Aurora Seal A One-Sided Grand Finals

The M7 World Championship 2025 wrapped up in Jakarta with a statement performance from Aurora Gaming PH, who swept Alter Ego 4–0 in the Grand Finals to claim the biggest title in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.

The 2026 M7 Grand Finals have concluded, and the Champion has been decided! Congratulations to Team Aurora Gaming PH on their victory. Let’s congratulate the Champion together!#MLBBM7#RiseAsOne#LetTheWorldSeeUs#MobileLegendsBangBang pic.twitter.com/UUEO4mfOV0

— Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (@MobileLegendsOL) January 25, 2026

What was expected to be a tight Best of Seven turned into a showcase of control, preparation, and composure. From draft to execution, Aurora were a step ahead in every department, never allowing Alter Ego to build momentum across the series.

Game 1 Sets The Tone Early

Aurora wasted no time asserting themselves in the opener. Their draft focused on early pressure, strong engage tools, and disciplined objective control, immediately pushing Alter Ego onto the back foot.

Smart rotations and clean lane management helped Aurora secure early Turtles while denying key farm. A crucial mid-game fight near the river broke the map wide open, allowing Aurora to snowball their gold lead and close out the game methodically.

Game 2 Turns Into A Draft Clinic

Alter Ego attempted to reset in Game 2, but Aurora dictated the pace once again, this time from the pick and ban phase.

Comfort heroes were denied, priority picks secured, and Aurora built a composition that excelled in both skirmishes and full teamfights. Every aggressive move from Alter Ego was calmly countered, with Aurora consistently arriving first to neutral objectives and forcing unfavourable engagements. The result was another controlled win and a 2–0 series lead.

Game 3 Showcases Macro Superiority

Game 3 briefly hinted at a comeback as Alter Ego traded early kills with a more proactive draft. That hope did not last long.

Aurora tightened their grip on the map, rotating efficiently and starving Alter Ego of resources. Vision control and patience defined the mid game, and once the Lord was secured, Aurora’s teamfights were clinical. Priority targets were eliminated, disengages were perfectly timed, and the re-engages sealed a commanding 3–0 advantage.

Game 4 Delivers The Final Blow

With elimination looming, Alter Ego needed something special in Game 4. Instead, Aurora delivered the finishing touch.

Once again, the draft favoured Aurora, denying Alter Ego’s strongest options and building a composition designed to control space across all three lanes. The decisive moment came during a Lord fight where Aurora’s coordinated burst wiped Alter Ego off the map. With inhibitors exposed and no resistance left, Aurora marched into the base to complete the historic sweep.

Draft Superiority Defined The Series

One of the clearest storylines from the Grand Finals was Aurora’s dominance in the draft. Across all four games, their compositions perfectly matched player strengths while directly countering Alter Ego’s win conditions.

High impact heroes were secured, problem picks were banned out, and flexible drafts ensured Aurora were comfortable in both early and late game scenarios. Alter Ego struggled to find footing before matches even began, and it showed on the Rift.

Light Earns Finals MVP Honours

While every Aurora player delivered, roamer Dylan “Light” Catipon stood out and was deservedly named Finals MVP.

The Light who helped us shine the brightest. 🫡

OUR M7 FINALS MVP! 🏆🇵🇭🩵 pic.twitter.com/C77gDuzQGh

— Aurora Gaming MLBB (@auroraggmlbb) January 25, 2026

Light’s impact was felt everywhere, from perfectly timed initiations to relentless vision denial. He constantly disrupted Alter Ego’s setups, baited out key battle spells, and forced fights on Aurora’s terms. Whether starting engagements or peeling for his teammates, Light was the engine behind Aurora’s relentless pressure.

A Landmark Win For Philippine MLBB

The championship run capped a dominant tournament for Aurora, who battled through the upper bracket by defeating Team Liquid PH, Alter Ego, and Selangor Red Giants.

This victory marks the organisation’s best-ever finish at the M7 World Championship, and a second M series title for Edward Dapadap, who previously lifted the trophy with Blacklist International.

Aurora take home USD $320,000 from the USD $1 million prize pool, while hosts Alter Ego settle for second place. The result further cements Philippine dominance on the global MLBB stage.

Looking Ahead To M8

With the M7 chapter closed, attention now turns to the M8 World Championship, which Moonton Games has confirmed will be held in Türkiye next year.

After a flawless Grand Finals performance, Aurora Gaming have set a new standard, and the rest of the world will be chasing them heading into M8.

The post Aurora Gaming Lead Philippine Dominance With 4–0 Sweep Over Alter Ego In M7 Grand Finals appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

ONIC Esports have once again proven their dominance in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Indonesia, claiming the Season 16 championship title after defeating Alter Ego Esports 4-1 in the Grand Finals held in Jakarta.

The Yellow Hedgehogs Defend Their Throne

The powerhouse squad of ONIC, featuring Kiboy, Skylar, Kairi, Lutpiii, Sanz and Savero, successfully defended their MPL Indonesia crown, cementing their legacy as one of the strongest teams in Mobile Legends history.

