Unlike the previous editions, this year’s league does not feature a separate qualification stage for professional teams, thereby allowing all registered teams an equal opportunity to compete.
“The National Esports League symbolizes our commitment to building a structured, inclusive, and sustainable competitive ecosystem in Indonesia,” PB ESI Deputy Chair of Competition Gloria Famiella stated during a press conference at the PB ESI headquarters in Jakarta on Tuesday.
“The competition begins with League 3, then advances to League 2, which gathers thousands of teams and tens of thousands of athletes from across the archipelago. The top tier, League 1, will feature 12 teams, including two promoted from League 2,” the deputy chair elaborated.
The 2025 edition will focus exclusively on one game—Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB)—considered the most popular and widely followed game in the country. However, organizers remain open to including other game developers in the future to maintain inclusivity.
Registration for League 3 opens on Wednesday and is available through two channels: team-based and solo, both open to the general public.
The top two teams from each registration track will advance to League 2, scheduled from September 25 to October 18, with a total of 18 teams competing.
The two best teams from League 2 will then move up to League 1, held from October 31 to November 15, with 12 teams competing. The top six will qualify for playoffs from November 27 to 29, 2025.
“Our focus is on League 3, then progressing to League 2, and from there, the best teams advance to League 1, and finally to the playoff stage. League 3 is really about grassroots development, which is a major focus for us,” Garudaku Head of Marketing, Azwin Nugraha, stated.
“The career span of an esports athlete is relatively short. Many retire by the age of 24 or 25. That is why regeneration is such a critical concern for us,” Nugraha remarked.
The National Esports League also serves as a platform to nurture Indonesian esports talent and support the National Esports Team selection process. Additionally, it provides professional teams a scouting ground to identify potential players for their clubs.
“Our hope is that participants in the National Esports League will have the opportunity to join the national training camp or be recruited by established pro teams,” Azwin remarked.
“Last year, we had a total of 26 thousand athletes across teams. This year, we aim to increase that figure by 10 to 15 percent, which would mean a significant contribution to the development of esports talent in Indonesia,” the Garudaku head of marketing stated.
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Translator: Arindra, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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