Highlights
- MOONTON Games and Realme launched MLBB Media Championship (MMC) and M7 Awards for Best Media debut at the M7, aiming to integrate esports journalists into the esports ecosystem.
- Up to eight teams will compete in the MLBB Media Championship for 270K Diamonds and five Realme smartphones.
- The M7 Media Awards would honor excellence in esports journalism, highlighting the growing role of media in esports storytelling.
MOONTON Games and smartphone brand Realme have announced two new media-focused initiatives tied to the ongoing M7 World Championship (M7), the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Media Championship (MMC), and the M7 Awards for Best Media. The programs were unveiled on Jan 5, 2026, aiming to “place media in the midst of MLBB's flagship tournament.”
The announcement marks the second edition of MMC and the debut of M7 Awards for Best Media, and is reported to be the biggest M series till now. The initiatives will run alongside the M7 World Championship, which is currently underway in Jakarta, Indonesia, and feature participation from accredited media representatives attending the event on site.
The organizer believes this initiative will expand how esports events engage with journalists, analysts, and content creators covering the tournament and offer “excellence in MLBB Esports storytelling.” Adrian Cher, Global Head of Partnerships for MLBB Esports at MOONTON Games, said the initiatives reflect how media coverage has become integral to the growth of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang as a global esport, extending the championship’s reach beyond match results and viewership numbers.
Realme, the official partner of M7 and the event’s designated gaming smartphone provider (Realme 15 Pro), is backing both programs. Daogen Qin, Head of Gaming Business Line at Realme, described the collaboration as a strategic extension of the brand's esports involvement. He notes, “With the Realme 15 Pro's immersive esports features, media will have the chance to explore the technical side of competitive play and experience how innovation shapes competitive play.”
MLBB Media Championship and M7 Awards Aims to Recognize Excellence in Esports Journalism
The MLBB Media Championship (MMC) is structured as a short-format competitive tournament exclusively for media teams covering M7. During the M7 Knockout Stage, a maximum of eight participating media teams will compete across Elimination Rounds and Grand Finals for the 270K Diamonds (in-game currency) prize pool. The winners will also receive five Realme smartphones.
Running in parallel, the M7 Awards for Best Media aims to formally recognize excellence in esports journalism tied to the championship. The M7 Award is facilitated by Realme and spans three categories: Best in Esports Business Journalism Award, Outstanding Feature Award, and Trendspotter Award.
Winners from each category are reported to receive 50,000 Diamonds each, a new Realme smartphone, and a certificate of recognition. The awards across multiple categories reflect MOONTON’s effort to highlight journalism beyond match reporting and social content. Adrien highlighted the importance of esports journalism, stating that the “gaming and esports industry doesn't grow in isolation. It grows through the stories that are told about it and the people who tell them.”
The M7 (Jan 3-25, 2026) remains one of the largest events in mobile esports, bringing together elite teams from multiple regions and drawing millions of online viewers. With the addition of the MLBB Media Championship and the M7 Awards for Best Media, MOONTON and Realme are expanding the scope of the event beyond competition.
