English professional football club Rotherham United has entered the esports industry through FIFA 19.
Just like Scunthorpe United, which just launched Scunthorpe United eSports, Rotherham United has partnered with Virtual Pro Gaming to join its 11-a-side FIFA league in the near future.
Jamie Noble, Head of Community at Rotherham United is working to revamp the club’s art facility, Goal Zone, allowing FIFA 19 matches to played at the AESSEAL New York Stadium on match days.
Rob Hawden, Esports Team Manager at Rotherham United said: “We are delighted to be collaborating with Jamie Noble and everyone at the club. Rotherham United has some of the most passionate fans in the country and we want to help spread the club’s wings to build on an already growing fanbase.”
Dave Raybould, a collaborator on the project also commented: “We wanted to work with Rotherham United because the club has the right values and wants to engage with the surrounding community, this is of course a passion we share.”
A new area entitled the FIFA HUB will be created to act as a “meeting point for fans of FIFA where people can meet and chat and play the beautiful game.” It will be launched on September 29th, and subsequently will be open on home match days on weekends.
Rotherham United eSports will be holding trials in the near future, and suggests that budding players get in touch via social media regarding enquiries.
Esports Insider says: Two unexpected football teams announcing esports ventures in as many days is interesting. While 11-a-side FIFA certainly isn’t the casual esports fan’s typical game of choice, it’s the most natural move for these clubs to make so we understand it. We can only hope they find their experiences in esports fruitful and decide to expand in the future.