EA Sports announced the launch of a novel esports structure for its newest football video game series, EA Sports FC (EAFC). This new initiative, named EA Sports FC Pro, is set to serve as a global platform, enabling EAFC gamers to participate in one-on-one matches throughout the years 2023 and 2024.
Per an ESI report, EA Sports FC Pro will be divided into two main seasonal contests: the FC Pro Open and the FC Pro Leagues. The FC Pro Open, described as a ‘clear path to pro’, will invite players from ten different regions to vie for a portion of a $1 million cumulative prize pool. This competition is scheduled to run from October 2023 to February 2024.
Starting in February 2024, the FC Pro League will collaborate with its league associates, including renowned leagues such as the Premier League, Bundesliga, and Major League Soccer (MLS). Spanning five months, this contest offers players a chance to earn prize money and secure a spot in the grand FC Pro World Championship.
Scheduled for June 2024, the FC Pro World Championship will feature 32 contenders — four from the FC Pro Open and 28 from the FC Pro Leagues. They will compete for a slice of the $1 million prize fund and the opportunity to be crowned the first-ever FC Pro World Champion.
These events aim to replace the previously held FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup esports events. Moreover, EA Sports has also signaled the comeback of the eChampions League event for the year 2024, although specific details remain under wraps.
Sam Turkbas, the Senior Director and Commissioner of Football Esports at EA, expressed his enthusiasm for FC Pro, stating:
“FC Pro will redefine the way our millions of Ultimate Team players engage with EA SPORTS FC. In collaboration with our League Partners, our season-long FC Pro journey is the ultimate platform for our Ultimate Team enthusiasts to showcase their passion for FC.”
We don’t know yet what FIFA’s plans are for their replacement game or the original eFIFA circuit. At this stage it seems most esports players are moving to the new title in short order.