Visa and MOONTON Games extend MLBB partnership through 2029

Visa has extended its partnership with MOONTON Games for another three years, continuing as the global payment partner of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang's (MLBB) M Series through the M10 World Championship in 2029.

The new agreement will cover the M8 World Championship in 2027 through M10, as the eSports tournament expands its international footprint. The partnership follows Visa's debut in MLBB Esports at the M7 World Championship in Jakarta earlier this year.

Under the extended partnership, Visa cardholders will receive preferential access to M Series tickets, alongside opportunities to win VIP Zone access, meet-and-greets with players and behind-the-scenes tours.

Don't miss: How Visa's M7 play signals a broader rethink of eSports as a serious brand channel

The M8 World Championship will also mark the M Series' European debut, with the finals set to take place in Istanbul, Türkiye. Visa said its payment network across more than 200 countries and territories will support MLBB's continued international expansion and fan experiences.

The extension comes as MLBB marks its 10th anniversary, with the game now reporting more than 1.5 billion installations and 110 million monthly active users across more than 80 countries.

MLBB has increasingly positioned itself beyond a mobile game through eSports, entertainment partnerships and localised community campaigns. Its commercial partnerships have included names such as Neymar Jr, ITZY, Jollibee, Chow Tai Fook and Visa, while its eSports ecosystem has expanded into multiple regional leagues and international competitions.

The M Series has become a significant part of that expansion. The M7 World Championship recorded 5.68 million peak concurrent viewers, making it the most-watched mobile eSports tournament in history according to Esports Charts.

"We're proud to deepen our partnership with MOONTON Games and MLBB, one of the most remarkable gaming franchises in the world. MLBB is a powerful example of how mobile gaming is changing the way people play, connect with each other, and spend. Every year, millions of fans and gamers engage with the M Series. Together with MOONTON Games, we look forward to creating more iconic moments that fans and gamers will remember in the years to come," said Danielle Jin, chief marketing officer at Visa Asia Pacific.

The partnership also builds on Visa's wider presence in the MLBB ecosystem. In addition to the M7 collaboration, Visa recently joined the MLBB Professional League (MPL) Philippines as an official sponsor for Season 18.

"Our partnership with Visa at the M7 demonstrated how we can create greater value together across the fan journey. This multi-year agreement is a natural next step as MLBB Esports enters its next phase of globalisation. It also reflects the growing international scale and relevance of the M Series. Together, we are excited to deliver a more seamless, rewarding, and connected experience for fans around the world," said Tiger Xu, global head of MLBB Esports at MOONTON Games.

MLBB is expanding beyond its Southeast Asian roots as MOONTON Games restructures its eSports ecosystem across five regions: Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, East Asia, and the Americas. The M8 World Championship finals in Türkiye in January 2027 will mark the tournament's first European edition, while MLBB's inclusion in events such as the Esports Nations Cup and Asian Games further extends its reach.

Partnerships with brands including Visa, Red Bull and realme point to its growing role as a global eSports and entertainment platform for marketers.

In an interview with MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, Jin said the company sees gaming as a long-term strategic platform rather than a one-off sponsorship, given its growing role in culture and commerce across the region. Reflecting on Visa's presence at the M7 World Championship in Jakarta, Jin said the brand aims to build authentic, sustained connections with gamers by embedding itself in their experiences and communities, particularly as Gen Z and Millennials shape the future of commerce and payments.

Discover what's next in Indonesia's fast-moving digital landscape at DMA Indonesia 2026 on 13 October in Jakarta, where marketing leaders will explore how AI, creator ecosystems, social commerce, and omnichannel strategies are reshaping customer engagement and business growth.

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