February 27 – The official football esports programme of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) will merge into the EA Sports FC Pro elite tournament programme for the first time this season.
The upcoming tournament, penned for a March start date, will be run in collaboration with sports management company Integral and will give EA Sports FC 24 players from the region the chance to represent NPFL clubs in the competition.
This format for the collaboration has been replicated across a number of countries, including England’s ePremier League and Germany’s eBundesliga. As EA’s Pro Elite programme expands, it builds the promotion around its FC Pro World Championships that will be played this June, with players from every continent now having the opportunity to make their mark on the world stage.
Commenting on the planned esports program, Gbenga Elegbeleye, Chairman of the NPFL board, said: “We are excited to be a part of this landmark series of events giving NPFL fans the opportunity to compete at the esports tournament representing NPFL clubs, thanks to our partnership with Integral!
“With Integral’s innovative expertise, the eNPFL tournament is sure to be engaging and thrilling both for the gamers and the fans. It is a thing of pride that with this partnership with Integral, the NPFL becomes the first West African league to be a part of the EA SPORTS FC Pro esports program for 2024!”
This year, the eNPFL tournament will roll out across four Nigerian regions, featuring players representing all 20 NPFL clubs.
Qualifiers are scheduled to take place from March 9 – April 13, in Ibadan, Abuja, Port-Harcourt, and Enugu, while the the Grand Finale travels to Nigeria’s capital, Lagos, on April 27.
The finalists will compete for a prize of $15,000 and the winner securing a spot in the Play-Ins for the EA SPORTS FC Pro World Championship 2024, at which the prize pot will be dizzyingly bigger.
Managing Director of Integral Deolu Lamikanra said: “After a successful first-ever EA SPORTS licensed event last season, we are thrilled that we are able to once again bring an exciting gaming experience with EA SPORTS FC 24 right at the center!
“Working with the NPFL ensures we provide a unique opportunity to not just gamers across all parts of Nigeria to participate but also fans of the NPFL to follow the tournament live through our broadcast partners.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1714198960labto1714198960ofdlr1714198960owedi1714198960sni@g1714198960niwe.1714198960yrrah1714198960