.jfif)
FIFAe, the esports division of football’s governing body FIFA, has unveiled its first-ever multi-title football esports event, set to take place in Liverpool from August 28th to September 1st. The event, known as FIFAe Next Gen 2024, will be hosted at the Exhibition Centre, Liverpool, and features two popular football-themed esports titles: Football Manager, developed by Sports Interactive, and eFootball Pro Evolution Soccer.
In a strategic partnership with VisitLiverpool, which has become an official sponsor, FIFAe Next Gen 2024 aims to bring a vibrant mix of competitive football gaming to the city. The centerpiece of the event will be the FIFAe World Cup featuring Football Manager, where 20 managers from different nations will compete for a share of the $100,000 (~£78,000) prize pool. This marks the first time that national managers will face off in this format.
While FIFAe had previously announced a Rocket League competition, it will not be featured at this event, as the focus will be on Football Manager and eFootball.
The Football Manager tournament will be complemented by live content, including a special show hosted by football YouTuber Spencer ‘SpencerFC’ Owen, who will cover football, tactics, and Football Manager on the final two days of the event. This show will be streamed across FIFAe’s channels.
In addition to the Football Manager competition, the FIFAe Fame Your Game Cup will highlight eFootball Mobile. This segment will invite local players to compete in a qualifier on August 29th for a chance to face top global players the following day.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, expressed enthusiasm for the event: “As a city that lives and breathes football, loves bringing people together and relishes putting on big events, we’re delighted to be welcoming the first FIFAe Next Gen event to Liverpool. We are home to a vibrant and growing digital and gaming sector with strong esports credentials. This will be a fantastic opportunity to establish our city as a long-term host for the esports industry, boosting the local economy through tourism, hospitality, and retail.”
The participating countries for the Football Manager event include Belgium, England (with two representatives as the host nation), France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Korea Republic, Lithuania, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, and Türkiye.
FIFAe Next Gen 2024 promises to be a landmark event in the world of football esports, showcasing top-tier competition and engaging content in one of England’s most football-centric cities.