MOONTON unveils the M8 World Championship locations in Turkey and Thailand, plus a stacked 2026 MLBB esports calendar with huge prize pools.
Right before the M7 grand finals explode, MOONTON Games hits everyone with big news. They reveal the MLBB 2026 esports roadmap. And the star? The M8 World Championship is splitting between Thailand and Turkey, and fans couldn't believe it.
M8 World Championship Goes Global
The M8 World Championship steps up big time. It uses a dual-location setup. First, the Wild Card Stage happens in Thailand. That's Southeast Asia's turn to host, and Thailand gets its first M-Series event ever.
Then the main action moves to Istanbul, Turkey. This marks the first time the M8 World Championship main stage leaves Southeast Asia. No more just Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, or the Philippines. Turkey opens doors to MENA and Europe.
It all kicks off in January 2027. Wild Card gives smaller regions and teams without MPL leagues a shot at glory. Winners advance to battle the world's best in Istanbul for the crown and bragging rights.
MOONTON CEO Cloud Zhang announced it all before the M7 finals between Aurora Gaming PH and Alter Ego, and it fired up the crowd.
MSC and MWI Hit Esports World Cup
MOONTON doubles down on the Esports World Cup in Riyadh. The Mid Season Cup (MSC) and MLBB Women's Invitational (MWI) return in July to August 2026. The prize pool? A whopping $3.5 million USD. That's huge money that pulls in top teams and draws massive crowds.
MLBB Shines at Asian Games
Mobile Legends solidifies its spot in real sports. It returns as a medal event at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. Expect it mid-September to early October. National teams juggle league play with country pride. Medals are on the line.
Big Changes in Malaysia and ENC
MPL Malaysia levels up with 8 partnership teams. Think franchise style for steady growth and stronger brands.
Then there's the Esports National Championship (ENC) 2026 from November 23-29. It boasts a $1.5 million USD prize pool. Perfect stage for national talent to grab global attention.
MLBB 2026 Epsorts Calendar
MOONTON laid out the full schedule. Here's what to watch:
- March to June: MPL Season 1 (first half)
- July to August: MSC x MWI at EWC Riyadh ($3.5M)
- July to early December: MPL Season 2 (second half)
- Mid-September to early October: Asian Games Nagoya
- November 23-29: ENC 2026 ($1.5M)
- Late December: M-Series Challenge Tournament (MCT)
- January 2027: M8 World Championship (Thailand & Turkey)
Well, this roadmap screams expansion. From Riyadh's millions to Nagoya's medals, then Istanbul's spotlight. Thailand hosting the Wild Card adds fresh energy. MLBB spreads beyond Southeast Asia, pulling in new fans and teams.