FIFA expands global esports series with eLibertadores

Electronic Arts have announced that the FIFA franchise publisher will bring CONMEBOL Libertadores exclusively to FIFA 20 as a free content update.

While specific details regarding the tournament are yet to be revealed until sometime next month, the tournament will take place between March 7-8, 2020, and will see eight competitors compete for FIFA Global Series Points, as well as a $100,000 prize pool.

Players will be able to compete in the tournament using clubs such as Ecuador, Paraguay, Perú, Uruguay, as well as new clubs including Boca Juniors, Corinthians, Flamengo, and River Plate for the first time ever. There will be a new CONMEBOL Libertadores Tournament Mode as well as the already-present Career Mode, FIFA Ultimate Team and Kick-Off.

The partnership with EA should prove itself to be a major step forward in spreading the word and image of football in South America, while also allowing tournaments, clubs, and their players to have a greater reach within the community.

The tournament should also aid in strengthening the FIFA ecosystem and create more of a global community for fans of the game and reach parts of the world that have never before been seen. The news comes just days after SXSW announced they would be hosting the 2020 eMLS Cup in Austin, Texas.

Like Atlanta, Brazil has been picking up momentum in the esports community as being a potentially untapped market for the industry. As the country begins improving its overall infrastructure, it’s only a matter of time before the gaming industry finds a way to help fans consume entertainment and connect with other players more seamlessly.

Brazil already has a passionate esports community and a move like this will surely get them excited for what’s yet to come for the country.