EA Sports has announced the latest rendition of its professional circuit to be paired with the annual release of its FIFA franchise.
The FIFA 21 Global Series features a new region-based structure to the FIFA eWorld Cup and preseason that includes appearances from FIFA professionals, influencers, content creators, and professional footballers.
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An extensive, entertainment-focused preseason will take place over the month of October. Preseason kicks off with a two-day Twitch Rivals Preseason Invitational event running on October 3rd-5th that will feature professional footballers, including Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero, join in on FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) co-op teams and individual play.
This will be followed up by an eLaLiga All-Star event on October 6th that will feature the best of the Spanish league’s FIFA pros. October 8th will see the YouTube Gaming Creators Cup pit influencers and content creators against one another, including personalities such as StandartSkill and Two Players One Console.
A final preseason event FIFA 21 Global Series: FIFA 21 Challenge will take place on October 29th, with teams consisting of Footballers and FIFA pros competing against each other to claim the ultimate bragging rights.
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The new competitive structure for the FIFA 21 Global Series will see an expanded pool of countries eligible to compete through a regionally-divided, online structure for players around the world. Beginning in November, six circuits open to FUT verified participants in Europe, North America, South America, West Asia, East Asia, and Oceania-designated regions and provide opportunities for players to compete across 30-plus tournaments to qualify for the FIFA eWorld Cup.
Competitors who reside in their league’s home country will have the opportunity to represent their favourite club through the EA SPORTS FIFA 21 Global Series.
Brent Koning, FIFA Competitive Gaming Commissioner at EA, is excited to continue building on last year’s efforts and what the new competition and entertainment structure will entail, noting that “our star-studded FIFA 20 Stay and Play Cup received a greater global and mainstream response than we could have expected.
“Broadcasted in over 100 countries, the event served as a new launching point for the team as we began to pump even more innovation and excitement into our competitive ecosystem. This year we are bringing more entertainment through unique competitive formats while tapping into the biggest leagues, brands and football names on the planet. We can’t wait to deliver the most engaging, accessible, and talent-filled FIFA season in history.”
Esports Insider says: This is big news for those participating or invested in the professional FIFA scene. EA’s heavy investment into an entertainment-based preseason is reflective of its broader approach to esports that is continuing to position or blend celebrity entertainment with the competitive side of its games.