Chinese game developer MOONTON Games has partnered with Romania-based tournament organiser PGL to expand the European Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) esports scene. The collaboration will see the launch of the PGL MLBB Challengers tournament, marking PGL’s inaugural foray into MLBB competition within the region.
The partnership is designed to leverage PGL’s regional expertise to build a stronger foundation for the mobile MOBA title in Europe, focusing on grassroots development and creating pathways for emerging talent.
The game’s established global scale, with 1.5 billion lifetime installations and 110 million monthly active users according to the publisher, provides a substantial foundation for this European initiative. Its competitive scene is a significant contributor to this footprint; Esports Charts reported MLBB esports content achieved 475 million hours watched in 2024. Entering the European market with a seasoned partner like PGL aligns with MOONTON’s wider approach to growth, utilising regional specialists to cultivate a local competitive ecosystem.
Ajay Jilka, Head of Esports – Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Western Europe, and Türkiye at MOONTON Games, stated: “Partnering with PGL, one of Europe’s leading esports organisations, is a significant step for us. Their deep understanding of the region and experience in hosting large-scale, global tournaments make them the perfect partner. This tournament is an important step in developing the grassroots scene and nurturing the next generation of competitive talent.”
Sebastian Hudisteanu, Broadcast Producer at PGL, commented: “Hosting our first MLBB tournament in Europe is a significant milestone for PGL Esports. Mobile esports is growing rapidly across the region, and MLBB is at the forefront of this movement. This partnership with MOONTON Games will allow us to expand our esports portfolio and also gives us the opportunity to help shape the growth of mobile esports in Europe.”
The first PGL MLBB Challengers tournament begins imminently. The Open Qualifier, using a single-elimination, Best-of-One format, starts on 13 January. The top eight teams will progress to the Main Event from 16 to 18 January, which will culminate in a Best-of-Seven Grand Finals to crown the champion.
This move into Europe aligns with MOONTON’s stated long-term strategy to globalise MLBB esports. In an interview with The Esports Radar in July 2025, Ray Ng, Head of Esports Ecosystem at MOONTON Games, confirmed the company’s genuine ambition to expand westward, noting growth in regions like Eastern Europe. He emphasised a focus on education and building long-term infrastructure over rapid user acquisition, stating the company is “building long-term foundations” by supporting grassroots and professional development.
Follow The Esports Radar on social media:
