Deutsche Mobile Gaming e.V. (establishing) is launching an esports qualifier in collaboration with E-Sport-Bund Deutschland e.V. (ESBD). The aim is to build a national squad for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), but also to promote mobile esports in Germany.
With over a billion downloads, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) is one of the world's most popular esports titles. The Philippines, Indonesia and Turkey, for example, have well-established leagues, tournaments and national teams. Germany, on the other hand, does not yet have a comparable infrastructure for mobile esports. However, that is about to change. Today, Deutsche Mobile Gaming e.V. (the German Mobile Gaming Association, currently in formation) announced the first MLBB squad qualifier in Germany. The E-Sport-Bund Deutschland e.V. (ESBD; German E-Sports Federation) welcomes this initiative and is supporting the programme.
"We welcome the initiators' commitment to the qualifier programme for the mobile gaming sector. Through this collaboration, we can combine our expertise in building squad structures with the community's understanding and wishes. We are looking forward to some exciting tournaments," says Markus Möckel, branch manager of the ESBD.
The still-forming Deutsche Mobile Gaming e.V. sees itself as the central point of contact for mobile gaming and mobile esports in Germany. In close cooperation with the ESBD, structures are being developed that offer talented individuals professional prospects, from grassroots sport to the international elite.
From January 2026 until spring, players will undergo a multi-stage qualification and selection procedure. At the end of this process, the first members of the ESBD squad will be chosen to represent Germany in national and international Mobile Legends competitions. Players such as "Kid Bomba" and "Boro", who have already found success on the international stage, demonstrate that Germany possesses exceptional MLBB talent. They will also contribute their experience directly to the qualification process. As members of the expert jury, they will play an active role in evaluating the candidates, bringing their strategic understanding and experience of international competition to the table.
"We can see what is possible in other countries," says Daniel 'Dragul' Breuninger, a founding and board member of Deutsche Mobile Gaming e.V. (i.G.). "The Philippines has won several world championships, Indonesia has millions of active players, and even Turkey is years ahead of us. Germany has the potential to catch up, but only if we lay the groundwork now. With players like Kid Bomba and Boro, we have already shown that we can compete. Now, we need the structures in place to systematically promote this talent and develop the next generation of players to their level."
The project is designed as a starting point for sustainable development. Following the squad announcement, the next steps are regular squad updates, continuous talent development, and establishing a professional mobile esports structure in Germany.
"Anyone who plays at the level of Kid Bomba and Boro knows exactly what matters," explains Kyle B. "Cobra" Kuscu, acting chairman of Deutsche Mobile Gaming e.V. (i.G.). "Their expertise is invaluable – they know the requirements of international tournaments first-hand and are better than anyone else at assessing which talents have the potential to represent Germany on the world stage."
