MOONTON Games has announced a strategic reform of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Middle East and North Africa (MENA) ahead of Season 7. The region’s premier Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) tournament will return for its seventh season with a more streamlined competitive structure, a new club incentive programme, and a multi-year strategic partnership with Twisted Minds, one of the leading esports organisations in the region. The reforms reflect the league’s strategy to strengthen the professionalism and commercial viability of the esports ecosystem in MENA by improving club sustainability, fanbase, and competitive level.
Global Dominance at Stake
Season 7 of MPL MENA will bring the top clubs from MENA to compete for a chance to represent the region on home ground at the prestigious MLBB Mid Season Cup (MSC) at Esports World Cup 2025. The champion will earn a direct slot to the Main Stage of the tournament, while the runner-up will advance to the Wild Card, where they will compete against seven other challengers for the solitary spot on the Main Stage.
Format Reforms: Building for the Long Term
Effective from Season 7, MPL MENA will implement a single annual qualifier model that will see the league hold only one set of qualifiers per year—in the first half of the calendar year. This streamlined approach empowers participating clubs by guaranteeing teams seasonal participation rights for two full seasons.
Additionally, MPL MENA will introduce a new 4+2+2 team selection format:
- Top 4 Teams: The four highest-placed clubs based on the previous year’s standings will automatically qualify for the following year.
- 2 Invited Teams:Two slots will be reserved for invited clubs. These will be selected based on the club’s influence, growth potential, and contributions to the regional esports ecosystem.
- 2 Qualifier Teams:The remaining two slots will be awarded to clubs emerging from the annual open qualifiers.
Ray Ng, Head of Esports Ecosystem at MOONTON Games, said: “The new format reflects our commitment to fostering a professional and sustainable esports ecosystem in the region. They mark a new era of structural innovation that lays the foundation for a scalable and commercially viable esports ecosystem in MENA—by giving participating clubs more stability and runway to attract long-term sponsorships, build stronger rosters, and deepen fan engagement. In particular, the 4+2+2 club selection model offers clubs a predictable yet dynamic structure, allowing legacy organisations and new entrants alike a stable environment for them to compete and grow.”
Strategic Club Partnerships: Twisted Minds Secures Multi-Season League Slot
As part of the league’s long-term vision, MPL MENA has inked a two-year agreement with Twisted Minds. The partnership will see the Saudi Arabian esports organisation secure its presence in the league through 2026 (covering four seasons). In exchange, Twisted Minds commits to continued investment in its MPL MENA roster and to actively support the league’s promotional efforts through social media, community engagement, and brand collaboration.
Ray said: “Twisted Minds has a strong track record developing local talent, which is an essential component for the long-term growth of the region. We can see this from their Jungler, 7ODA, who has grown into one of the league’s stars. This, together with their competitive excellence and strong commitment to community building, make Twisted Minds an ideal long-term partner for MPL MENA. By working closely with key ecosystem players like Twisted Minds, MPL MENA is paving the way for a more robust and professional ecosystem in MENA.”
Abdulaziz Alkhashan, Esports Director at Twisted Minds, said: “At Twisted Minds, our partnership with MPL MENA is more than a partnership—it’s a bold commitment to shaping the future of esports in the region. We recognise the extraordinary talent and potential within the MENA community, and together with MOONTON Games, we are dedicated to raising the bar for professional excellence. Our mission is to empower local talent, inspire fans, and foster experiences that resonate far beyond the game. By joining forces, we are laying the foundation for a thriving, sustainable esports ecosystem that will define the next generation.”
Performance-Driven Incentives: New Annual Club Award
In addition to the existing USD 60,000 seasonal prize pool, MPL MENA unveiled the Annual Club Award, a USD 10,000 value incentive. This award will recognise clubs across key performance areas including their competitive performance, brand development, content creation, community engagement, and operational excellence.
Ray said: “Clubs are the backbone of the MPL MENA ecosystem; besides being the face of the competition, they are also key drivers of fan engagement, content innovation, and talent development. With the Annual Club Award, we want to recognise organizations who actively invest in the long-term future of esports in MENA. It’s another step we’re taking towards building a more sustainable, professional ecosystem—where clubs have the support to thrive both competitively and commercially.”
Season 7 Schedule & Teams
The new season will comprise two stages—the Regular Season, followed by the Playoffs. The Regular Season will pit the top eight teams from across the MENA region against each other in a single round robin, Best-Of-Three (BO3). The Regular Season offers six consecutive weeks of action, taking place every Friday and Saturday, from 25 April to 23 May.
The top six teams from the Regular Season will advance to the Playoffs. Held from 28 to 31 May, the Playoffs will feature BO3 matches except for the Lower Bracket Final (BO5) and Grand Final (BO7).
This season’s challengers are:
- AXE MENA
- Geekay Esports
- R8 Esports
- Team Falcons
- Twisted Minds
- Team Occupy
- Team RAAD
- Ultra Legends
To watch the online broadcast of Season 7 and keep up with the latest MPL MENA updates, follow the league’s official social media channels on BIGO, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.
