MLBB M7 World Championship Generated $186 Million in Partner Brand Value

The Mobile Legends: Bang Bang M7 World Championship has reportedly generated around €158 million (approximately $186 million) in partner brand value, according to a recent case study by Shikenso and MOONTON Games. The figure reflects a 37.7% increase compared to M6, showing how fast MLBB’s commercial ecosystem continues to scale.

The report places M7 among the most commercially successful esports events in mobile gaming, with sponsorship exposure and media value reaching levels usually associated with major PC esports tournaments.

M7 Strengthens MLBB’s Position in Global Esports

M7 continues a strong upward trend for MLBB esports, which has grown rapidly across Southeast Asia and other emerging regions.

The tournament itself featured 22 teams competing for a $1 million prize pool, hosted in Jakarta, Indonesia from January 3 to January 25. It also peaked at over 5.6 million concurrent viewers during the grand final, making it one of the most-watched esports events in recent history for mobile gaming.

Beyond viewership, the event also brought in major global brands, with companies such as Visa, Red Bull, Secretlab, Realme, and other international sponsors partnering across broadcasts, teams, and tournament activations.

Brand Partnerships Extend Beyond MLBB

The commercial growth seen in MLBB is not isolated. Across esports, sponsorships and brand partnerships continue expanding as publishers and tournament organizers look for more sustainable revenue streams.

Titles like Counter-Strike 2, VALORANT, League of Legends, and Dota 2 continue to attract global sponsors through Tier 1 events, regional leagues, and international championships. These partnerships are no longer limited to event sponsorships, with brands increasingly investing in long-term ecosystem deals.

Major esports organizations are also benefiting from this growth.

Teams such as Team Liquid, Fnatic, T1, G2 Esports, and Natus Vincere have secured partnerships with companies in technology, telecommunications, automotive, apparel, and energy drink industries. These deals often extend beyond jersey branding, covering content collaborations, event activations, and long-term marketing campaigns.

Esports Events Continue Attracting Global Sponsors

Tournament organizers such as ESL, Riot Games, and BLAST have also maintained strong relationships with global brands. Events regularly feature sponsors like Intel, Mastercard, Mercedes-Benz, Logitech, Secretlab, and Red Bull, reflecting how esports has become a stable marketing platform for global companies.

In many cases, these partnerships now span entire competitive seasons rather than single tournaments, showing a shift toward longer commercial commitments within esports ecosystems.

Mobile Esports Closing the Gap With PC Titles

The $186 million brand value generated by M7 also highlights how mobile esports continues narrowing the gap with traditional PC esports in commercial impact.

While titles like CS2 and League of Legends still dominate in global brand recognition, MLBB’s performance shows how mobile-first ecosystems can deliver comparable sponsorship value, particularly in regions where mobile gaming is the primary platform for esports audiences.

With increasing investment from global brands and continued growth in regional leagues, MLBB remains one of the strongest examples of how mobile esports has evolved into a major commercial force within the industry.

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