The path has been set for MLBB esports in 2026 and beyond.
The M7 World Championship may have just concluded but MOONTON Games is already ready to push forward with MLBB Esports in 2026. Unveiled during the M7 grand finals at the Tennis Indoor Stadium Senayan, Indonesia, MLBB Esports is going beyond its boundaries for 2026 – especially since it’s celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
There’s a lot to cover so we’ll just dive right into it here.
M8 Goes to Turkiye
For the first time in M-Series history, the world championships is being held outside the Asia region. Slated for next year, M8 will be hosted in Istanbul, Turkiye, while the Wildcard tournament takes place in Bangkok, Thailand. Turkiye has always been one of the bright stars among the developing regions in Europe. Holding M8 in there is a big step forward to bringing MLBB to a wider global audience.
“Hosting the M8 World Championship in Turkiye is a defining moment for MLBB Esports,” said Tiger Xu, MOONTON Games Global Head of MLBB Esports. “For the first time in M-Series history, we’re stepping beyond our Southeast Asian strongholds and expanding its footprints in a new region. This move reflects our confidence in the growth of emerging MLBB regions and our focus on integrating them into a broader, connected ecosystem.”
The New Face of MLBB Esports
Aside from the most prestigious MLBB tournament in the world going to a new continent, the MLBB esports scene is also evolving. Starting in 2026, MLBB Esports is shifting to a five region structure. Coming this year are the Southeast Asia (SEA), East Asia (EA), and the Americas (AMER) regions. The Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) and Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) regions will arrive soon after. Each region will take part in the Championship Tour, an intercontinental tournament that aims to elevate regional competition.
“With this blueprint, we’re taking a long-term view of what MLBB Esports can be,” said Tiger Xu. “Every community will have the chance to grow and develop its own identity while remaining connected to a larger ecosystem. This transition is as much about integration as it is about expansion. By bringing emerging regions into the fold, we ensure that every market plays a central role in the competitive landscape. Layering development, competition, and community in this way allows each region to contribute meaningfully while strengthening the ecosystem as a whole.”
MPL Malaysia is also being welcomed into the fold as a franchised league. Eight partnered teams will now get to benefit from the stability and opportunities a franchised league has to offer. Plus, it further solidifies Malaysia’s spot as one of the top regions in the world.
Going Global
And if all that wasn’t enough, MLBB is also the first confirmed title for the inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026. With a focus on nations-based representation, ENC 2026 is pushing esports further up the global stage. And with a whopping 32 national teams set to compete, this is looking like one of the biggest MLBB tournaments in history.
Last but not least is the reminder that MLBB is debuting as a medal event in the 2026 Asian Games. MLBB is already a mainstay in the SEA Games, where it was featured for a fourth time just last year.
“Competing on stages built around national representation elevates the meaning of what our athletes are playing for,” adds Tiger Xu. “It places MLBB in the same conversation as traditional sports, where competition carries cultural significance, national pride, and long-term sporting value. For us, this is not just about diversifying where MLBB is played, but about reinforcing esports as a discipline that resonates beyond the game. MLBB stands as a platform that brings communities together and stands confidently on the global sporting stage.”
All together, it’s looking like a very big year for MLBB esports. Plans are already underway to elevate its competitive scene and it only looks to get bigger in the future.
Banner photo from MOONTON Games.
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