NAVI has acquired Indonesian organisation Rebellion Esports to expand into the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) esports ecosystem.
The Ukrainian esports organisation will field rosters in Season 15 of MPL Indonesia, the country’s franchised MLBB competition, and Season 11 of MDL Indonesia, MLBB’s developmental league.
Rebellion Esports has competed in MLBB esports since 2021. The organisation placed 8th in MPL Indonesia Season 14.
This isn’t the first time that NAVI has entered Mobile Legends: Bang Bang esports. In 2021 and 2022 the organisation had a brief run in the CIS scene. Interestingly, the organisation ended up qualifying for the 2021 M3 Championship as a result.
The expansion into MLBB means NAVI currently competes in ten different esports titles. The organisation fields teams across a range of games including Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Call of Duty: Warzone.
“We have long planned to expand the list of NAVI’s mobile disciplines and establish a roster in one of the world’s most-viewed games with a huge fan base and well-thought-out esports ecosystem,” stated NAVI in the announcement.
“Having considered various options in different regions, we saw that our plans are most consistent with the vision of the Rebellion Esports management.”
NAVI is one of several esports organisations to expand into Mobile Legends: Bang Bang for 2025. Ahead of MPL Philippines’ 15th season, Twisted Minds and Team Falcons secured two franchise slots following the departures of Blacklist International and RSG.
Despite its short-lived ban in the United States, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang continues to grow at an impressive rate, both in Southeast Asia and globally.
January 2025 saw the mobile MOBA title expand into China, forming a new franchised league starting this year. Invictus Gaming has already announced plans to compete in the league by creating its own MLBB division.
In addition to the MPL leagues taking place across Asia, MLBB will return to the Middle East as part of the Esports World Cup taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The multi-title event will feature the game’s Mid-Season Cup and a Women’s Invitational.
NAVI’s MPL Indonesia roster consists of:
- Karsten ‘Karss’ Tjugito (EXP Lane)
- Muhammad ‘woshipaul’ Sastradinata (Jungler)
- Jason ‘Aether’ Zefanya (Jungler)
- Muhammad ‘xMagic’ Ramadhan (Middle)
- Zeonn (Gold Lane)
- Michael ‘Xyve’ Richi (Gold Lane)
- Rifaldo ‘HanafiTzy’ Hanaf (Roamer)
