Unprecedented 20 Million Players Competed in the Largest FIFA
Tournament in History
EA SPORTS FIFA 18 Global Series Playoffs in Amsterdam May 28-30
and June 1-3 Will Determine the FIFA eWorld Cup Grand Final 2018
Participants August 2-4
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. & ZÜRICH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Today, Electronic
Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) and Fédération
Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) announced the EA
SPORTS™ FIFA 18 Global Series* will conclude in London on August 2-4
with the FIFA eWorld Cup Grand Final 2018 as 32 eventual competitors
will chase the honor of becoming world champion of the world's game.
Qualification for those 32 spots occurs May 28-30 and June 1-3 in
Amsterdam as 128 competitors aim to survive, qualify and advance to the
FIFA eWorld Cup Grand Final 2018.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180524005747/en/
The EA SPORTS FIFA 18 Global Series has catapulted the world's most popular sports videogame franchise to new competitive gaming heights, as more than 20 million players around the world engaged in competitive play in FIFA this season and chased the dream of becoming world champion of the world's game. (Graphic: Business Wire)
The EA SPORTS FIFA 18 Global Series is a landmark, unified
competitive ecosystem sanctioned by EA and FIFA. This competition has
catapulted the world's most popular sports videogame franchise to new
competitive gaming heights, as more than 20 million players around the
world engaged in competitive play in FIFA this season and chased the
dream of becoming world champion of the world's game.
The EA and FIFA co-created format increased the global community of both
players and spectators through accessible competition, and has partnered
with top-tier football leagues, football clubs, football brands and
premier esport organizations to get intimately involved in the worldwide
competition. Top-flight leagues hosting EA SPORTS FIFA 18
tournaments and competitions included Hyundai A-League, Eredivisie, MLS,
J-League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Russia Premier League and Bundesliga. In
addition, the long-standing EA Champions Cup played on FIFA Online 3
in Asia became part of the Global Series and with players qualifying
into the upcoming Playoffs.
"The FIFA eWorld Cup Grand Final 2018 will be a signature moment for
competitive FIFA after a season-long journey that has engaged millions
of players and spectators," said Todd Sitrin, SVP and GM of EA
Competitive Gaming. "In partnership with FIFA, we accelerated the growth
of competitive gaming through the EA SPORTS FIFA 18 Global
Series, rallying the global football community together within this
singular ecosystem."
Now, the stage is set for 128 EA SPORTS FIFA 18 Global Series
competitors - 64 each on PlayStation®4 and Xbox One - will compete in
the Global Series Playoffs in Amsterdam May 28-30; June 1-3. Only 32
will advance from the playoffs - 16 per console - to the FIFA eWorld Cup
Grand Final 2018 in London where one player will be named the undisputed EA
SPORTS FIFA 18 world champion.
"This partnership with EA elevated competitive FIFA into a worldwide
phenomenon, combining the power of football with the spectacle of
entertainment in astounding ways," said Philippe Le Floc'h, Chief
Commercial Officer at FIFA. "A landmark year for global football and a
landmark year for competitive gaming ends fittingly at the FIFA eWorld
Cup 2018 in one of the most historic football cities in the world -
London."
"We make it our top priority to ensure competitive gaming is accessible
to players of all levels, and also elevate the best players into the
true global superstars they deserve to be," said Brent Koning, FIFA
Competitive Gaming Commissioner. "We accomplished this as more than 20
million players competed in this fun-filled, massive FIFA ecosystem.
We've also seen the rising stars of competitive FIFA become recognized
faces on the global scene."
EA has the mission to make stars of all its competitors by making
competitive gaming accessible to all. Quickly becoming a leading
entertainment brand in competitive gaming, with top-selling videogame
franchises, award-winning interactive technology and cross-platform
digital experiences, EA's competitive experiences ignite the passion of
millions of competitors and spectators through competition around the
world.
For more details on the entire EA SPORTS FIFA 18 Global
Series, please visit www.FUTChampions.com.
*Eligibility restrictions apply. Not all platforms are supported
for qualification. See Official
Rules for details. Final terms and structure subject to change.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive
entertainment. The Company develops and delivers games, content and
online services for Internet-connected consoles, mobile devices and
personal computers. EA has more than 300 million registered players
around the world.
In fiscal year 2017, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.8 billion.
Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a
portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality brands such as The
Sims™, Madden NFL, EA SPORTS™ FIFA, Battlefield™, Need for Speed™,
Dragon Age™ and Plants vs. Zombies™. More information about EA is
available at www.ea.com/news.
The Sims, EA SPORTS, Battlefield, Need for Speed, Dragon Age and Plants
vs. Zombies are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. John Madden, NFL and
FIFA are the property of their respective owners and used with
permission. Official FIFA licensed product. © FIFA and FIFA's Official
Licensed Product Logo are copyrights and/or trademarks of FIFA. All
rights reserved. Manufactured under license by Electronic Arts Inc.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180524005747/en/
Electronic Arts Inc.
Jino Talens, 650-628-9111
Sr. PR Manager
jtalens@ea.com
or
Caitilin
Doherty, +41 7544 22264
Intl' PR Lead
cadoherty@ea.com
Source: Electronic Arts Inc.
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