FIFA Football’s integration into the sport which it’s known for has grown exponentially over the past year with more and more Football clubs, organizations and leagues entering the esport. It all began with a few clubs showing interest and now Portugal, a nation rich in Football history, has announced their own €20,000 FIFA League. The Federation has announced its new league, the Allianz Challenge, which is set to kick off later this month, and will be a first for Portugal.
“This joint initiative with FPF esports, the Allianz Challenge, will bring together players who have the same interests, the same passion, and the same desire to win like any other athlete in another sport,” said Teresa Brantuas, CEO o
f Allianz Portugal.
The league will join forces with HP, Red Bull and Portuguese telecommunications company Moche who come on board as headline sponsors. A special showmatch is being put forward to launch the competition which will feature four members of Portugal’s female football team, who are also sponsored by Allianz Portugal. This is arguably the best way to launch a competition with the joining of the two industries, and the inclusion of female gamers who are still under-represented in esports.
FIFA’s growing trend of partnerships with Football teams is something which is growing across all esports. The NBA recently detailed their upcoming changes to their franchised league, which now includes China, and is set to start in 2018. The NBA2K league already has 17 teams who have signed up, and more are set to follow suit. While the inaugural showmatch will happen later this month, finer details about the league have yet to be announced. The question is whether this will be regional or include the whole of Europe who have already come on board with FIFA.
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Last Updated: June 12, 2017
