Esports Around The World is a series of profiles outlining the esports ecosystem in various countries globally.
Introduction
Often forgotten in the conversation regarding esports’ global appeal, Malaysia is a cornerstone of the industry’s blossoming ecosystem in Southeast Asia alongside its neighbours Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.
To the Western world, the country is perhaps most known for hosting a range of notable Dota 2 events, including ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 and PGL’s 2018 Kuala Lumpur Major The MOBA title also holds some of the country’s most accomplished esports athletes with Riyadh Masters 2022 victor Cheng ‘NothingToSay’ Jin Xiang, The International 2018 runner-up Yap ‘xNova’ Jian Wei and 2019 Chongqing Major winner Yeik ‘MidOne’ Nai Zheng hailing from the country. Outside of Dota, Malaysia will also play host to the upcoming PUBG Global Championship 2024.
The country has also established a highly regarded mobile esports competitive ecosystem, particularly in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), with its regional league (MPL Malaysia) securing over 630,000 peak viewers earlier in 2024. The country also held the game’s first world championship, M1, and will hold MLBB’s next international event, M6. Despite its popularity in the region, a Malaysian esports organisation has only won one international MLBB event, the MLBB Mid Season Cup in 2024.
Outside of MLBB the country also has its own regional esports circuits in other titles. Some of these ecosystems are purely local, such as Free Fire World Series Malaysia, while others are combined with SEA neighbours, like the ‘VALORANT Challengers Malaysia and Singapore’.
From an infrastructure perspective, the country’s government was quick to understand the importance of esports. This is especially highlighted when looking at Malaysia’s Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS)’s ‘Strategic Plan for Esports Development 2020-2025’, a 144-page report highlighting the country’s intentions in the industry. In 2024, esports was allocated RM20m (£3.58m) by the government to help develop the industry.
The country also has an esports governing body, the Malaysian Esports Federation, which was founded in 2014 and is registered under the Malaysian Sports Commission.
Malaysia’s esports scene is also represented in major traditional sporting competitions within Asia, such as the Asian Games and the SEA Games, both of which have esports disciplines as official medal sports. In Arena of Valor, the Malaysian national esports team secured a silver medal at the 2022 Asian Games.
Government recognition
Despite having its own governing body since 2014, esports was only officially recognised as a sport in Malaysia in 2023 by amending the Sports Development Act 1997. That same year, the ministry launched National Esports Development Guidelines to provide players with protection and organisers with guidance.
Notable Tournaments & Leagues
Malaysia has hosted some of the biggest Mobile Legends: Bang Bang events in the world as well as a range of regional leagues across many games.
| 2018 Kuala Lumpur Major | M1 World Championship |
| 2022 Mobile Legends Bang Bang SEA Cup | M6 World Championship |
| ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 | MPL Malaysia |
| Free Fire World Series – Malaysia |
Notable Esports Organisations
Note that this is a non-exhaustive list and exclusion does not signify an org is not notable.
| Geek Fam | SEM9 |
| HomeBois | Team Haq |
| Selangor Red Giants | TODAK |
National Association(s) / Federation(s)
Note that inclusion in this list does not suggest any acknowledgement from ESI of its authority, works, or official capacity.
Education initiatives
Given how much support Malaysia’s government has given to esports, it’s not a surprise that the country has a growing esports education segment. In June 2023, it was revealed that KBS was in discussion with the country’s education ministry to introduce esports as part of co-curricular and club activities at the school level. At the time of this writing, a decision has yet to be made.
From a collegiate standpoint, esports has slowly been integrated into Malaysia through a mixture of partnerships, competitive leagues and educational initiatives. This includes Southeast Asian esports organisation RSG Esports teaming up with Mahsa Avenue International College. Moreover, the country has an esports university competition called the ACS EDU Tour which this year spotlighted PUBG Mobile.
This is a preliminary country profile and will be augmented with additional information over time. If you have any suggestions or feedback for this profile, please get in touch at [email protected]. First published: October 25th 2024.
