As the Global Payment Partner, Visa will elevate how millions enjoy the M8 to M10 World Championships

SINGAPORE, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Visa, a global leader in digital payments, and MOONTON Games, the international video game developer behind Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), today announced a three-year partnership to elevate the M Series experience for fans worldwide. The partnership sees Visa named the Global Payment Partner for the next three editions of the M Series—the M8 World Championship (M8) in 2027 through the M10 World Championship (M10) in 2029. The M Series is MLBB’s flagship international competition and is the most-watched mobile esports tournament in history with 5.68 million Peak Concurrent Viewers (PCV), according to Esports Charts.

From the M8 through the M10, Visa cardholders will receive preferential access to M Series tickets, as well as opportunities to win VIP Zone access, meet-and-greets, and behind-the-scenes tours–bringing fans closer to their favourite players and teams.

The partnership comes as the M Series expands its international footprint. The M8 will mark the tournament’s European debut, building on MLBB Esports’ global expansion strategy unveiled earlier this year. With Visa facilitating payments across more than 200 countries and territories, its reach and payment capabilities will support MLBB’s continued international growth while creating more seamless and rewarding fan experiences.

Danielle Jin, Chief Marketing Officer at Visa Asia Pacific, said: “We’re proud to deepen our partnership with MOONTON Games and MLBB, one of the most remarkable gaming franchises in the world. MLBB is a powerful example of how mobile gaming is changing the way people play, connect with each other, and spend. Every year, millions of fans and gamers engage with the M Series. Together with MOONTON Games, we look forward to creating more iconic moments that fans and gamers will remember in the years to come.”

The multi-year agreement builds on Visa’s first entry into MLBB Esports at the M7 World Championship (M7) in Jakarta, Indonesia, anchored in a shared vision of empowering youth through digital innovation. Visa has also expanded its presence within the wider MLBB Esports ecosystem, joining MLBB Professional League (MPL) Philippines as an Official Sponsor for Season 18.

Tiger Xu, Global Head of MLBB Esports at MOONTON Games, said: “Our partnership with Visa at the M7 demonstrated how we can create greater value together across the fan journey. This multi-year agreement is a natural next step as MLBB Esports enters its next phase of globalisation. It also reflects the growing international scale and relevance of the M Series. Together, we are excited to deliver a more seamless, rewarding, and connected experience for fans around the world.”

Visa champions the moments that bring fans closer to the passions they love, from sports and music to gaming, fashion, and entertainment. Guided by a fan-first approach to partnerships, Visa designs experiences that deepen connection and make participation seamless, secure and accessible for audiences around the world. Through high-impact partnerships, Visa helps shape cultural moments while enabling effortless cross-border commerce. Visa’s partnership with MOONTON Games strengthens its growing range of gaming partnerships and its commitment to helping people connect with the communities and experiences they care about most.

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, sellers, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.

About MOONTON Games

Established in 2014, MOONTON is a global video game company dedicated to gaming development, publication, and esports. With more than 2,000 employees worldwide, the company operates offices in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. It has successfully launched several high-profile mobile games globally and has built long-term relationships with governments and esports organizations in more than 30 countries around the world. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is its current star game and the leading mobile multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game worldwide. For more information, visit https://en.moonton.com.

About Mobile Legends: Bang Bang

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is one of the most popular mobile Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games worldwide that brings communities together through teamwork and strategy. With over 1.5 billion installations and 110 million active monthly users, the award-winning game is among the top 10 most played in over 80 countries. With an extensive reach across the Asia Pacific region, the multiplayer is available in 139 countries with an expansive global esports presence.

About Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Esports

Established in 2017, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Esports serves as a platform for players to pursue their dreams of becoming esports athletes and illuminate opportunities within the international esports ecosystem. MLBB Esports has since expanded to multiple leagues, including the MPL series hosted in Southeast Asia, Middle East, and Latin America; MPL is the first esports event series to surpass 1 billion hours of watch time globally.

