Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Malaysia (MPL MY) had entered a new era ahead of Season 17. After operating for years under a non-franchise structure, Moonton had finally prepared to transform MPL MY into a full franchise league. This transition had immediately sparked discussions within the community, especially because Malaysia had possessed competitive dynamics very different from Indonesia and the Philippines.

Public excitement had grown as more people had wanted to understand how the new system would work. The shift toward the Franchise MPL MY system had not only affected the teams, but also the league ecosystem as a whole—its competitive structure, business model, and team selection process. Many observers had predicted that this system would bring greater stability to Malaysian esports organizations.

However, alongside the enthusiasm, major questions had also emerged. What would the new league format look like? Would the system have followed MPL ID and MPL PH? Would teams have needed to buy a slot? Or would Moonton have implemented a different model altogether? These topics had already circulated widely in Malaysian podcasts and community discussions.

From all the early rumors and information circulating, one thing had become clear: the Franchise MPL MY system would not mirror the systems of the other two regions. Fundamental differences had appeared in revenue mechanisms, slot ownership status, and the criteria for teams allowed into the league.

Franchise MPL MY Had Been Different, Reportedly Using a 4-Year Slot Rental System

According to several sources, MPL MY had been set to launch its franchise format in Season 17 with a total of eight participating teams, competing across two legs in the regular season—similar to the franchise setup in other countries. However, unlike MPL ID and MPL PH, Moonton Malaysia had reportedly chosen not to apply a permanent slot purchase system.

Based on internal information obtained by Dunia Games, the system in effect had not been a slot-buying model but rather a four-year slot rental system, covering eight competitive seasons. The rental price had been estimated at around IDR 3 billion to IDR 4 billion for each team over the four-year period.

Interestingly, Moonton had also arranged to return a certain percentage of revenue periodically to teams renting the slot throughout those eight seasons. This mechanism had differed greatly from other regions that sold permanent slots without offering refunds. The rental approach had been considered more “friendly” for local organizations with limited financial resources, allowing them to enter the franchise league without excessive capital pressure.

Within the Franchise MPL MY regulations, an additional rule had been enforced: teams that rented a slot had not been allowed to sell, transfer, or hand over their slot during the four-year contract. Unlike other franchise systems that permit slot transactions, this policy had been designed to ensure every team committed fully for all eight seasons without speculative flipping. Moonton had aimed to maintain competitive stability and preserve the long-term identity of each organization within the league.

Moonton had also established specific priorities for slot candidates. Organizations already owning two teams in two separate regions had not been allowed to acquire a third team in another region. This meant organizations like ONIC and Team Liquid had been automatically disqualified from entering the Franchise MPL MY, even though they possessed significant infrastructure.

The confirmation regarding the number of teams, the two-leg format, and the slot mechanism had marked the beginning of a major structural shift for MLBB competition in Malaysia. With the four-year rental system, Malaysia’s esports ecosystem had been expected to gain stronger foundations while encouraging greater professionalism from participating organizations.

Through these various regulations, it had become evident that the Franchise MPL MY model was building a distinct identity, separate from MPL ID and MPL PH. From its slot structure to its team-selection priorities and contract duration, the system had been tailored specifically to the needs of the Malaysian market.

Overall, the franchise model had represented not just a league overhaul, but also a major initiative to develop a more mature, stable, and locally supportive esports ecosystem. If implemented as planned, Malaysia had been poised to enter a stronger and more professional competitive era than ever before.

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