MPL Malaysia Goes Franchise: How the New 2026 Model Actually Works
By KITAMEN Esports Solutions • June 2026
Executive Summary
- From Season 17 in 2026, MPL Malaysia runs as a franchise league with eight permanent partner teams and no promotion or relegation.
- Moonton announced the shift in September 2025 and formalised the eight-team partnership on 24 February 2026 with the Malaysia Esports Federation and Esports Integrated.
- Malaysia is the third Mobile Legends region to franchise, after Indonesia and the Philippines.
Deep Dive: What Franchising Actually Changes
MPL Malaysia has moved from the old promotion-and-relegation system to what Moonton calls an enhanced franchise format. The change was announced on 9 September 2025 by Krystal Tan, Head of Business Development for Malaysia Esports at Moonton Games, with Season 16 confirmed as the final legacy season. The eight-team Partnership Programme was then formally unveiled on 24 February 2026 in Kuala Lumpur by Moonton Games together with the Malaysia Esports Federation (MESF) and Esports Integrated (ESI).
The core shift is permanence. Under franchising, partner teams hold permanent league slots and can no longer be relegated, which means they plan and invest as long-term stakeholders rather than season-to-season survivors. The model adds revenue-sharing and a say in the league’s commercial direction, taking cues from established sports leagues such as the NFL and NBA. A buy-in is required to secure a slot, though the Malaysian fee has not been publicly disclosed.
Local Insight: The Eight Franchise Teams
The inaugural franchise season, Season 17, ran from 3 April to 7 June 2026, with Selangor Red Giants beating Team Vamos 4-0 in the Grand Final. The eight partner organisations are:
- Selangor Red Giants (SRG)
- Team Vamos (VMS)
- Team Rey (TR)
- Rex Regum Qeon (RRQ)
- Bigetron MY by VIT (BTRM)
- All Combo (AC)
- Invictus Gaming (iG)
- Team Flash (TF)
For Malaysian esports, locking in eight committed organisations is meant to bring stability that the old relegation model could not: steadier rosters, more reliable sponsorship, and a clearer pathway for the brands and grassroots events feeding talent upward.
Quick Data Snapshot
| Metric | Value (2026) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| New format | Franchise (enhanced franchise format) | Moonton |
| Announced | 9 September 2025 | Moonton / MPL Malaysia |
| Partnership unveiled | 24 February 2026, Kuala Lumpur | Moonton |
| Partner teams | 8 (permanent slots, no relegation) | Moonton |
| First franchise season | Season 17 (3 Apr – 7 Jun 2026) | Liquipedia |
| Region milestone | 3rd MLBB region to franchise | Esports Charts |
The KITAMEN Connection
A franchised top tier makes the layers beneath it more valuable, not less. Permanent pro teams need a steady stream of talent, and brands chasing the Mobile Legends audience need local touchpoints below the franchise level. That is where grassroots and corporate events come in. KITAMEN runs Mobile Legends tournaments, campus circuits and brand activations across Malaysia, building the amateur and semi-pro pipeline that a franchise league ultimately draws from.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MPL Malaysia a franchise league now?
Yes. From Season 17 in 2026, MPL Malaysia runs as a franchise league with eight permanent partner teams, replacing the old promotion and relegation system.
When did MPL Malaysia become a franchise?
Moonton announced the shift to an enhanced franchise format in September 2025, and the eight-team partnership was formally unveiled on 24 February 2026 in Kuala Lumpur.
Which teams are in franchised MPL Malaysia?
The eight partner teams are Selangor Red Giants, Team Vamos, Team Rey, RRQ, Bigetron MY by VIT, All Combo, Invictus Gaming and Team Flash.
What does franchising change for MPL Malaysia?
Partner teams hold permanent slots with no relegation, share in league revenue and help shape the commercial direction, a model drawn from leagues such as the NFL and NBA.
Is there a buy-in fee to join MPL Malaysia?
Yes, a buy-in is required to secure a permanent slot, but the Malaysian fee has not been publicly disclosed.
Call to Action
Want to build your brand on Malaysia’s Mobile Legends boom with your own tournament? Chat with Ki on WhatsApp, email [email protected], or explore our services.
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Versi Bahasa Melayu
MPL Malaysia kini beroperasi sebagai liga francais bermula Musim 17 pada 2026, dengan lapan pasukan rakan kongsi tetap dan tiada lagi sistem naik dan turun liga. Moonton mengumumkan peralihan ini pada September 2025, dan program perkongsian lapan pasukan dirasmikan pada 24 Februari 2026 di Kuala Lumpur bersama Persekutuan Esukan Malaysia (MESF) dan Esports Integrated (ESI). Malaysia menjadi wilayah Mobile Legends ketiga yang menggunakan model francais selepas Indonesia dan Filipina. Bawah model ini, pasukan memegang slot tetap, berkongsi pendapatan liga dan membantu membentuk hala tuju komersial. KITAMEN menganjurkan kejohanan Mobile Legends dan acara esukan di seluruh Malaysia untuk jenama dan komuniti.
