MLS and EA Sports Expand eMLS to 22 Clubs - Atlanta United FC, FC Cincinnati, and DC United Added

Major League Soccer and EA Sports have announced an expanded eMLS, poised to grow the fan connection to the MLS through FIFA competition. Check out some of the details and read the full press release below.

• The eMLS 2019 season features 22 MLS clubs integrated into the competitive ecosystem, with Atlanta United, D.C. United and FC Cincinnati joining the competition for the first time.
• The competitive infrastructure for eMLS will expand to include the inaugural eMLS League Series presented by PlayStation.
• eMLS League Series events will launch in January and include participation from all eMLS professional FIFA players.
• Players will compete to represent their club at the 2019 eMLS Cup presented by PlayStation.
• eMLS players competing in eMLS Cup will receive points for the EA SPORTS Global Series Playoffs.

Major League Soccer and EA SPORTS Reveal Expanded Competitive FIFA Infrastructure, eMLS Cup Details and Additional Club Participation

eMLS League Series presented by PlayStation to launch in January; eMLS Cup returns to crown best FIFA player in North America; Atlanta United, D.C. United and FC Cincinnati join eMLS

Today, Major League Soccer and EA SPORTS announced an expanded eMLS, poised to grow the fan connection to the MLS through FIFA competition. The eMLS 2019 season features 22 MLS clubs integrated into the competitive ecosystem, with Atlanta United, D.C. United and FC Cincinnati joining the competition for the first time as players compete to represent their club at the 2019 eMLS Cup presented by PlayStation.

The competitive infrastructure for eMLS will expand to include the inaugural eMLS League Series presented by PlayStation. The 2019 eMLS League Series will be comprised of two (2) events: eMLS League Series One hosted in conjunction with the LA Galaxy in January and eMLS League Series Two with FC Dallas in February. Each of these eMLS League Series events will include participation from all eMLS professional FIFA players and will result in their own distinct prizing opportunities. eMLS player performance across the two eMLS League Series events will determine seeding for the 2019 eMLS Cup presented by PlayStation.

“We were thrilled with the success and excitement in year one of eMLS,” said James Ruth, Senior Director of Properties and Events at Major League Soccer. “Working with our core partners, EA SPORTS and PlayStation, we are creating more opportunities for our players to compete and our fans to engage with eMLS in 2019.  eMLS League Series presented by PlayStation and the rest of our 2019 programming will push us closer to our goal of blurring the lines between traditional and digital soccer, while further elevating eMLS in the global FIFA competitive gaming community.”

The eMLS is an Official League Partner of the EA SPORTS™ FIFA 19 Global Series and eMLS players competing in eMLS Cup will receive points for the EA SPORTS Global Series Playoffs. Within the EA SPORTS FIFA 18 Global Series, eMLS had six players qualify for the Global Series Playoffs in Amsterdam (behind only the Virtuelle Bundesliga), with Sporting Kansas City’s competitor advancing to the 2018 FIFA eWorld Cup in London.

“The eMLS is an accelerant to growing fandom in North America through the increasing connection between virtual and real-world soccer,” said Brent Koning, EA SPORTS FIFA Competitive Gaming Commissioner. “Our partnership with the MLS and the 22 eMLS clubs elevates competitive FIFA through the power of sports and esports, and provides an engaging platform to attract new fans, sponsors and partners to the game.”

Atlanta United FC, FC Cincinnati, and DC United are three (3) new Clubs joining eMLS for 2019, bringing the total Club participation count to twenty-two (22). The nineteen (19) Clubs that participated in the 2018 season of eMLS are all returning: Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew SC, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, LA Galaxy, Minnesota United FC, Montreal Impact, New England Revolution, New York City FC, New York Red Bulls, Orlando City SC, Philadelphia Union, Portland Timbers, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC, Sporting Kansas City, Toronto FC, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

MLS announced eMLS, its competitive gaming platform, in January 2018. eMLS activates via competitive events linked to the EA SPORTS Global Series Playoffs, crossover events in tandem with MLS Big Events (e.g., MLS All-Star Game and Rivalry Week), and content tailored for the casual FIFA fan. The 2018 eMLS Cup presented by PlayStation was held in April at PAX East, one of the nation’s largest gaming conventions. In August, the eMLS All-Star Challenge presented by Wells Fargo featured a 2 vs. 2 tournament with celebrities like Landon Donovan and Waka Flocka. This event won the inaugural Tempest Award for “Best New Event Stream” at the Esports Business Summit in Las Vegas in October.

For more information on eMLS, eMLS League Series and eMLS Cup, including team announcements and tournament structure, visit https://www.mlssoccer.com/esports/emls/2019-0.