In 2025, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Academy League Malaysia (MAL MY) returned for its third season, organised by MOONTON Games and IO Esports. The developmental league was designed to offer a more diverse and competitive stage for aspiring esports athletes in Malaysia. Season 3 carried a prize pool of approximately MYR 88,700, or USD 20,000. Presented by Realme and powered by strategic partner Rexagon, MAL MY Season 3 was backed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS), Rakan Muda, Esports Integrated (ESI), and the Malaysia Esports Federation (MESF).
As a developmental league, MAL MY serves as a bridge between Malaysia’s grassroots esports scene and national-level competition. Its strongest teams can earn promotion to the biggest competitive stage in Malaysia: MLBB Professional League (MPL) Malaysia. By 2026, the third season remains a notable reference point for how MOONTON Games and its partners have continued to strengthen the esports talent pipeline in the region.
A Clear Mission for Malaysian Esports
MAL MY is MOONTON Games’ initiative to build a structured entry point for young players who dream of becoming professional MLBB esports athletes. Instead of throwing promising talents directly into the deep end, the league gives them a competitive environment where they can develop teamwork, drafting, macro play, and stage experience. The goal is not only to crown a champion but also to prepare players for the demands of MPL Malaysia and international tournaments.
The third season reflected that mission through its partners and supporters. The involvement of KBS, Rakan Muda, ESI, and MESF showed that esports development in Malaysia was being treated as part of a broader youth and sports ecosystem. With Realme as presenting partner and Rexagon as strategic partner, MAL MY Season 3 combined commercial backing with institutional support.
More Diversity and More Competition
Season 3 placed a strong emphasis on representation. An all-female team, Johor Angels, and a collegiate team, MSL x UITM, received direct invitations to the competitive MAL MY arena. The season featured 15 female athletes, the highest number in MLBB Esports Malaysia history at the time. That milestone signalled that the developmental pathway was opening up to groups that had previously been underrepresented in top-tier MLBB competition.
The presence of Johor Angels and MSL x UITM also added new storylines. An all-female roster competing against mixed and affiliated teams brought fresh attention to inclusivity, while a collegiate team highlighted the growing link between education and esports. For young fans and aspiring players, these teams offered visible proof that there is more than one route into professional MLBB.
At the same time, MAL MY Season 3 was not short on star power. MPL Malaysia superstars Muhammad Danial bin Mohamad Fuad, known as Cikugais, Zikry Bin Shamsuddin, known as Moon, and Muhammad Syafizan Najmi Bin Kamarulzaman, known as Garyy, were expected to star with Cikugais Esports. The trio of veterans had each won MPL Malaysia at least once and were strong favourites to secure a promotion slot. Cikugais and Moon were also two of only three players in the world to have participated in all four of the first M Series events, M1 through M4, MOONTON Games’ flagship international MLBB tournament.
Season 3 Format at a Glance
Season 3 comprised two separate conferences. The Challenger Conference featured the top four teams from MAL MY Season 2 and two teams from the Open Qualifiers. The Affiliated Conference featured six junior teams from Season 15 of MPL Malaysia. This structure created a dual pathway: established MAL MY contenders could fight for promotion, while MPL Malaysia junior squads could gain valuable competitive reps.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Organisers | MOONTON Games and IO Esports |
| Prize pool | Approximately MYR 88,700, or USD 20,000 |
| Presenting partner | Realme |
| Strategic partner | Rexagon |
| Backing institutions | KBS, Rakan Muda, ESI, MESF |
| Conferences | Challenger Conference and Affiliated Conference |
| Stage 1 | 12 April to 6 May; BO3 single round-robin within conferences |
| Stage 2 | 12 to 22 May; cross-conference BO3 single round-robin |
| Playoffs | 26 to 29 June |
The Season 3 Regular Season followed a format similar to Season 2 and took place across two stages. Stage 1 ran for four weeks from 12 April to 6 May. During this stage, teams played Best-of-Three, single round-robin matches within their respective conferences. The top eight teams from the Challenger Conference and the top four teams from the Affiliated Conference advanced to Stage 2, the cross-conference leg of the competition.
Stage 2 was held for two weeks from 12 to 22 May. It saw teams from the Affiliated Conference and Challenger Conference matching up against each other in a single round-robin, Best-of-Three format. Teams played every other team from the opposing conference. At the end of Stage 2, the top six teams from the Challenger Conference and the top four teams from the Affiliated Conference moved on to the Playoffs. The Playoffs took place from 26 to 29 June.
A Revamped Promotion Pathway
The Challenger Conference Playoffs format was revamped in Season 3 to offer teams quicker promotion to MPL Malaysia Season 16. The Semi-Finals match between the final two Challenger Conference teams saw the winning team secure their spot in Season 16 of MPL Malaysia. The losing team then faced off against the ninth-placed team in MPL Malaysia Season 15 in the Challenger vs Defender match. The winning team in that clash earned a slot in MPL Malaysia Season 16.
This change made every playoff series carry enormous weight. For ambitious MAL MY teams, the path to MPL Malaysia was clearer and more direct. For MPL Malaysia teams fighting to defend their place, the Challenger vs Defender match added relegation-style tension. The format rewarded consistency across the regular season while preserving a high-stakes final opportunity for teams that narrowly missed direct promotion.
Why Season 3 Mattered
By 2026, MAL MY Season 3 can be seen as more than a single tournament. It was a statement about the direction of MLBB esports in Malaysia. The league combined diversity, collegiate representation, veteran leadership, and a promotion pathway that connected grassroots competition to MPL Malaysia. It gave female athletes a larger platform, allowed university players to test themselves against professional hopefuls, and offered former MPL stars a route to mentor and compete alongside rising talents.
For MOONTON Games and IO Esports, the season also demonstrated how a developmental league can support the wider esports ecosystem. Sponsors such as Realme and Rexagon gained visibility, government-linked bodies supported youth development, and fans received a compelling competition with multiple narratives. The 15 female athletes, the all-female Johor Angels roster, the MSL x UITM collegiate squad, and the presence of Cikugais, Moon, and Garyy all contributed to a season that felt broader and more competitive than before.
As MLBB esports continues to evolve, MAL MY remains a crucial stepping stone. Season 3 showed that the bridge between grassroots ambition and professional reality can be structured, inclusive, and highly competitive. For aspiring athletes in Malaysia, the message was clear: there is a path, and it runs through MAL MY.