Organize an online MLBB tournament in Malaysia with practical guidance on preparation, promotion, and tournament operations.

This guide is specially made for first-time organizers who want to organize an online MLBB tournament in Malaysia.

While this tournament guide is designed for Malaysia environment, it can easily be applied in other countries by adjusting the platform and communication tools.

Organize An Online MLBB Tournament In Malaysia

Organizing an online MLBB tournament in Malaysia is not easy. Keep in mind that the main communication language is Bahasa Melayu; a few players may speak English, and Chinese is rarely used.

However, it can be a rewarding experience for those who enjoy connecting with the community and growing their esports presence.

This guide is mainly aimed at individuals who are learning how to organize an esports tournament. It provides step-by-step instructions, tips, and best practices to help first-time organizers plan, promote, and run tournaments smoothly, while avoiding common pitfalls.

In this guide, there are two main roles:

You, the tournament organizer/admin
Team Captain, who represents each registered team

Step 1: Preparation

Proper preparation sets the foundation for a successful tournament. Skipping this step can lead to confusion, delays, or disputes during the event. Here are the key things to focus on:

1.1 Communication Channels

The first task is to decide on communication channels. Most organizers prefer WhatsApp groups because they are simple, widely used, and effective for direct communication. WhatsApp will be the main platform for common player inquiries

Example of common player inquiries could include:

Where to register or make payment
Prize pool for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place
Number of teams registered (this determines how many teams they will be facing and the likelihood of getting 1st place; whether substitute players are allowed or not)
Whether it is refundable if the team is unable to participate
Whether meta heroes can be used
Whether substitute players are allowed
etc.

A few questions may be duplicated even if the information is already written on the poster or post, as players usually want to double confirm that the information is correct.

Other communication channels could be Discord, Telegram, etc.

1.2 Tournament Structure

Basically, this is how you want to run the tournament:

Define the tournament structure: Determine whether it will be single elimination, double elimination, BO1, BO3, or other formats. Draft your rules early, including team size, substitute policies, and eligibility.
Refundable or not, etc. Are MPL and MAL players allowed?

After deciding on the above, lastly you can start to decide the tournament details:

Tournament name
Tournament format (example: BO1 & Double Elimination)
Registration fees
Date
Time (morning, afternoon, night) – usually a 7 or 8 PM start
Prize pool
Inquiry contact

You can also view an example of a real tournament poster and description here:
FAST TOURNAMENT ORGANIZED BY SOLVANE S16

1.3 Game Rules

Sample game rules that you can use, which Ganker Guild previously used when organizing tournaments:
Google Docs Ganker Guild Game Rules

It is not necessary to have detailed game rules, yet some organizers do post tournament rules in the WhatsApp group similar to the image above. It needs to explain:

Who has the 1st pick / ban
Which team will create the match lobby
Optional: The team that creates the lobby must take a screenshot once both teams are ready and post it in the WhatsApp group to inform the organizer that they are ready to proceed

In-game rules (important):

No spectators are allowed for any team unless approved by the organizer (for tournament fairness)
No all-chat (to prevent drama and in-game cyber abuse)
Emoji usage (up to the organizer)

After the match:

Only the winning team needs to take a screenshot of the result and submit it to the tournament WhatsApp group as proof of which team won and lost (see example in the game rules link provided).

Streaming – If you, as the organizer, have a shoutcaster, you must remember to:

Have a 3–5 minute delay on casting to prevent players from watching live and stream sniping.

1.4 Tournament Bracket

The bracket is used to clearly visualize which teams are up against each other. Most organizers use Challonge for tournament brackets as it is free and simple to use. You may check out the Challonge website here and try it out: Challonge Website

This is optional for your first tournament but highly recommended for those planning to run tournaments long term.

The list of social media platforms could include:

Facebook
Instagram
TikTok
WhatsApp Channel
WhatsApp Group

Having active social media helps Ganker Guild and other players identify your organization as legitimate. A strong online presence shows proof of past tournaments, including winners and results, which builds trust and keeps players excited for upcoming events.