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SOURCE Visa Worldwide Pte Ltd

SINGAPORE, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda’s latest accommodation search data reveals growing interest in India’s spiritual destinations ahead of September, with several temple towns noting an increase in searches, alongside continued popularity of Southeast Asian cities.

Interest in India’s Temple Towns Climbs 

Among domestic destinations, Pachmarhi, known as the “Queen of Satpura”, recorded an almost 7x increase in accommodation searches for September compared with the same period last year. Set in the Satpura ranges of Madhya Pradesh, the hill destination is home to the Jatashankar Temple, a cave shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, and is also known for its forests, waterfalls and scenic views. Ujjain, another city in the state, recorded an almost 3x increase in accommodation searches. Known for the Mahakaleshwar Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the city offers travelers a mix of pilgrimage, historic ghats, and cultural experiences.

In Puri, accommodation searches increased by 2x, with the Jagannath Temple being a key part of the city’s identity, while its coastline and beaches offer travelers another experience during their stay. Varanasi recorded a 44% increase in searches, with its temples, ghats and cultural heritage offering another way to experience India’s spiritual traditions. Further down south, Tirupati recorded a 29% increase in accommodation searches. Known for the Sri Venkateswara Temple, the destination remains an important pilgrimage centre and spiritual travel destination of interest.

Southeast Asia Brings Spiritual and Cultural Experiences into September Travel

Beyond India, September travel searches also point to Southeast Asia, where travelers can find spiritual and cultural experiences alongside beaches, food and city breaks. Hanoi recorded a 58% increase in accommodation searches, with its historic streets, cultural heritage and local food offering travelers a city experience shaped by Vietnam’s traditions.

Da Nang saw a 50% increase in search interest, combining its beaches and proximity to Hoi An with cultural attractions such as Linh Ung Pagoda on the Son Tra Peninsula, a Buddhist site known for its 67-metre statue of Guanyin. Kuala Lumpur recorded a 35% increase, offering multicultural heritage, food and landmarks including Batu Caves, Thean Hou Temple and Sri Maha Mariamman Temple.

In Indonesia, Bali recorded a 24% increase in accommodation searches, offering a mix of beaches, natural landscapes and spiritual experiences, with renowned temples such as Tanah Lot, Besakih Temple and Lempuyang Temple adding to its cultural appeal.

Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands, Agoda said “Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report found that 19% of Indian respondents consider spiritual or religious experiences when planning a trip this year, pointing to the diverse motivations shaping travel decisions. Our latest accommodation search data reflects this shift, with destinations being explored for pilgrimages, cultural experiences, nature getaways, and overseas holidays. At Agoda, we make it easier for travelers to find stays that best fit the diverse experiences they desire.”

With a global network of over 6 million hotels and holiday properties, along with flights, activities, and more, Agoda offers travelers a wide range of options to explore destinations across India and around the world. Whether discovering domestic hill escapes or international cities and island destinations, Agoda’s broad selection makes it easier to plan any trip.

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SOURCE Agoda

BCG Finds That Global M&A Value Rose 15% in the First Eight Months of 2026, with Gains Concentrated at the Top of the MarketThe Number of Megadeals (Transactions of $10 Billion+) Climbed to 37 During the January to August Period, Up from 24 a Year Earlier and Above 2021’s Record of 32But Deal Activity Below $1 Billion Remains Below Longer-Term Norms, and BCG’s M&A Sentiment Index, Despite Rising to 83 from 79, Stands Well Below Its Long-Term Average of 100As Capital and Strategic Appetite Remain Available, Asset Readiness, Valuation Gaps, and Execution Hurdles Increasingly Determine Which Transactions Move Forward

BOSTON, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Global M&A activity strengthened further in the first eight months of 2026, with aggregate deal value rising 15% year over year and exceeding the ten-year average by 11%. Megadeals worldwide climbed to 37, up from 24 during the same period last year, surpassing the record of 32 reached in 2021. But deal volume across much of the rest of the market has yet to recover, leaving the rebound narrower than the aggregate numbers suggest.

