MBPP Mayor's Asia Cup
MBPP Mayor's Asia Cup, also known as the MBPP Mayor's Cup Paintball Championship or Penang Mayor's Cup, is an international tournament paintball competition held in George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
The event is organised in cooperation with the Penang Island City Council (Majlis Bandaraya Pulau Pinang, MBPP), Raskal Sports and Kelab Paintball Mambong. It is generally held at Padang Polo, a public sporting ground in central George Town.
The tournament features multiple competitive divisions, including electronic and mechanical paintball, alongside categories intended to encourage new players, women's participation and competition between Malaysian local authorities.
The Mayor's Cup developed from an earlier municipal paintball championship into a larger international competition. The 2025 edition attracted 105 teams and approximately 1,050 participants, while the 2026 championship attracted 110 teams.[1][2]
| Official name | MBPP Mayor's Asia Cup |
|---|---|
| Other names | MBPP Mayor's Cup Paintball Championship; Penang Mayor's Cup |
| Sport | Paintball |
| Discipline | Tournament paintball |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Location | George Town, Penang |
| Principal venue | Padang Polo |
| First held | Reported as 2008 or 2013; historical chronology requires clarification |
| Organisers | Penang Island City Council, Raskal Sports and Kelab Paintball Mambong |
| Format | Multiple electronic, mechanical and development divisions |
| Frequency | Annual in recent editions |
| Notable participation | 105 teams (2025); 110 teams (2026) |
| Next announced edition | 25–27 June 2027 |
| Website | Raskal Sports event calendar |
History
[edit]Origins
[edit]The MBPP Mayor's Asia Cup developed from the Penang Island City Council's Mayor's Cup Paintball Championship, a tournament associated with the municipal government of Penang.
The precise founding date requires clarification.
In June 2025, Penang's state news publication Buletin Mutiara described the championship as being in its tenth edition and stated that it had begun in 2013.[1]
However, a June 2026 report from the same publication stated that the championship was first introduced in 2008 at City Stadium and identified the 2026 tournament as its eleventh edition.[2]
The conflicting accounts may reflect differences between the earliest municipal tournament and the later annual championship, but the available reporting does not establish a definitive explanation.
The event subsequently developed into a competition attracting teams from Malaysia and other Asian countries.
Development into an international tournament
[edit]The Mayor's Cup became associated with international participation and the promotion of Penang as a sporting destination.
The event's organisation has involved cooperation between the Penang Island City Council and Malaysian paintball businesses and clubs.
In recent editions, Raskal Sports and Kelab Paintball Mambong have been identified as organising partners.
The event has been promoted under the MBPP Mayor's Asia Cup name, reflecting its international participation.
The tournament has also expanded beyond conventional open competition to include development divisions, women's paintball and competitions involving Malaysian local authorities.
Venue
[edit]Padang Polo
[edit]Recent editions of the MBPP Mayor's Asia Cup have been held at Padang Polo in George Town, Penang.
The venue is a public sporting ground located on Jalan Sepoy Lines.
Its grass playing surface accommodates temporary tournament paintball fields constructed using inflatable bunkers.
The central location allows the competition to be staged within George Town rather than at a permanent commercial paintball facility.
The 2024 tournament used three playing fields, according to a contemporary report published by Planet Eclipse.[3]
The 2025 event was promoted with plans for four fields, although the final number operated has not been independently confirmed.
Earlier venues
[edit]A 2026 report from Buletin Mutiara stated that the Mayor's Cup was first introduced at City Stadium in 2008.[2]
The dates and venues of subsequent early editions have not yet been reconstructed.
Organisation
[edit]Penang Island City Council
[edit]The Penang Island City Council is the principal municipal authority associated with the competition.
The council's involvement includes hosting and supporting the tournament as part of Penang's sporting and community activities.
The championship has been attended by municipal officials, including the Mayor of Penang Island.
The event is also promoted in connection with tourism and the local economy.
Raskal Sports
[edit]Raskal Sports is a Malaysian paintball equipment distributor and tournament organiser.
The company has been identified as a joint organiser of the Mayor's Cup in recent editions.
Its involvement includes tournament organisation and the development of competitive paintball events in Malaysia.
Raskal Sports also lists the Mayor's Asia Cup among its principal annual tournaments.[4]
Kelab Paintball Mambong
[edit]Kelab Paintball Mambong (KPM) has also been identified as an organising partner.
