MPL MY Season 18: SRG sweep Team Rey to reach grand final and seal M8 spot; Rey face Vamos today

Selangor Red Giants (SRG) are one win from a sixth straight MPL Malaysia title. On Friday, 30 October, they swept Team Rey 3-0 in the Season 18 upper bracket final at Stadium Juara, Bukit Kiara. The result puts them in Sunday's grand final and also secures one of Malaysia's two direct places at the M8 World Championship. The second M8 ticket goes to the winner of today's lower bracket final between Team Rey and Team Vamos, which starts at 5.30pm MYT. Our earlier playoff coverage stopped after the opening round, so this piece covers the later rounds.

SRG roll past Team Rey

The upper bracket final was one-sided. Liquipedia's match record shows SRG winning games of about 14, 11 and 13 minutes, and Yums was named MVP. It followed a 3-0 win over Bigetron MY by VIT in the upper semi-final on 29 October, which Bernama also reported.

SRG went straight into the upper semi-finals as a top-two seed and have won both of their playoff series without dropping a game. Head coach Michael Angelo Bocado, known as Arcadia, told RTM that his team had prepared for both possible grand final opponents before the playoffs began. He said the plan is to limit what their opponents like to do while playing to SRG's own strengths. RTM notes that SRG have won every MPL Malaysia title since Season 13.

Vamos stay alive

Team Vamos have taken the long route. They beat Team Flash in the opening round on 28 October but then lost to Team Rey in the upper semi-final. On Friday afternoon they recovered to beat Bigetron 3-1 in the lower bracket semi-final, according to Liquipedia. That sets up a rematch with Team Rey, the side that sent them into the lower bracket.

Vamos also have the league's top individual honour so far. Liquipedia lists their player Error 404 as the Season 18 Regular Season MVP, and he is named in the season's Dream Team with Team Rey's Sepat and SRG's Stormie, Innocent and Yums. Team Rey were named Best Coaching Staff.

What is at stake

The format makes today's match especially important. Bernama reports that Season 18 has two M8 slots and that both grand finalists qualify automatically. The Team Rey vs Vamos winner therefore books a place at the world championship before the grand final is even played. The loser finishes third and misses out on the direct route.

Bernama adds that if SRG qualify, it will be their third consecutive appearance at the M-series World Championship. Moonton has confirmed that M8 will be held in Istanbul, Türkiye, with the knockout stage from 14 to 19 January 2027 at the ESA Espor Arena. The 16-team main stage uses a Swiss format, and the competition has a US$1 million prize pool.

Schedule (Malaysia time)

• Saturday, 31 October, 5.30pm MYT: Lower bracket final, Team Rey vs Team Vamos (best-of-five)
• Sunday, 1 November, 5.30pm MYT: Grand final, SRG vs the lower bracket final winner (the "CelcomDigi Dream Stage")

Moonton says grand final tickets sold out within an hour of going on sale. Fans without tickets can watch on MPL Malaysia's official YouTube and Facebook channels. Moonton also announced "Mamak Juara" watch parties at mamak restaurants in several states.

Key takeaways

• SRG beat Team Rey 3-0 in the upper bracket final on 30 October and are undefeated in the playoffs.
• By reaching the grand final, SRG have secured an M8 World Championship berth.
• Team Vamos beat Bigetron 3-1 and face Team Rey in today's lower bracket final at 5.30pm MYT.
• The lower final winner also qualifies for M8 and plays SRG in Sunday's grand final at 5.30pm MYT.
• SRG are going for a sixth consecutive MPL Malaysia title.

FAQ

Q: When is the MPL MY Season 18 grand final? A: Sunday, 1 November 2026, at 5.30pm MYT. SRG play the winner of the Team Rey vs Team Vamos lower bracket final.

Q: How many Malaysian teams qualify for M8? A: Two. Bernama reports that both MPL MY Season 18 grand finalists qualify directly. SRG have one spot, and the Team Rey vs Vamos winner gets the other.

Q: Where and when is M8? A: M8 is in Istanbul, Türkiye. Moonton has scheduled the knockout stage for 14 to 19 January 2027 at the ESA Espor Arena.

Sources: Bernama, RTM, Liquipedia, Moonton