Their victory earned them a prize of approximately Rp1.406 billion (around $84,500) and a direct qualification spot for the upcoming M7 World Championship, set to take place in Jakarta, Indonesia, in January 2026.

The series began with Alter Ego taking an impressive Game 1 win, led by veteran player Nino and his hero Yu Zhong, securing a 21–12 elimination scoreline. However, ONIC quickly adapted, with Kairi’s Hayabusa stealing the spotlight in Game 2 to tie the series. From there, ONIC took control, storming through the next three games with aggressive rotations and crisp team coordination.

Their decisive Game 5 win came after securing the third Lord, breaking Alter Ego’s defences, and closing out the match 4-1.

This championship marks ONIC’s eighth MPL Indonesia title, further extending their reign as the region’s most decorated team.

Alter Ego’s Resurgence

Despite the loss, Alter Ego Esports earned widespread praise for reaching the Grand Finals for the first time in ten seasons. Their lower bracket run, where they defeated EVOS 4-1, showcased their growth and potential heading into next year.

As the top two finishers, both ONIC and Alter Ego will represent Indonesia at the M7 World Championship, where they will face off against the best teams from around the world, including regions like the Philippines, Malaysia, and Latin America.

Record-Breaking Viewership

MPL Indonesia Season 16 was also a massive success in terms of viewership. According to Esports Charts, the event peaked at over 3.09 million viewers during the Grand Finals, with an average of nearly 460,000 concurrent viewers and more than 101 million hours watched across its 220-hour broadcast.

👑 Congrats ONIC Esports, the kings of MPL Indonesia!

🔥 3 MILLION+ tuned in for the #MPLID S16 Grand Fina!

Congratulations to @onic_esports , Alter Ego & RRQ Hoshi, all of whom delivered peak hype!

More details here 👉https://t.co/KulXmEKJVd pic.twitter.com/7akQKso4ez

— Esports Charts 🇺🇦 (@EsportsCharts) November 2, 2025

While it fell slightly short of Season 14 and 15’s record-breaking peaks (4M and 4.1M respectively), Season 16 still stands as one of the most-watched esports events in Southeast Asia this year.

Road to the M7 World Championship

The Mobile Legends: Bang Bang M7 World Championship will feature the top 16 teams from around the globe battling for a $1 million (approx. £760,000) prize pool. The event will run from 3rd to 25th January 2026, kicking off with the Wildcard Group Stage before moving into the Swiss Stage and ending with a Double-Elimination Knockout Stage and a best-of-seven Grand Final.

Tickets for the Jakarta event sold out within hours of opening, reflecting the massive hype surrounding the competition.

Tiger Xu, Global Head of MLBB Esports at MOONTON Games, described the event as a celebration of global gaming culture:

“The M7 is more than a tournament. It’s a moment of connection, where competition meets culture, and where passion meets purpose. We want to show that mobile games will be one of the most important esports ecosystems all around the world.”

Martinus H. Manurung, Head of Esports Ecosystem at MOONTON Games Indonesia, also praised ONIC’s achievement, saying:

“This victory is not only a testament to ONIC’s excellence, but a reflection of the growth and passion of the Indonesian esports community. Indonesia has proven time and again that we are a global esports powerhouse, and M7 is our moment to show the world once more.”

ONIC’s Legacy Marches On

From their consistent performance throughout the regular season to their dominance in the playoffs, ONIC’s championship run reaffirms their status as a global powerhouse in Mobile Legends.

As the Yellow Hedgehogs gear up for the M7 World Championship, fans are already anticipating another thrilling international showdown, one that could see ONIC lift yet another trophy on home soil.

The post ONIC Crowned MPL Indonesia Season 16 Champions After Beating Alter Ego 4-1 appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

YouTube Channel Temporarily Taken Down

The official Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Esports YouTube channel has been temporarily suspended by YouTube, developer MOONTON confirmed in an official statement on X (formerly Twitter).

Official Statement pic.twitter.com/IwErhZ7myA

— MLBB Esports Official (@mlbbesports_en) October 16, 2025

According to the post, the suspension came as a result of “third-party unauthorised livestream events” that were outside of MOONTON’s control. The company has since reached out to YouTube to resolve the issue and restore the channel as soon as possible.

“We are currently communicating with YouTube to rectify the situation,” the statement reads. “In the meantime, please head over to MLBB Esports on Facebook and TikTok, and MLBB Regional Socials to view the live broadcasts of our esports events and latest M7 updates.”

Possible Hack Linked to Crypto Scam

While MOONTON did not share full details about what triggered the suspension, early signs point to a possible hack. A user on Instagram claimed the MLBB Esports YouTube channel was compromised and used to promote a cryptocurrency giveaway, a tactic that has become increasingly common among large gaming channels.