A contemporary Planet Eclipse report named the club alongside Raskal Sports and the Penang Island City Council in connection with the 2024 tournament.[3]
The organisers continued to be associated with subsequent editions.
Tournament format
[edit]Competition divisions
[edit]The Mayor's Asia Cup features multiple divisions intended to accommodate different levels of competitive experience and equipment formats.
The divisions have changed between editions.
At the 2025 championship, the organisers announced seven categories:
| Division | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Electronic | Electronic-marker tournament competition |
| Premier Electronic | Electronic-marker competition in a separate competitive category |
| Open Mechanical | Competition using mechanical paintball markers |
| Rookies | Development category for less experienced competitors |
| Valkyrie | Women's paintball division |
| Local Councils | Competition between teams representing Malaysian local authorities |
| MBPP Closed-Door | Restricted-entry competition category associated with the host council |
The divisions were reported by Buletin Mutiara during the opening of the 2025 championship.[1]
The exact rules, eligibility requirements and playing formats may vary between editions.
Women's competition
[edit]The tournament includes a women's division known as Valkyrie.
The category provides an additional competitive opportunity for women's paintball teams within the wider event.
The Valkyrie division was included in the 2025 programme and appeared on the published Asian women's paintball calendar for June 2026.[5]
Local authority competition
[edit]The Mayor's Cup also includes competition between Malaysian municipal and local authority teams.
A local councils category was introduced at the 2025 championship.
According to the organisers, the category was intended to encourage participation between local authorities and featured ten teams in its inaugural year.[1]
The category built on earlier participation by municipal paintball teams, including the Penang Island City Council and Iskandar Puteri City Council.
2024 edition
[edit]Tournament overview
[edit]The 2024 MBPP Mayor's Cup took place on 22–23 June at Padang Polo, George Town.
The event was organised in cooperation with the Penang Island City Council, Raskal Sports and Kelab Paintball Mambong.
A report published by Planet Eclipse described the tournament as using three playing fields and attracting teams and players from Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Myanmar, Singapore and Australia.[3]
The manufacturer reported participation exceeding 75 teams.
However, an official account published by the Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) recorded 50 teams across four categories.[6]
The difference between these participation figures has not been resolved. They may reflect different registration counts or competition classifications, but neither explanation has been confirmed.
Competition categories
[edit]The Iskandar Puteri City Council identified four categories at the 2024 tournament:
- MBPP Invitational
- Classic Electronic
- Open Mechanical
- Open Electronic (International)
Results
[edit]The Iskandar Puteri City Council paintball team won the MBPP Invitational category.[6]
The award was presented by Penang Island Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran.
The winners of the other divisions require further verification from official tournament results.
2025 edition
[edit]Tournament overview
[edit]The 2025 MBPP Mayor's Asia Cup took place from 27 to 29 June at Padang Polo, George Town.
The championship was jointly organised by the Penang Island City Council and Raskal Sports.
According to Buletin Mutiara, the event attracted 105 teams and approximately 1,050 participants.[1]
The tournament included international teams from Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, Brunei, Japan, India and other countries.
The championship offered a total prize pool of RM51,000 across its competition categories.
Competition programme
[edit]Seven competitive categories were announced for the 2025 tournament.
These included electronic and mechanical divisions, a rookie category, the Valkyrie women's division and competitions for local authority teams.
The local councils category was introduced as a new feature of the event.
The organisers also provided a free paintball clinic intended to allow spectators to experience the sport.
Local councils results
[edit]The Penang Island City Council's MBPP A team won the local authorities category.
The result was documented in the council's own 2025 municipal bulletin.[7]
The category featured ten teams representing Malaysian local authorities.
Results from the remaining divisions require confirmation from official tournament records.
2026 edition
[edit]Tournament overview
[edit]The 2026 MBPP Mayor's Asia Cup was held from 26 to 28 June at Padang Polo, George Town.
The event was described as the eleventh edition of the championship.[2]
It was jointly organised by the Penang Island City Council and Raskal Sports.
The tournament attracted 110 teams competing across six categories, according to Buletin Mutiara.[8]
A separate report stated that the event involved more than 1,100 participants, including international teams.[9]
The total prize pool was reported as approximately RM50,000.
International participation
[edit]The 2026 competition attracted teams from Malaysia and abroad.
Contemporary reporting identified the tournament as an important event for international paintball participation in Penang.
The event also formed part of wider tourism promotion associated with Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
Development of paintball facilities
[edit]During the 2026 championship, Penang Island Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran discussed the possibility of identifying a permanent location for paintball activities.
