EA unveils FIFA 23’s esports program, competitive ecosystem
Electronic Arts has unveiled EA SPORTS Cup, a competitive gaming program for its upcoming game FIFA 23. The announcement came ahead of the game’s worldwide release on September 30.
EA also released a roadmap for the game’s competitive ecosystem called the EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Global Series. Starting October 17, EA SPORTS FIFA’s official Twitch and YouTube channels will host international esports teams in the upcoming FIFAe Club World Cup 2023. Among the confirmed squads are Manchester City Esports, Paris Saint-Germain Esports, Fnatic, Complexity and more.
The EA SPORTS Cup is among the many competitive gaming attractions in EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Global Series (FGS 23), a competitive gaming ecosystem connecting gamers in 70 countries. Below is the complete rundown of this year’s FGS.
FGS 23 rundown
Competitive play is the center of FIFA 23. Backed by multiple global organizations, EA Esports VP Brent Koning said FGS 23 was a “monumental moment” for the game and the gaming company.
“Backed by the support of world-class esports organizations and football clubs, the first-ever EA SPORTS Cup is an EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Global Series (FGS 23) monumental moment,” Koning said.
“The allure of competition combined with dynamic storytelling unfolding on the pitch will create must-watch entertainment and motivate the masses to start their own competitive journeys in EA SPORTS FIFA 23.”
The traditional 1v1 will return to FIFA 23, and players will compete in the Road to the FIFAe World Cup 2023. The 1v1 online competition will begin as soon as the game’s Ultimate Edition launches worldwide on September 27. The entire series of events will last for ten months, with the EA SPORTS Cup concluding on January 16-21.
First on the roadmap is FUT Division Rivals this September 27. Best-performing players will advance to one of the nine FGS Regional Online Qualifiers. Next, players eligible for entry may participate in FGS 23 Midseason Major, an open bracket in-person competition scheduled on April 7, 2023, in London.
EA has partnered with over 30 football league partners and confederations to organize the tournaments. Fans can experience renowned soccer leagues in the digital format, including the ePremier League, Virtual Bundesliga, eLaLiga Santander, eLigue 1 Uber Eats, eMLS, eSerie A TIM, KPN eDivisie, CONMEBOL eLibertadores and the eChampions League. Reportedly, more partners will soon be announced.
“The FGS’s collection of the world’s top stars, top esports organizations, top football clubs, leagues, and confederations will showcase the next generation of esports on the Road to the FIFAe World Cup 2023,” EA SPORTS FIFA Esports commissioner Sam Turkbas.
“Now when you combine the star power with a robust ecosystem giving players around the world the opportunity to become the next big thing, this is confidently the biggest year in franchise history.”
The FGS Playoffs will kick off on June 23-25 next year. In total, there will be 64 best-players seeded from FGS Regional Qualifiers or tournaments from FIFA 23’s football league partner. After the playoffs conclude, 24 players will compete for the world championship title in the FIFAe World Cup 2023, scheduled for sometime in late summer that year.