What Is the Malaysia Esports League (MEL)? History, Format and Past Champions (2023–2026)
By KITAMEN Esports Solutions • June 2026
Executive Summary
- The Malaysia Esports League (MEL) is the country’s official national esports league, run by Esports Integrated (ESI) on behalf of the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS).
- It uses a two-tier, state-to-national format across all 13 states and 3 federal territories, with all-titles prize pools that reached RM393,700 (2023) and RM259,700 (2024).
- Recent champions include Monster Vicious (MLBB, 2023), Perak (PUBG Mobile, 2024) and Team Vamos (Free Fire, 2025) — and the 2026 edition, MEL26, has just been teased.
Deep Dive: What MEL Is and Who Runs It
The Malaysia Esports League (MEL) is Malaysia’s flagship national esports competition, positioned as an inclusive pathway for new talent rather than a closed pro circuit. It is organized by Esports Integrated (ESI) on behalf of the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS), under the national Esports Development Strategic Plan. That government backing is what separates MEL from privately run leagues: it is built to widen participation across the whole country.
The defining feature is its two-tier, state-to-national structure. Open qualifiers run across all 13 states and 3 federal territories, and the best advance to a national finals. Some titles are contested by state-representative teams (PUBG Mobile 2024 was won by Perak, ahead of Kedah), while others run as open club competitions — a flexible model that has carried multiple games each year.
Local Insight: MEL Inside Malaysia’s Esports Ecosystem
MEL sits alongside the country’s commercial circuits — MPL Malaysia for Mobile Legends and PUBG Mobile’s pro leagues — but plays a different role. Where MPL is franchise-based and elite, MEL is grassroots and geographic, giving players from every state a competitive entry point. It also connects to KBS funding: in 2026 the ministry launched the RM1 million Dana E-Sukan (DEK) 2026 and the RM500,000 Malaysia E-sports Accelerator Program (MEAP) 2026, reinforcing the same talent-development mission MEL serves.
Quick Data Snapshot: MEL by Edition
| Edition | Notable champion | Prize pool | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 (all titles) | Monster Vicious — MLBB | RM393,700 total | Liquipedia |
| 2024 (all titles) | Perak — PUBG Mobile | RM259,700 total | Liquipedia |
| 2025 (Free Fire) | Team Vamos | RM30,000 / 12 teams | Liquipedia |
| 2026 (MEL26) | Teased — TBA | Not yet announced | MEL official |
Past Champions, Verified
MLBB, 2023: Monster Vicious took the national title, defeating Academy Penang in the grand final, with the MLBB bracket carrying an RM31,500 prize pool. PUBG Mobile, 2024: Perak topped the 16-team, state-representative field over five weeks (RM48,000 pool), ahead of Kedah and Sabah. Free Fire, 2025: Team Vamos won the RM30,000, 12-team national final under a Champion Rush format, beating Southern Tigers. These results show MEL’s range — club dynasties in MLBB, state pride in PUBG Mobile, and battle-royale upstarts in Free Fire.
The KITAMEN Connection
KITAMEN works at the grassroots and collegiate level across Malaysia, so the MEL cycle is part of our community’s calendar every year. We help state associations, schools and universities build the feeder pipelines and rosters that eventually surface at national finals. If you are tracking MEL26, start with our live anticipation breakdown and the KBS grant guides linked below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Malaysia Esports League (MEL)?
The Malaysia Esports League (MEL) is the country’s official national esports league, organized by Esports Integrated (ESI) on behalf of the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) under the national Esports Development Strategic Plan. It runs open competitions across all 13 states and 3 federal territories that feed into national finals.
When did the Malaysia Esports League start?
MEL has run annual editions since 2023, with multi-title competitions in 2023 and 2024 and individual-title events in 2025. The 2026 edition, MEL26, has been teased but not yet detailed.
Which games does MEL feature?
Across editions MEL has featured Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, PUBG Mobile, Valorant and Free Fire, among other titles. The exact line-up changes from year to year.
Who has won the Malaysia Esports League?
Recent verified champions include Monster Vicious (MLBB, 2023), Perak (PUBG Mobile, 2024) and Team Vamos (Free Fire, 2025).
How big is the MEL prize pool?
MEL’s all-titles prize pool was about RM393,700 in 2023 and RM259,700 in 2024, with individual titles such as Free Fire carrying RM30,000 to RM48,000 pools depending on the year.
Call to Action
Building a team or feeder tournament for the next MEL cycle? Chat with Ki on WhatsApp or explore our services.
Related Knowledgebase Articles
Versi Bahasa Melayu
Liga Esports Malaysia (MEL) ialah liga esukan kebangsaan rasmi negara, dianjurkan oleh Esports Integrated (ESI) bagi pihak Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) di bawah Pelan Pembangunan Strategik Esukan. Cirinya yang utama ialah format dua peringkat — saringan terbuka di seluruh 13 negeri dan 3 wilayah persekutuan, sebelum yang terbaik bersaing di peringkat kebangsaan. Kumpulan hadiah keseluruhan pernah mencecah RM393,700 (2023) dan RM259,700 (2024). Antara juara terkini ialah Monster Vicious (MLBB, 2023), Perak (PUBG Mobile, 2024) dan Team Vamos (Free Fire, 2025). Edisi 2026, iaitu MEL26, baru sahaja diusik dan butirannya masih dinantikan.
