SXSW to host 2020 eMLS Cup

The 2020 eMLS season, scheduled to begin in January 2020, is set to feature 25 eMLS players, with each team representing completely different MLS Clubs, and will also feature three new clubs this season — LAFC, Austin FC, and Nashville SC 

Each League Series tournament will be live-streamed and each tournament will give eMLS Players the chance to accumulate points to determine their seeding for the eMLS Cup. This event is also an official league qualifier for the FIFA eWorld Cup.

League Series One will be held in Philadelphia and League Series Two will be held in Portland, and League Series Three with the season wrapping up in Austin, Texas at SXSW alongside it’s gaming weekend of the conference.

In addition to participating in the SXSW event, Austin FC will host a pre-tournament event the night before the competition at an undisclosed location before the all-day affair takes place the following day, with qualifiers starting in the morning and single-elimination matches leading up to the championship being played in the evening.

The winner of eMLS Cup will receive 850 Global Series points, qualification for the Global Series Playoffs, and the FIFA eWorld Cup, whereas the top 32 competitors will advance to the FIFA eWorld Cup, giving them all a chance to be crowned the FIFA 20 World Champion.

Chief programming officer for SXSW Hugh Forrest said of the upcoming event, “SXSW is honored to be a part of the eMLS Cup in 2020. Their participation will take our esports efforts to a new level, and we look forward to working with them on the tournament.”