KUALA LUMPUR: Much is at stake for teams competing in the 13th season of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Malaysia (MPL MY), which will run from March 29 to May 12.

The MPL MY champions will earn direct qualification to the new Mid Season Cup (MSC), which offers a staggering US$3 million prize purse. The MSC will be held in conjunction with the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from June 28 to July 14.

MPL My runners-up also stand a chance of competing in MSC, but must earn qualification via the MSC Wild Card competition.

Ten teams will compete in MPL MY this year, which offers an RM468,000 prize purse, including newcomers Bountee Esports, who are based in Sarawak, as well as Monster Vicious.

All MPL MY matches will be played at Stadium MBSJ, Serdang Jaya, which has been dubbed the home of MPL Malaysia and can accommodate up to 1,000 spectators.

Moonton Games head of marketing and business development Fikri Rizal Mahruddin is looking forward to the new season of MPL MY.

Moonton are the developers of MLBB.

"MPL MY has come a long way to become the leading competitive esports ecosystem in Malaysia, but there is still much to do this year to achieve our vision of making esports for everyone," said Fikri in a statement released to the media today.

"Through close discussion and collaboration with experts and stakeholders, we continue to explore new and innovative opportunities for Malaysians to experience and benefit from esports."

MPL MY defending champions HomeBois are again expected to be among the frontrunners in the competition this season.

They have strengthened their squad in the off season by signing Muhammad Ardiansyah, better known by his nickname Udil, from Indonesian side Alter Ego Sports for a Malaysian record RM330,000.

The 2024 MPL MY teams are: HomeBois, Todak, RSG Malaysia, Niners (formerly MPX NSEA), Barracuda Esports, King Empire, Selangor Red Giants, Team HAQ, Bountee Esports, Monster Vicious.