Jakarta took centre stage on January 9, 2026 as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang officially kicked off the M7 World Championship with the M7 Opening Ceremony that turned the city itself into part of the spectacle.
Held under the theme “Rise as One”, the ceremony wasn’t just about starting a tournament — was a statement about how far MLBB has come in Indonesia, where the game now sits alongside football and badminton as one of the country’s most widely embraced competitive disciplines.
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The night marked the beginning of M7, the seventh edition of MLBB’s premier global tournament, and set the tone for weeks of international competition ahead.
Against Jakarta’s skyline, the event blended cultural storytelling, live performances, and large-scale production to position Indonesia as both the spiritual home of MLBB Esports and a growing force in the global esports landscape.
Indonesia is a key player in MLBB’s global rise
MLBB remains one of the world’s most-played mobile MOBA titles, with more than 1.5 billion installs and over 110 million monthly active users globally. In 2024 alone, the game’s esports ecosystem recorded 475 million hours watched, placing it among the biggest entertainment properties in competitive gaming.
The return of the M Series to Indonesia for M7 carries added weight. The tournament runs until January 26, 2026 and marks the first time the world championship has been held in the country since M4.
As the backbone of MLBB Esports, Indonesia continues to set the pace in viewership and engagement, with MPL Indonesia surpassing 100 million hours watched for five consecutive seasons.
A ceremony where tradition meets modern spectacle
Designed with the scale and polish of a major international sporting event, the M7 Opening Ceremony celebrated Indonesia’s cultural heritage while embracing the visual language of modern esports. Traditional music, choreography, and symbolism were interwoven with futuristic staging and lighting, reflecting both the roots and evolution of MLBB.
The ceremony was attended by Irene Umar, Vice Minister of Creative Economy, who highlighted the significance of M7 as a platform for Indonesia to be seen on the global stage. She described the event as more than a competition, noting how esports and technology have created opportunities for young talent while allowing Indonesian creativity and energy to reach a worldwide audience.
Moonton Games’ Global Head of MLBB Esports, Tiger Xu, echoed that sentiment. He described the ceremony as a reflection of MLBB’s journey so far and its future direction, where cultural identity, competition, and community come together to create shared global experiences.
Batavia PIK hosts a celebration of identity
The event took place at Batavia PIK, a landmark destination where colonial-era inspiration meets contemporary architecture. As the world’s first overwater shopping and entertainment complex, the venue provided a striking backdrop for the opening performances.
The night opened with Rise in Indonesia, performed by the Swargaloka Dance Crew. The showcase brought together 60 dancers wearing traditional attire from across the archipelago, representing regions such as East Java, Bali, Kalimantan, Papua, and Jakarta.
Through colour, movement, and music, the performance expressed Indonesia’s cultural diversity while reinforcing the unifying spirit behind the Rise as One theme.
Mythological elements were also woven into the choreography, drawing from figures rooted in local folklore and ritual traditions. These visual references added depth to the performance, grounding the global event in stories that have shaped Indonesian identity for generations.
Voices of M7 and the march of the world’s best teams
The ceremony continued with Voices of M7: Rise as One, a choral performance of the M7 theme song, Sizzle. As the choir filled the venue, the 16 teams competing on the Main Stage were formally introduced.
Each team’s flag was raised simultaneously, carried by performers dressed as Gatotkaca — the MLBB hero inspired by Indonesian folklore and wayang traditions. The segment served as both a tribute to local heritage and a ceremonial welcome for the teams preparing to compete on the largest stage in MLBB Esports.
As the flags rose together, the message Rise As One, Let the World See Us was revealed, reinforcing the ceremony’s central theme of unity across regions, cultures, and competition.
A grand finale that signals the start of M7
The closing performance, We Rise as One, brought all 16 teams onto the stage alongside dancers wearing modernised traditional outfits accented with neon elements. Inspired by Javanese folk art and warrior imagery, the costumes symbolised the evolving identity of MLBB Esports — rooted in tradition, yet driven by modern competitive intensity.
The performance built toward its climax as the M7 trophy was carried onto the stage by Indonesian MLBB champions Ihsan “Luminaire” Kusudana, Muhammad “Wannn” Ridwan, and Vivi “Vivian” Indrawaty. They were joined by Indonesian bodybuilder and Physical Asia athlete Igede “Igedz Executioner” Dharma Susila, appearing in a Gatotkaca-inspired look.
Their appearance honoured past achievements while passing the spotlight to the next generation of competitors. With that moment, the M7 World Championship officially began, launching weeks of matches that will decide the next team to claim MLBB’s highest honour.
