eChampions League to be launched for FIFA 19 after EA and UEFA team up

The video game developer has announced another brand new, exciting eSports tournament. 

Come next year, the most prestigious club competition in football will make its debut as EA Sports revealed the eChampions League esports tournament for FIFA 19.

The inclusion of full UEFA licensing, was one of the biggest selling points of this year’s FIFA, bringing the Champions League to life on consoles. 

The game comprises of the licensed trophy, graphics and most importantly, the iconic theme song.

With what appears to be the biggest tournament of the year, EA has now taken that partnership one step further ahead of the main event, the eWorld Cup. 

Taking a leaf from the ePremier League’s inaugural season, FIFA players will also get to copy Journey star Alex Hunter by living their dream of competing in the European competition. 

Surprisingly, the tournament will be restricted to PlayStation 4 players only, similar to the current Continental Cup in Paris. 

Between March 2-3, online qualifying will take place with global knockout tournaments before the top 64 competitors go on to a live qualifying event at an unconfirmed location during April 26-27.

European Nights are coming to the #FIFA19 Global Series. https://t.co/H8ifZa6sD2 #FIFAeWorldCup pic.twitter.com/hhru8sZxIT — EA SPORTS FIFA (@EASPORTSFIFA) November 9, 2018

The main event which will take place in Madrid on May 31, a day before the Champions League final and will feature only eight players. 

The tournament will be important to eWorld Cup qualification with 850 EA Sports FIFA 19 Global Series Points available to the winner.

Mosaad 'Msdossary' Aldossar from Saudi Arabia defeat more than 20 million competitors to win the Fifa eWorld Cup in August.

The champion of eChampions League will also receive a staggering $100,000 prize from the $280,000 prize pool. 

To connect the esports tournament more with the Champions League, the final eight players will need to include players who featured in this year’s Champions League Group Stages into their respective teams- an exciting spin which implies we get to see a variety of teams with less Icons.

EA SPORTS FIFA Competitive Gaming Commissioner, Brent Koning said:

“The next logical step in the continued EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series expansion for both players and spectators was building an authentic UEFA Champions League competition.

"The eChampions League creates a special chance for the competitive FIFA superstars to represent their clubs as our passionate competitors love the UEFA Champions League.”