MOONTON Games, in collaboration with IO ESPORTS, has officially launched the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Academy League Malaysia (MAL MY). This new development league serves as an essential tier in the Malaysian Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) esports ecosystem, positioned after the MLBB Professional League (MPL) Malaysia. The primary aim of the MAL MY is to nurture esports talent in the country by providing a structured and competitive platform for young and talented players.
The MAL MY is designed to bridge the gap between grassroots and national-level esports. It brings together top competitors from the nation’s leading third-party community tournaments, offering them a chance to qualify for the biggest national MLBB competitive stage – the MPL Malaysia. This initiative also introduces a promotion and relegation system between MAL MY and MPL Malaysia, allowing teams in the developmental league to compete for a spot in Season 14 of MPL Malaysia, slated for the latter half of 2024.
Season 1 of the MAL MY will mirror the tournament format of MPL Malaysia and is scheduled to take place in three stages: Open Qualifiers in February, Regular Season in March, and Playoffs in May.
This developmental league is part of MOONTON Games’ broader strategy to strengthen the esports talent pipeline in high-growth regions. It follows the successful launch of similar leagues in other countries, including the MLBB Development League (MDL) Philippines in 2023 and MDL Indonesia in 2020.
Fikri Rizal Mahruddin, Head of Marketing and Business Development at MOONTON Games, emphasized the significance of the MAL MY following Malaysia’s performance at the M5 World Championship. He highlighted the league’s vital role in preparing Malaysian esports aspirants for the upcoming M6 World Championship, which Malaysia will host at the end of 2024. The MAL MY aims to provide young players with structured support, a more competitive environment, and a clear path to professional esports.
Rachael Teh, Head of Operations at IO Esports, expressed pride in their longstanding partnership with MOONTON and their commitment to developing the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang esports scene in Malaysia. The launch of MAL MY is seen as a key step in nurturing young talents and providing them an entry point into the esports ecosystem.
For more updates on the MAL MY, including registration information, check out the Official Website.
