MPL Indonesia has entered a new chapter in 2026. During a landmark press conference hosted by MOONTON Games, the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Indonesia was positioned not merely as a competition, but as a strategic platform for creative economy growth, national representation, and cultural export. The announcements signaled a shift in how Indonesian esports is understood domestically and internationally.

MPL Indonesia Officially Becomes a Creative Playground

At the center of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between MOONTON Games and Tale X, supported by the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency (Ekraf). The agreement formally designates MPL Indonesia as a "Creative Playground" for the nation. This is not a symbolic label; it is intended as a working ecosystem that allows local creators to develop intellectual property, integrate it into the league, and connect it with a mass audience.

What does that mean in practical terms? Instead of treating local creative works as side attractions, the league will embed them into one of Indonesia's most-watched esports platforms. For the first time, six Indonesian-developed IPs will be introduced into the MPL Indonesia ecosystem under a structured institutional framework. This move bridges the gap between creative production and large-scale distribution, giving local works a rare opportunity to scale, travel, and compete on the global stage.

Irene Umar, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency, noted that M7 had beautifully demonstrated how traditional cultural performances can intertwine with the gaming world. She added that this season MPL had boldly declared, "This Is Indonesia." She expressed hope that all parties could continue to collaborate together, with one concrete step being the official designation of MPL as a Creative Playground for Indonesia.

Joshua Budiman, Co-founder and Director of Tale X, added that MPL Indonesia is not just a league, but an ecosystem that connects gaming with the local creative economy. Through the collaboration, local IPs are not only showcased but streamed to mass audiences across the world, creating real value across content, brands, and commercial partnerships.

Key Initiative	Details
Creative Playground designation	MPL Indonesia becomes a national platform for local IP development
Local IP integration	Six Indonesian-developed IPs introduced into the league ecosystem
National team coach appointment	New coach named for Esports Nations Cup 2026 and Asian Games 2026
Season 17 Playoffs	Jakarta International Velodrome, tickets available from 2 May

Strengthening Indonesia's National Esports Ambitions

Alongside the creative economy MoU, the Pengurus Besar Esports Indonesia (PB ESI) announced the newly appointed coach of Indonesia's national MLBB Esports team for the Esports Nations Cup 2026 and Asian Games 2026. The appointment marks the next phase in the country's international esports ambitions and is supported by a joint commitment between PB ESI and MOONTON Games to strengthen the national team programme.

The focus is clear: structured preparation, performance development, and international competitiveness. Could this be the moment when Indonesian esports moves from raw talent to long-term consistency? Glorya Famiela Ralahalo, National Teams Manager at PB ESI, emphasized that the goal is not just to participate, but to perform. She explained that together with MOONTON Games, they are building a system that supports players with the right structure, preparation, and experience so that Indonesia can deliver strong results and represent the nation with pride on the world stage.

Season 17 Playoffs Return to the Jakarta International Velodrome

The press conference also confirmed that the MPL Indonesia Season 17 Playoffs will once again be held at the Jakarta International Velodrome. The venue has become a defining stage for MPL Indonesia, where thousands of fans gather to experience the league live.

Its return signals not only continued fan demand, but also the league's ability to consistently deliver large-scale, stadium-level esports experiences. Tickets for the Playoffs will be available starting from Saturday, 2 May.

Moving Beyond Competition

New on-ground activations will also be available during the Playoffs, with a focus on bringing fans closer to the action through live entertainment, community experiences, and immersive event programming. These developments reinforce MPL Indonesia's evolution into a platform that extends beyond competition, combining live entertainment, content, and community engagement to create a more immersive experience for fans.

Martinus H. Manurung, Head of Esports Business Development at MOONTON Indonesia, reflected on the league's growth over the past decade. He noted that MPL Indonesia has grown into more than a competition and has become a platform that connects millions of Indonesians. According to him, the role now is to ensure that this scale creates real impact by supporting local creators, strengthening national teams, and working with partners to position Indonesia as a leader in global esports.

By combining local IP development, national team preparation, and stadium-level fan experiences, MPL Indonesia is demonstrating that an esports league can be more than a tournament. How far this Creative Playground model can travel remains to be seen, but the foundation has clearly been set.