LONDON: Going the Bundesliga way, England’s Premier League have joined hands with Electronic Arts (EA), the pioneers of video and online gaming to launch ‘ePremier League’ (ePL), the tournament’s official eSports competition.
UK-based gamers aged 16 and above will have the chance to represent their favourite Premier League club for the first time in competitive gaming history. While the registrations for the tournament will begin on 3 December this year, it will kickstart in January 2019 with the final to be held in London on 28-29 March 2019, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and the Premier League’s social media channels.
Gamers will compete for three months across three rounds: online qualification, live club playoffs and the eventual live ePL Final. All 20 Premier League clubs will have a live playoff round allowing two EA SPORTS FIFA 19 competitors, one per platform (PlayStation 4 and Xbox One), the chance to advance to the ePL Final.
The tournament is the newest league partner to be added to the EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series.
“EA SPORTS is a fantastic partner for the Premier League and we are looking forward to launching ePremier League with them,” Premier League MD Richard Masters said.
“We know that millions of fans play FIFA and this new esports competition will provide our clubs with an exciting opportunity to engage with them. We can’t wait to get started with the opening online rounds in January 2019.”
SVP and GM of the EA Competitive Gaming Division, Todd Sitrin said: “The Premier League’s global reach and intensely passionate fanbase pushes EA SPORTS FIFA competition to unprecedented heights as we accelerate esports growth through traditional sports.
“Through the ePL, this partnership carves a critical path forward in expanding competition not only for players, but for the hundreds of millions watching Premier League games who now can support their club on the virtual and the traditional pitch.”
Performing well in tin the ePL will also earn players the bonus of valuable season-long EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series Points used to qualify for the EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series Playoffs.
“The inclusion of the ePL will undoubtedly enhance the player and spectator experience,” EA SPORTS FIFA competitive gaming commissioner, Brent Koning said.
“Having the most popular football league in the world commit to competitive gaming in this expansive fashion we believe only accelerates the community’s enthusiasm for both FIFA Competitive Gaming and the Premier League.”
The ePL will be operated by renowned esports tournament organisers, Gfinity.
