The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has named telecommunications company Virgin Media as the title sponsor for its esports programme.
As a result of the deal, the eLeague of Ireland (ELOI) will now be named the Virgin Media ELOI for the next two years.
In addition to supporting the ELOI, the FAI‘s national eFootball team will also receive sponsorship from Virgin Media alongside the newly launched EFAI Cup, an EA Sports FC 24 tournament involving all 20 men’s League of Ireland clubs beginning in February 2024.
Winners of the Virgin Media ELOI will earn a place in the group stage of the eChampions League and a spot in the playoffs for the FC Pro World Championship in June 2024.
Partnering with the FAI isn’t the first time Virgin Media has entered the esports industry. In October 2022, the company announced a sponsorship deal with Irish esports organisation WYLDE. Moreover, it also opened a free-to-use gaming space inside London’s O2 Arena in July.
The Irish esports industry continues to grow through partnerships and grassroots initiatives. Earlier this month, esports organisation Nativz Gaming joined forces with Monster Energy to support the Ireland Esports Collegiate Series.
Sean Kavanagh, Commercial Director of the FAI, spoke on the deal: “This is an exciting partnership for the FAI to have such a brilliant brand to be the title sponsor for our electronic games programmes.
“The addition of the EFAI Cup will give the wider public a great opportunity to get involved in the games and having Virgin Media alongside us will help us amplify this as well as the Virgin Media ELOI and ENational Team for the FAI to an even wider audience.”