This situation also comes just days after several other major esports organisations had their official YouTube channels hijacked to promote a fake Solana memecoin giveaway. As covered Major Esports YouTube Channels Hacked to Promote Fake Solana “Memecoin” Giveaway, platforms belonging to ESL, BLAST Premier, BLAST Rainbow Six, and even the Esports World Cup were taken over and streamed a scam giveaway.

Those hacked channels briefly aired old interview footage, including one featuring Gabe Newell discussing the Steam Deck, with a QR code linking to the fraudulent crypto stream. The affected accounts, including MLBB Esports, have since been restored and are now back online.

Community Reactions and Ongoing Events

The news has caused quite a stir among the Mobile Legends community. Fans and players took to X to express concern and frustration, with replies ranging from shocked “Noooo” comments to simple “gg” reactions.

Despite the disruption, MLBB’s competitive circuit remains active. The Mobile Legends Professional Leagues (MPL) across Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, and MENA continue to host key matches that will determine who qualifies for the upcoming M7 World Championship.

Originally planned for December 2025, the M7 World Championship has been rescheduled to January 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The change was made to avoid overlap with the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, where MLBB will appear as an official medal event.

A Quick Recovery Expected

Given how other esports organisations have recovered swiftly from similar crypto-related breaches, it’s likely that the MLBB Esports YouTube channel will be restored soon.

Until then, MOONTON has encouraged fans to keep up with tournament coverage and M7 updates through MLBB’s official Facebook, TikTok, and regional league accounts.

The developer closed its statement by thanking the community for its continued patience and support as it works to resolve the situation.

The post MLBB Esports YouTube Channel Suspended Following Reported Hack appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang’s M7 World Championship is shaping up to be one of the biggest esports events of early 2026. MOONTON has officially revealed how the 22 slots will be distributed across regions, and fans are already buzzing about who will make it to Jakarta, Indonesia, when the tournament kicks off in January.

The Regional Slot Allocation for the M7 World Championship

14 Main Stage Teams with 2 Wild Card Advance Teams will battle for the World Champion title

Get ready for an EPIC tournament in Jakarta, Indonesia 👏#MLBBEsports #M7 pic.twitter.com/NT8cvpY3UN

— MLBB Esports Official (@mlbbesports_en) August 30, 2025

Indonesia Returns as Host

Indonesia will once again take the spotlight as the host nation, marking the second time the country has welcomed the M World Championship. Jakarta is set to be the stage where the best Mobile Legends teams from across the globe battle it out for the ultimate crown and a share of the $1 million prize pool.

The event was originally planned for December 2025, but due to the SEA Games taking place in Thailand during that month, M7 has been pushed to January. The SEA Games will also feature esports titles such as Arena of Valor, Free Fire, MLBB, and EA Sports FC Online, with both male and female tournaments in MLBB.

Wildcard Stage Expands

The Wildcard stage continues to be one of the most exciting parts of the M World Championship. This time, eight regions will compete for two available spots in the main event, doubling the opportunity compared to M6 where only one Wildcard team advanced.

The regions in the Wildcard include:

• Vietnam
• China
• Eastern Europe & Central Asia (EECA)
• Middle East & North Africa (MENA)
• Turkey
• Mongolia
• Japan
• Mekong

One of the biggest highlights is Japan making its return to the M World Championship for the first time since M2, following its appearance at the MLBB Mid-Season Cup in Riyadh earlier this year.

Main Event Slot Distribution

A total of 16 teams will compete in the main event. Here’s how the slots are divided:

• 2 slots each: Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia
• 1 slot each: Myanmar, China, EECA, MENA, Turkey, Latin America (LATAM), Singapore, Cambodia
• 2 slots: Wildcard winners

Image Credit: MOONTON

This makes up the 16 main event contenders who will clash in Jakarta for the title of world champion.

The Big Omission: North America

One of the most surprising updates is that North America has been left out entirely. The region does not have a slot in either the main event or the Wildcard stage.

This decision follows the decline of the North America Challenger Tournament (NACT), which has been scaled down in recent editions. The controversy surrounding BTK at MSC 2025 also played a role, where the team was disqualified after some players competed in rival MOBA title Honor of Kings. Afterward, BTK announced its move to Honor of Kings, with star player Michael “MobaZane” Cosgun even appearing at the Honor of Kings World Cup 2025.

With North America out of the picture, the competitive balance of the M7 World Championship could see big shifts, opening the door for new regions to rise.

Why M7 Matters More Than Ever

Mobile Legends has continued to grow its global footprint, with expansions into regions like Azerbaijan and record-breaking brand value numbers from past events. The M7 World Championship stands as the pinnacle of MLBB esports, and this year feels even more significant with new faces in the Wildcard and powerhouse regions like Indonesia and the Philippines doubling their chances.

Fans are eager to see if the SEA dominance continues or if we’ll witness an underdog story from emerging regions. With the tournament set for January 2026, the countdown has officially begun.

The post Mobile Legends M7 World Championship Slot Allocation Revealed appeared first on Shane the Gamer.