season 16: The Legacy Chapter
Season 16 will be the last under the current format and promises to be one of the most competitive yet. Hosted at the Sri Putra Hall in Bukit Jalil, the season runs from September 13 to October 19, 2025.
Format Highlights:
- Regular Season: 10 teams battle in a Best-of-Three (BO3) round robin over six weeks.
- Playoffs: The top six teams advance, competing for two coveted slots on the M7 World Championship Main Stage in Indonesia, January 2026.
Competing Teams:
- Selangor Red Giants (SRG)
- Homebois (HB)
- Untitled (UNT)
- AERO Esports (AERO)
- Team Vamos (VMS)
- Monster Vicious (MV)
- Todak (TDK)
- Team Rey (TR)
- CG Esports (CG)
- GamesMY Kelantan (GMXK)
Krystal added:
“Season 16 is more than a competition—it’s a celebration of how far Malaysian esports has come. With international events like the SEA Games 2025, the World Esports Championship, and the M7 World Championship ahead, Malaysia is ready to make its mark.”
Malaysia’s Esports Spirit: #PantangMengalah
MPL Malaysia has become a rallying point for national pride. The phrase #PantangMengalah (“never give up” in Bahasa Malaysia) embodies the resilience and passion of its players and fans, especially after Selangor Red Giants’ (SRG) historic performances on the global stage in 2024 and 2025.
With an upgraded franchise format on the horizon, MPL Malaysia Season 16 will be remembered as the final legacy season—and the launchpad for a brighter esports future.
