MPL Malaysia Season 18 starts with eight teams chasing two spots in Istanbul

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Malaysia (MPL MY) is back for Season 18, with the country’s oldest and largest professional esports league having kicked off on 14 August 2026. Coming just weeks after the MLBB Mid Season Cup in July, the new season arrives with the competitive order looking far less settled, as eight teams battle for the championship on the CelcomDigi Dream Stage.

Part of that comes down to how the MLBB Mid Season Cup (MSC) played out at the 2026 Esports World Cup (EWC) in Paris. Season 17 runners-up Team Vamos put in Malaysia’s best showing there with a strong group stage run, while five-time MPL Malaysia champions Selangor Red Giants, who previously won the MSC at EWC 2024, bowed out earlier than expected to teams from emerging regions. Those results point to a more competitive Season 18 ahead.

The eight sides making up this season’s field are Selangor Red Giants, Team Vamos, Rex Regum Qeon (RRQ), Team Rey, Bigetron MY by VIT, All Combo, Invictus Gaming and Team Flash. They remain part of the Partnership Programme, a four-year franchise-style structure that keeps eight partner teams in the league, with the aim of building a more stable esports ecosystem in Malaysia.

That competitive mix is also reflected in the season’s theme, “8 Cerita” (Eight Stories), which represents eight teams taking different journeys towards the same goal. Some will be looking to maintain their standing, while others will be aiming to establish themselves among the country’s strongest teams.

As for the format, the Regular Season runs across eight weeks from 14 August to 18 October. The top teams will advance to the Playoffs, with the top two earning the right to represent Malaysia at the M8 World Championship in Istanbul, Türkiye. It will also mark the first time the M Series World Championship is held in Europe.

Beyond the two spots available through MPL Malaysia, there is also another route to M8 this year through the MLBB Championship Tour Southeast Asia (MCT SEA). The top team from MLBB Academy League Malaysia (MAL MY) will compete against the best from the Philippines and Indonesia’s development leagues for a chance to reach the world stage.

MPL Malaysia Season 18 matches will take place at the MPL MY Arena on Level 6 of Quill City Mall Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Fans who want to catch the matches live can secure their Regular Season tickets here via the Ticket2U website.

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