Here is an example of a rising social media account doing this effectively.
MGX-Malaysia Gaming eXpo: Tiktok Profile

Step 2: Pre-Tournament Preparation

Once the above is all decided, you can start working on poster design and how you want to handle registration.

2.1 Poster

Once the tournament details are finalized, you can design a poster or promotional graphic that includes:

tournament dates,
timing,
prize pool,
Optional: Tournament structure (Bo1, Bo3, Single Elimination etc.). Tournaments fees etc.

Tools like Canva allow you to design professional-looking posters for free.

Here are a few examples of well-designed tournament posters:
1. CNY 2026 MLBB TOURNAMENT
2. FAST TOURNAMENT BY MADDOGZ
3. TMKE ASCENSION CHAMPIONSHIP 2026
4. Another FAST TOURNAMENT BY MADDOGZ

2.2 Registration Handling

The easiest method for first-time tournaments is using a Google Form, or you can allow players to register directly with you via WhatsApp.

Google Forms are much easier for you to manage, yet most players will still reach out to you after registration to make payment and confirm that they have registered their team.

Do remember to include your contact information in the poster, description, or Google Form to allow team captains or players to easily reach out to you after filling out the form or making an inquiry.

For a start, I highly recommend collecting only the minimum information, as shown below.

Team Info:

Team Name
Team Captain’s WhatsApp Contact
Team Captain’s In-Game ID
Team Captain’s In-Game Username

* The team name will be used for displaying in brackets and for other teams to know who they are up against.
* The team captain’s WhatsApp contact allows other team captains and the organizer admin to contact them.
* The team captain’s in-game ID and in-game username are used to double confirm that the correct team captain is invited and matched against the right team during custom mode draft pick.

Step 3: Promote Tournament

Now we move on to promote your tournament, where you will find your own channels for promotion. For first-time tournaments, here are a few options:

There are many ways to promote your tournament, as mentioned above in the social media setup.

Mainly for starters: Facebook & TikTok

Facebook is the easiest platform for sharing links and posting in different MLBB groups. However, we do not recommend spamming the same tournament in the same group every day.
TikTok has the potential to reach hundreds or even thousands of people if you create the right MP4 video.
Some organizers use Instagram, but since clickable links are not allowed, you may need to use a QR code in the poster or add the link in your bio.

3.2 Other MLBB WhatsApp Groups

There are many established WhatsApp groups for MLBB, and most group admins welcome tournament promotions, as it helps keep their communities active.

For safety reasons, the full list of MLBB WhatsApp groups is not shared publicly to prevent spam or scams.

While Ganker Guild may not be able to assist first-time organizers directly, you can contact the Ganker Guild admin via WhatsApp to request a list of groups where you can promote your tournament:

Ganker Guild Admin Contact WhatsApp 011-1606 1628.

Make sure to include your tournament poster and description when reaching out. This is to ensure your tournament is legit.

3.1.3 Optional: Promote with Ganker Guild

Please keep in mind that Ganker Guild may not be able to help promote a first-time tournament. The following requirements must be met for promotion:

The tournament must be posted on an official or active organizer’s social media account.
All submitted information will be reviewed before posting.
Promotion is subject to Ganker Guild’s Terms & Conditions.

If your tournament is organized or endorsed by the government or a third party, please prepare a signed offer letter of agreement with the Ganker Guild admin as proof.

You should still post the tournament on your organization’s social media and share the link here:
Google Form Free Esports Promotion

Step 4: Payment Management

Whenever a player registers, be careful with payment handling, as it can be a sensitive matter. Make sure to inform participants in advance whether the registration fee is refundable.

Payments can be accepted via bank transfer or Malaysia’s popular Touch ‘n Go (TNG) — it’s up to you as the organizer. Always request a receipt from the team captain and double-check that the payment has been completed properly.

Also, make sure the team captain provides their team name to confirm which team has successfully paid.