These are among the findings of a new report from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), M&A Report 2026, released today. The analysis draws on data from LSEG and from BCG’s proprietary M&A Sentiment Index and M&A Explorer platform, which measure the near-term deal outlook and market performance of M&A deals.

“Capital and strategic appetite are available,” said Jens Kengelbach, global leader of Mergers & Acquisitions at BCG and a coauthor of the report. “The bottleneck has shifted to execution: finding transaction-ready assets, bridging valuation gaps, and clearing the operational and regulatory hurdles required to close. Until more deals pass those tests, the recovery will remain concentrated at the top of the market.”

A Market Recovering Only at the Top

Divergence is clearest by deal size. Transactions valued at $1 billion or more are running above longer-term norms, while the volume of lower-tier deals—especially for small-cap and midcap transactions—remains below normal levels even before adjusting for inflation, which would make the shortfall more pronounced.

BCG identifies five tests for assessing deal executability: asset readiness, market-clearing economics, resilient financing, organizational capacity, and regulatory clearance. Asset availability and economics are currently the most binding constraints on a broader recovery; financing and organizational capacity are less restricted at the market level, although they still shape individual deals.

Sentiment Is Improving, but Unevenly

BCG’s M&A Sentiment Index—a proprietary approach to measuring current near-term deal outlook that combines fundamental market drivers with AI-based analysis of corporate communications—rose to 83 in the first eight months of 2026, up from 79 at the start of the year but below its long-term average of 100. The improvement is uneven across sectors: sentiment was strongest in financial institutions and real estate (108), health care (100), and energy (96), while industrials (66), consumer (64), and technology (52) lagged. Notably, the weaker deal sentiment reading in the technology and consumer sectors sits alongside continued deal-value growth in both. Technology, media, and telecommunications remained the largest sector by aggregate deal value, up 11% year over year, while consumer deal value rose 20%.

AI Is Fueling Deals and Complicating Them

AI is playing a dual role in the current cycle. It is encouraging new investment and deal activity in parts of the market but also adding uncertainty around the durability of business models, revenue pools, and competitive positioning in others, making some assets harder to value and transact. A sharp correction in software company valuations earlier this year, together with a pullback in private-equity software deal activity, is an early sign of that dynamic.

Beyond the headline numbers, the report offers several key insights:

The rebound is regionally uneven. North America led global M&A activity by a wide margin, accounting for more than half of aggregate deal value. Europe posted the strongest percentage growth of any major region, while Asia-Pacific activity declined.Regulatory risk is shifting rather than receding. Conventional antitrust enforcement may be less restrictive in parts of the market, but national-security screening, foreign-investment controls, and foreign-subsidy reviews increasingly influence deal terms, timing, and economics.Portfolio rotation can broaden the recovery. A greater number of divestitures, carve-outs, and private equity exits could increase the supply of prepared assets and free up capital for higher-priority businesses in the next leg of the M&A recovery.Alternative deal structures can bridge uncertainty. Minority investments, joint ventures, staged acquisitions, earnouts, and rollover equity can help parties share valuation, technology, control, and regulatory risk. More dealmakers, especially in the AI ecosystem, are using those structures to get deals done.

“AI is doing two things to this market at once,” said Daniel Friedman, global leader of Transactions & Integrations at BCG and a coauthor of the report. “It’s a reason to do more deals and a reason some deals are harder to close. The companies that get furthest ahead are likely to be the ones that have actually worked out which is true for the asset in front of them.”

Download the publication here.

Media Contact:
Bruce Wraight, wraight.bruce@bcg.com 

About Boston Consulting Group
Boston Consulting Group bridges the gap between ambition and outcomes for the world’s leading companies and organizations. We are built for this era of unprecedented change—bringing strategic clarity rooted in over 60 years of deep domain knowledge, combined with applied AI shaped by our practitioners. BCG works shoulder-to-shoulder with CEOs across industries and geographies to deliver transformative impact at scale: stronger returns, transferred capabilities, and change that sticks. For more information, visit bcg.com.

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SOURCE Boston Consulting Group (BCG)