FIFA and Electronic Arts have announced its new esports programme for EA SPORTS FIFA 22.
According to the announcement, the new programme will allow players from more than 70 countries to compete in FIFA, making it one of the world’s largest competitive gaming ecosystems.
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The new programme will feature both 1v1 and 2v2 competitions, which will allow players to represent themselves, esports organisations, real-world football clubs, and their nation in a diverse set of FIFA esports events.
Brent Koning, VP of Competitive Gaming at EA SPORTS, said: “FIFA competitive gaming is the future of global esports entertainment, enhancing how fans experience the game they love.
“FIFA possesses the pivotal platform for football fans around the world to insert themselves into their own sports story. In partnership with FIFA, the mainstream appeal of esports is evident.”
The three competitions featured in EA’s esports programme are the FIFAe Club Series 2022, the FIFAe Nations Series 2022, and the EA SPORTS FIFA 22 Global Series, which is on the road to the FIFAe World Cup 2022. These events will all take place in Summer 2022.
Qualification for the EA SPORTS FIFA 22 Global Series will start on November 27th, with the traditional 1v1 competitive format showcased through online tournaments across 10 global regions. \
In addition, more than 30 leagues will offer esports programmes as official partners, which will give fans the opportunity to represent their region’s real-world clubs.
Some of the official league partners include the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1, MLS, CONMEBOL Libertadores, and UEFA Champions League.
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Christian Volk, Director of eFootball and Gaming at FIFA, stated: “Newcomers, as well as established superstars – individually or as a team – will inspire entire nations of EA SPORTS FIFA players and get the opportunity to fame their game.
“A historic season full of thrilling competitive FIFA stories will captivate a global fanbase with this expanded ecosystem.”
The FIFAe Club Series 2022 will start this November with the FIFAe Club Online Qualifiers and will include the new FUT ‘Team of the Year’ and ‘Team of the Season’ cups.
Member associations will be competing against each other in 2v2 games at the FIFAe Nations Series 2022 .All nations will begin their journey at FIFAe Nations Online Qualifiers, with top national teams advancing to the FIFAe Nations Playoffs.
It is expected that national campaigns will be utilised to will find top competitive stars for the nations.
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Sam Turkbas, Competitive Gaming Commissioner at FIFA, added: “Football would not exist without the power of teamwork. Our objective is to harness that power and use esports entertainment to connect football fans around the world to the game they love. Team-based FIFA competitive gaming will be a growth catalyst for future football fandom.”
Esports Insider says: FIFA and EA are set to expand its reach and engagement even more by launching a refreshed EA SPORTS FIFA 22 esports ecosystem. Moreover, fans, alongside pro players, will have the opportunity to rise through the ranks, represent their regions, and even make it to the top.