Bigo Live and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang announced a strategic partnership to broadcast the MPL Season 9 partnership across the Middle East and North Africa region, running from April 10 through May 23, 2026. The collaboration brings professional esports content directly to Bigo Live’s gaming community, offering fans interactive viewing experiences and localized coverage.
The MENA gaming market is expanding rapidly. The region’s gaming sector is projected to grow from $4.56 billion in 2025 to $5.14 billion in 2026, with Saudi Arabia accounting for nearly $1 billion in annual gaming expenditure. Sensor Tower data ranked the Middle East as the fastest-growing market globally for mobile gaming in-app purchase revenue in 2024, recording 18% year-over-year growth. This momentum aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 digital economy initiatives.
MPL Season 9 Partnership Coverage Details
The MPL Season 9 partnership centers on comprehensive restreaming of matches on Bigo Live’s official Gaming Community account. During the regular season, two live simulcast sessions per week will keep fans connected to tournament progression. Bi-weekly watch parties will feature interactive viewer activities, including milestone-based winner announcements designed to build community engagement.
As the tournament advances, coverage expands significantly. The semi-finals will feature three days of continuous live-streaming on the Gaming Community account. Both semi-finals and grand finals will include live Arabic commentary sessions across multiple accounts: the main Gaming Community account (BIGO ID: 80017), BIGO ID: MENA.ESPORTS, and BIGO ID: mlbbesportsmena, providing fans with multiple viewing options.
Local Creator Involvement and In-App Features
Bigo Live enlisted two prominent Egyptian gaming creators to provide live Arabic commentary during semi-finals and grand finals. Restart (BIGO ID: 766558500) and Sokker (BIGO ID: 113293391) bring authentic energy to coverage, ensuring the experience resonates with local audiences. The platform is also introducing exclusive MPL-themed in-app effects, including custom entrance effects and pendants, allowing viewers to express their fandom during watch parties.
Track Record of Successful Esports Broadcasts
This partnership builds on previous successful collaborations between Bigo Live and Mobile Legends. The M6 World Championship set a new benchmark for the franchise, drawing a peak viewership of 4.13 million and averaging over 700,000 viewers across 120 hours of broadcast. MPL MENA Season 8 achieved 42,475 peak viewers and over 455,000 hours watched, establishing the league as one of the fastest-rising MPL circuits globally.
A Bigo Live spokesperson stated, “Our ongoing collaboration with Mobile Legends represents our deep commitment to the MENA gaming community. By pairing our interactive livestreaming infrastructure with culturally relevant content and local creator talent, we are not just livestreaming a tournament; we are empowering fans to be active participants in the region’s digital growth. This partnership is a testament to our shared vision of building a sustainable, engaging esports ecosystem.”
Future of MENA Esports Ecosystem
Through continued investment in hybrid esports experiences and creator enablement, Bigo Live and Mobile Legends are contributing to the evolution of the digital economy in the MENA region. The partnership demonstrates how esports platforms are leveraging livestreaming technology to build community-driven experiences. As the region’s gaming market expands, these collaborations position MENA as a significant player in the global esports landscape, ensuring the future of gaming is built on community engagement and shared passion.
