World Esports Championship 2026 heads to Indonesia in December, where Malaysia defend their MLBB title

The International Esports Federation (IESF) has confirmed that its World Esports Championship (WEC) will be held in Indonesia from 15 to 20 December 2026. This is the event where Malaysia's national Mobile Legends: Bang Bang team won the men's world title last year, and the announcement starts the countdown to their defence.

Dot Esports and Indonesian site Ligagame reported the dates and game line-up this week. National federations have plenty to prepare before December.

The games

Dot Esports lists five titles:

• Counter-Strike 2
• Dota 2
• Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
• PUBG Mobile
• eFootball

Ligagame counts seven medal events, because CS2 and MLBB each have an Open and a Women's competition. That gives MLBB Open, MLBB Women, CS2 Open, CS2 Women, Dota 2, PUBG Mobile and eFootball.

Players compete for their countries, not their clubs. Ligagame calls it the 18th edition of the WEC.

How big it is

Dot Esports says more than 500 athletes from more than 110 IESF member federations are expected. Representatives of 152 member federations will also attend the IESF Ordinary General Meeting during championship week.

Ligagame adds a deadline that matters for every country. Federations must be in "Good Standing" by 30 September 2026 to receive travel and accommodation support.

The IESF has not yet announced the tournament formats, qualification details, prize money, match schedule, venues, broadcast plans or ticketing.

Indonesia has hosted the championship before, in 2016 and in Bali in 2022. IESF president Vlad Marinescu said: "Together we have made history, organizing the biggest esports event on a beach, in Bali 2022. Now we are sure that together we will provide the best experience and conditions for all athletes who have qualified for this event."

Malaysia defend the MLBB crown

WEC25 was held in Kuala Lumpur from 3 to 7 December 2025. According to the IESF, Malaysia's men's MLBB team beat Cambodia 3-0 in the grand final to win gold. Türkiye took bronze, which the IESF said was the first MLBB medal at the WEC for a European nation. Indonesia won the women's MLBB event unbeaten for a second straight title, ahead of Cambodia and Egypt.

Indonesian outlet Duniagames described Malaysia's win as a record first back-to-back men's title. That means the national team will go to Indonesia trying to win a third in a row.

It could be a hostile trip. Indonesia is one of the biggest MLBB markets in the world, and a home crowd will want a win in both the Open and Women's events. The women's competition also gives Malaysian players a world-level stage, and fans will want to know whether Malaysia sends a team.

Malaysia also has more games to aim at this time, including Dota 2, PUBG Mobile, CS2 and eFootball, all of which have active Malaysian communities.

Why December matters

December is already busy in esports. The MLBB M8 World Championship follows in Türkiye in January 2027. Many of the best MLBB players will be preparing for M8 while national selectors are trying to pick teams for the WEC. How Malaysia picks its squad for Indonesia will be one of the local stories to watch this quarter.

Key takeaways

• WEC 2026 will be held in Indonesia from 15–20 December, organised by the IESF.
• Confirmed games are CS2, Dota 2, MLBB, PUBG Mobile and eFootball, with Women's events in CS2 and MLBB.
• More than 500 athletes from 110-plus member federations are expected.
• Malaysia's men are the reigning MLBB champions after beating Cambodia 3-0 in Kuala Lumpur last December.

FAQ

Who won MLBB at WEC 2025? Malaysia won the men's event, beating Cambodia 3-0 in the final in Kuala Lumpur. Indonesia won the women's event.

Is the WEC for clubs or countries? Countries. Players represent their national federations, not their esports organisations.

Is prize money confirmed? Not yet. The IESF has not announced prize money, formats or qualification details.

Sources: Dot Esports, Ligagame, IESF, Duniagames, Esports Wales, MOONTON Games press release