Ahead of ESI London 2024 on June 13th, we take a look at one of our mainstage panels topics: where do football clubs belong in EA Sports FC’s new esports ecosystem?
One of the most iconic brand changes in esports history was the move from FIFA to EA Sports FC in September 2023. A game played by large swathes of today’s youth (and adults) received a bold new name.
But it wasn’t just a new name. EA Sports also announced a brand new esports ecosystem for its game. The new FC Pro Open competition provides a path to pro for individuals, who compete for cash and a spot in the season-ending, $1m (~£818,300) FC Pro World Championship.
Meanwhile, the new FC Pro Leagues sees various national football leagues from around the world hold esports competitions (such as ePremier League and eLiga Portugal). The FC Pro Leagues, which mostly feature the esports divisions of professional football clubs, also provides players with an opportunity to win additional prize money and qualify for the FC Pro World Championship.
In a break from tradition, EA’s brand new esports ecosystem in EA Sports FC put football clubs front and centre, rather than traditional esports organisations. Clubs choose players to represent them in various esports matches directly. This led to criticism from some, who argued esports organisations who’d helped build the scene had been largely squeezed out of the ecosystem.
Yet the FC Pro Open 24 has become the most popular esports competition in the game to date, per Esports Charts data. Something is clearly hitting — so what is it, and why? What have the results been so far? What is the state of play as players head to Berlin to close out the first season? Most importantly, where do football clubs belong in the future of EA FC esports?
Joining to discuss for the panel ‘Where do FC’s belong in EA FC?’ will be EA itself alongside some of the world’s biggest football clubs and other leading voices in the scene:
- Sam Turkbas – Senior Director, Esports & Commissioner, Football Esports – EA Sports FC
- Giulia Bellissimo – Marketing Account – Mkers Spa
- Kris Lewis – Head of Esports, Gaming, & Metaverse – City Football Group
- Rob Hawden – Esports Executive – Sheffield Wednesday FC
- Tom Daniels – Editor – Esports Insider
Last minute tickets for ESI London 2024 are still on sale here.
