MPL Malaysia may be moving to a franchise model like some other Mobile Legends: Bang Bang leagues have done.
Following the success of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Indonesia (ID) and Philippines (PH), it looks like Malaysia (MY) is next in line to adopt the franchise league format.
According to MOONTON Games Malaysia esports lead, Fikri Rizal Mahruddin, its local league is seriously considering a franchise league format. However, for now, the upcoming MPL MY Season 15 will start charging its fans for an entrance fee to watch matches live to enhance their experience moving forward.
MPL MY looking to follow ID and PH franchise league
In a group interview, Mahruddin shared their plans to enhance the stability of the MLBB esports scene in Malaysia. For starters, they are taking serious consideration in following the footsteps of Indonesia and the Philippines and transforming their local event into a franchise league format.
“Looking at MPL Indonesia and MPL Philippines, they have demonstrated the value of the franchising model. It provides more stability and financial security for teams by giving them a longer runway to secure investment and fruitful partnership, a more structured ecosystem for athletes to pursue their dreams, and overall a more sustainable esports ecosystem.”
He clarified that MPL MY may not fully replicate the franchise league formats of ID and PH. However, they will take inspiration and use data from both leagues to develop a model tailored to Malaysia’s unique ecosystem.
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MPL MY charges tickets for season 15 to help enhance fan experience
Last year, MPL MY Season 14 saw a massive peak in viewership. According to data from Esports Charts, the league saw around 812,911 peak viewers. The most popular match was the grand finals series between Selangor Red Giants (SRG), who recently partnered with OG, and Team Vamos, a rising team in the local league.
With the massive success of the league last season, Mahruddin shared how MPL MY is looking to introduce paid tickets in hopes of reinvesting the sales into enhancing the experience of fans who tune in to the tournament matches.
“This will let us improve the quality of our events, reinvest in fan experience, and elevate the league’s stature. Not just within Malaysia, but internationally as well.”
Mahruddin further added that he is aware that this path will have mixed reactions from the community. Despite that, he believes that these fans care about MPL Malaysia and will want the league to grow further.
“I think this is a step we have to take to elevate the local ecosystem in Malaysia. This is also part of our multi-year strategy to ensure Malaysia is a top ecosystem in the world and ensure that we are leading the esports ecosystem in Malaysia.”
Tickets for the upcoming MPL MY Season 15 are priced at 10 MYR (around $2). Based on data from Ticket2U, tickets for the SRG.OG vs Team Vamos is already sold out. The excitement is still strong, with fans showing their commitment to supporting their teams, regardless of whether entry is free or not.
What a Franchise League Could Mean for MPL Malaysia
MPL MY is contemplating a shift to a franchise league model, a move that has hugely paid off for its Southeast Asian counterparts, MPL ID and MPL PH. Grasping these effects provides insight into the possible benefits for MPL MY.
One of the most beneficial aspects of following a franchise league format is how it provides job security for players. Under this system, players receive standardized salaries and fixed contract durations, which helps eliminate the uncertainty that often comes with traditional tournament structures. This means players are less likely to be dropped mid-season, allowing them to focus on growth and performance without the constant fear of instability.
Additionally, franchising opens up more opportunities for fans to support their favorite teams, even within the game itself. A great example is the introduction of MPL-themed recalls, emotes, and other cosmetics. Each season, fans can purchase these team-branded items, with a portion of the sales going directly to the organizations. This not only strengthens fan engagement but also provides teams with an additional revenue stream.
Once MPL MY follows a franchise league format, it’s also likely that an MLBB Development League (MDL) will also emerge. This is where MPL orgs host their own amateur teams and hone their skills in a separate tournament with their own unique format. This league acts as a breeding ground for future talent that esports organizations can transfer to the pro league when necessary.
Stay tuned to esports.gg for more esports news and MLBB coverage.