Step 5: Tournament Day

Before the tournament starts, I usually post the following again:

Game Rules – Remind everyone of all the game rules before the tournament begins.
Game Bracket – Ensure all registered teams are included in the bracket and that each team captain’s contact information is correct.
Team Contact List – Provide a list of team names with their team captain’s contact details so that captains can communicate with each other and start the tournament on time. Do not provide incorrect information.

When it’s time to start the tournament:

Start on Time – Always begin on schedule to respect participants who arrive early. A 5–10 minute grace period is acceptable, after which teams that do not respect the schedule may be automatically disqualified.
Organizer Oversight – The organizer/admin must ensure that all teams can start without issues. Common issues include:
- Bugs – e.g., unable to ban (rare but possible)
- Late teammates – Decide whether to disqualify or allow the team to continue
- Unable to add teammates – Reopen the room and invite missing players as quickly as possible
Result Posting – Remind all winners to screenshot and post the match results in the WhatsApp group as proof. Refer to the sample game rules for result posting guidelines. This helps avoid any disputes. Also, update the bracket on Challonge to ensure each team captain knows their next opponent.

*During the tournament, you may choose to shoutcast each match if you’re available, or hire a shoutcaster to do it for you.

Step 6: Prize Pool Payments

Make tournament prize pool payments as soon as possible after the event ends to avoid any controversy. Players have invested their time in your tournament as well, so it’s important to respect them.

Do not delay the distribution, especially for small tournaments, as this can damage trust between the players and the organizer.

For first-time tournaments, it is recommended to keep the number of teams small (8–16 teams) to gain hands-on experience before scaling up. The process for organizing 8–16 teams is similar to managing 64 teams, but as the number of teams increases, so does the complexity.

Additionally, attracting a large number of teams for your first tournament may be difficult since your organization is not yet well-known. For this reason, it’s highly recommended to run the first few tournaments as SCRIMS — either for free with no prize pool, or with a minimal registration fee of RM5 to RM20.

Registration fees from the first few tournaments can also be used to cover the prize pool, as sponsorships are unlikely at this stage.

Keep in mind that the first few tournaments may not be profitable. You might even need to invest some of your own money if the prize pool or promises exceed the funds collected.

The Effort Behind Every Tournament

Organizing a tournament takes significant time, energy, and attention to detail. From planning and promotion to managing matches and payments, every step requires dedication. First-time organizers may find the process challenging, but each event provides valuable experience that strengthens skills and confidence.

If you are planning to organize an online MLBB tournament in Malaysia, it’s important to remember that success comes from passion, commitment, and a love for gaming, not just financial gain. The effort you put into creating a smooth and enjoyable experience is what truly makes a difference in the community.

Your Role in Growing the Esports Community

Every tournament contributes to the growth of the Malaysian esports ecosystem. By organizing events, you create competitive opportunities for teams and players, helping to develop the local scene.

Even small tournaments make a difference. They foster community engagement, uncover new talent, and inspire more people to participate in esports. If you decide to organize an online MLBB tournament in Malaysia, your contribution helps build a stronger and more connected gaming community.

Shaping the Future of Esports

Esports in Malaysia and Southeast Asia continues to expand rapidly. Growing interest from players, schools, universities, and local communities shows that the competitive scene has immense potential.

Organizers are the backbone of this growth. By choosing to organize an online MLBB tournament in Malaysia, you help cultivate the next generation of players and tournaments. Passionate organizers today set the stage for a thriving and professional esports ecosystem tomorrow.

I hereby thank you and your team effort in organizing a tournament.

Thank you.

— End of Article —

I hope you have fun and successfully organize your tournament.

Feel free to WhatsApp me with any feedback or suggestions for improvement.
Good luck, and enjoy the experience!

✨ Thank you for reading 📖
🤟 Good Luck Have Fun 🔥

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Ultimate Starter Guide: Successfully Organize An Online MLBB Tournament In Malaysia 2026

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