EA SPORTS FC Pro, the official esports programme for EA FC, and European football association UEFA have announced its new eChampions League (eCL) programme.
The competition, which features a $280,000 (~£221,032) prize pool, will see Europe’s top EA SPORTS FC players represent football clubs on the virtual pitch during May. The 2024 edition also marks the first time the competition will be exclusive to football clubs, with FC Pro League competitions across Europe to determine who qualifies.
The FC Pro Leagues will start in February and provides players with opportunities to advance to the eChampions League Group Stage. To reflect the real-world Champions League, the top eight football clubs that make it to the UCL Quarterfinals will also be invited directly to the virtual competition.
The Group Stage will begin on May 11th, with the top 24 players advancing to the knockout stage in the following week. The best eight competitors will qualify for the eCL final which will take place live in London in the leadup to the UCL final at Wembley Stadium on May 29th.
The 2023/2024 FC Pro season marks a new start for the football game franchise. The new competitive ecosystem followed the end of the long-standing partnership between EA Sports and football governing body FIFA last year.
The esports season will consist of two competitions, the FC Pro Open and FC Pro Leagues. These two competitions will determine the 32 players who will compete in the FC Pro World Championship and have the chance to win a share of its $1m (~£789,400) prize pool.
Sam Turkbas, FC Pro Commissioner at EA SPORTS, commented: “EA SPORTS FC puts our league partners at the centre of football esports competition, and that extends to our partnership with UEFA Champions League.
“This Season, we are looking forward to spotlighting the eChampions League during the month of May and giving football fans and Ultimate Team™ players more ways to watch their favourite FC Pro athletes compete under the banner of iconic European clubs.”