The proposed facility would support training, recreational participation and tournament organisation throughout the year.
The announcement reflected the limitations of relying on temporary competition fields for regular paintball activity.
As of October 2026, a permanent venue had not been confirmed in the cited reporting.[8]
Future editions
[edit]2027 championship
[edit]Raskal Sports has announced the MBPP Mayor's Asia Cup 2027 for 25–27 June at Padang Polo in George Town.[4]
The event is listed as part of the company's forthcoming tournament calendar.
The final competition divisions, registered teams and results have not yet been established.
Participation
[edit]The Mayor's Cup has expanded substantially in recent editions.
| Year | Dates | Venue | Reported teams | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 22–23 June | Padang Polo, George Town | 50 or more than 75 | Conflicting published counts |
| 2025 | 27–29 June | Padang Polo, George Town | 105 | Approximately 1,050 participants; seven categories |
| 2026 | 26–28 June | Padang Polo, George Town | 110 | Six categories; approximately RM50,000 prize pool |
| 2027 | 25–27 June (scheduled) | Padang Polo, George Town | To be announced | Future edition |
Participation figures are based on contemporary reporting and may reflect different counting methods between years.
Role in Malaysian paintball
[edit]The MBPP Mayor's Asia Cup is an example of cooperation between Malaysian local government and private paintball tournament organisers.
Its development has provided opportunities for domestic and international teams to compete in Penang.
The inclusion of mechanical, electronic, rookie and women's divisions has broadened the range of competitors participating in the event.
The introduction of local authority competition has also created a connection between paintball and municipal sporting programmes.
The championship contributes to Penang's sporting events calendar and has been promoted as a means of attracting visitors to the state.
Its recent growth has also contributed to discussions about establishing permanent paintball facilities in Penang.
Timeline
[edit]| Year | Development |
|---|---|
| 2008 | A later municipal report identifies the first Mayor's Cup paintball tournament at City Stadium |
| 2013 | Another municipal report identifies this as the beginning of the championship's modern edition history |
| 22–23 June 2024 | Mayor's Cup held at Padang Polo; MBIP wins the Invitational category |
| July 2024 | Planet Eclipse publishes a report on the tournament and its international participation |
| 27–29 June 2025 | Mayor's Asia Cup attracts 105 teams and approximately 1,050 participants |
| June 2025 | Local councils competition introduced; MBPP A wins the category |
| 26–28 June 2026 | Eleventh edition attracts 110 teams |
| June 2026 | Penang Island City Council discusses the possibility of a permanent paintball venue |
| 25–27 June 2027 | Next Mayor's Asia Cup scheduled for Padang Polo |
See also
[edit]- Paintball in Malaysia
- Paintball in Asia
- Raskal Sports
- Kelab Paintball Mambong
- Penang Island City Council
- MBPJ IMPACT
- Langkawi Asia Cup
- Paintball World Cup Asia
- Paintball Asia League Series
- Women's paintball
- Mechanical paintball
References
[edit]- "MBPP Mayor's Cup Paintball Championship draws record participation with 105 teams", Buletin Mutiara, 27 June 2025. Documents participation, tournament categories, organisers and prize money.
- "Penang gears up for 11th MBPP Mayor's Cup Paintball Championship", Buletin Mutiara, 19 June 2026. Identifies the eleventh edition and reports an original tournament in 2008.
- "Great to see Malaysia back with council support", Planet Eclipse HQ Blog, 17 July 2024. Contemporary account of the 2024 tournament, organisers, playing fields and international participation.
- "Play Our Events!", Raskal Sports. Official event information and 2027 tournament calendar.
- "Paintball Media Magazine, April 2026", page 51. Lists the 2026 MBPP Mayor's Asia Cup Valkyries women's division.
- "MBIP Winner of the Penang City Council Mayor's Cup Paintball Invitation Category 2024", Iskandar Puteri City Council. Official report on the 2024 Invitational result and tournament categories.
- "Buletin Bandaraya, Second Edition 2025", Penang Island City Council. Official municipal bulletin documenting the 2025 local authorities category and MBPP A victory.
- "Penang eyes permanent paintball venue as sport continues to gain momentum", Buletin Mutiara, June 2026. Reports 110 teams, prize money and discussions concerning a permanent paintball venue.
- "Bukan sekadar Paintball: MBPP Mayor's Asia Cup pecah rekod, gegar gergasi Asia di Pulau Pinang!", Harimau Malaya, 29 June 2026. Reports international participation and attendance at the 2026 championship.