In a collaboration between football and gaming, Fifa and EA Sports have announced that they will be organising a new Fifa esports series which commences in end June.
Football’s world governing body, Fifa and the games publisher set to introduce professional football players who will team up with esport gamers and social media influencers from four countries to compete in the Fifa eChallenger Series for Asia.
The competition is modeled after the Fifa Online 4 game and will have teams from four countries – South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand and China.
With the surge in popularity of the computer game industry in Asia, it comes as no surprise that the initiative is focused on the region.
DBS chief investment officer Hou Wey Fook shared, “We believe COVID-19 will accelerate the growth of esports, especially in Asia-Pacific.”
The online series is set to take place from 25-30 June and will last four rounds with one team crowned national champions. Each country will produce a team consisting of three players and each match will include 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3 games.
This competition will replace the Fifa eChampions Cup Spring 2020 and will be livestreamed on Fifa’s gaming platform, Fifa.gg.
Fifa Chief Commercial Officer, Simon Thomas said, “For the first time, EA Sports Fifa Online 4 fans across Asia will have the chance to watch and engage directly with their favourite football stars, influencers and esports professionals.”
The dates for the tournament are: Vietnam, 25 and 27 June; Thailand, 29 and 30 June; South Korea, 26-28 June; and China, 28-30 June.
