Visa, the global leader in digital payments, has announced a landmark partnership with the M7 World Championship (M7), marking its debut in the electrifying world of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Esports. This is the payment giant’s first collaboration with one of the globe’s most popular sports and entertainment IPs.
As the Official Payment Partner, Visa will weave secure digital payment processes into MLBB’s global esports framework. Visa cardholders will receive an exclusive 20% off M7 tickets during the regular sale for the seventh edition of MLBB’s flagship international tournament.
Furthermore, they will have the chance to win an exclusive M7 insider experience through Mythic VIP tickets, premium seating, backstage tours, and meet-and-greets.
Connecting worlds: Visa teams up with MLBB esports to advance digital inclusion
The partnership is driven by a unified goal: leveraging digital innovation to advance financial inclusion and empower youth to live, play, and thrive in the digital age.
Operating in over 200 countries and territories, Visa enables confident engagement in the digital economy worldwide. Integrating its secure payment technology into MLBB’s global digital community, this collaboration is a significant first for Visa in the MLBB Esports sphere.
MLBB, a dominant force in the mobile Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) landscape, boasts over 1.5 billion installations and a massive 110 million Monthly Active Users (MAU). Its seven-year-old esports ecosystem is comparable to the biggest names in global sports entertainment, accumulating an incredible 475 million Hours Watched (HW) in 2024, according to Esports Charts.
The prestige of MLBB is undeniable, recognized by numerous awards—including The Esports Awards, the Mobies, and the GamingonPhone Awards—as the world’s most popular mobile esports title in 2024. This year, it has continued its dominance, emerging as the most-watched title in Esports World Cup (EWC) history.
With nearly 60% of MLBB’s 1.5 billion players aged between 19 and 32, this alliance transcends the game itself; it is designed to empower the next generation with safe and seamless digital transactions, allowing them to fully embrace the digital experiences they love.
In Southeast Asia, home to MLBB’s most ardent fanbase, digital payments are fundamentally reshaping economic interaction. Crucially, the underlying cards infrastructure remains the core of the payments ecosystem, fueling the growth of digital wallets and contactless spending.
This robust foundation instills greater confidence in young, digitally native consumers to explore online—from spending to playing and connecting with communities. By integrating this essential infrastructure into the MLBB Esports ecosystem, the partnership dramatically broadens access to the digital economy for youth everywhere.
Adrian Cher, Global Head of Partnerships, MLBB Esports at Moonton Games, highlighted the importance of the collaboration. “Every partnership should make a difference—and with Visa, we’re going beyond esports. Their presence provides the youth with reliable payment solutions, empowering them to pursue their passions while confidently navigating the digital economy,” he said.
Danielle Jin, Chief Marketing Officer, Asia Pacific, Visa, shared her enthusiasm, “At Visa, we believe in empowering the next generation to pursue their passions—whether in gaming, competition, or connecting with friends—by making digital payments simple, safe, and accessible.”
“Through this partnership, we’re not only supporting the growth of esports but also making it easier for young fans and players to enjoy the game, connect with their community, and access exclusive experiences. We look forward to celebrating the spirit of competition and innovation with MLBB fans at the M7,” she added.
The M Series is returning to Jakarta for the first time since M4 in 2022. Scheduled for January 2026, the tournament will bring together 22 of the world’s premier teams to battle for a USD$1M prize pool. With the support of global brands like Visa, the M7 solidifies Indonesia’s role as a global esports hub, showcasing its vibrant gaming culture on the world stage.
