EA Competitive Gaming Division Signs Comprehensive Agreement to Expand Global Reach

Since forming the EA Competitive Gaming Division (CGD) just over one year ago, we've received immense support from players around the world to build new experiences founded upon competition, community and entertainment. And today, we've announced a comprehensive agreement with ESPN to expand our reach and give millions of new fans around the world a front row seat to the action.

“We've long believed in the potential of competitive gaming to reach an even broader audience once games are more accessible to play and more accessible to watch,” said Todd Sitrin, SVP, EA Competitive Gaming Division. “I'm very excited to bring on ESPN who shares our vision as we pioneer the next phase of our competitions and bring experiences like EA SPORTS FIFA to more fans.”

ESPN’s telecast of the Paris Regional Final marks the first time that the network has ever aired an esports event in the United States. Additional coverage of The FIFA Ultimate Team Championship Series will also be available on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and ESPN3. Globally, ESPN will carry the Paris Regional Final and the remaining six FIFA EA Majors in more than 60 countries on various key platforms in English (Canada via TSN, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands and the Caribbean), Spanish (Mexico, Central and South America), and Portuguese (Brazil).

 “We’re expanding our competitive gaming portfolio to include events that also resonate with traditional sports fans, and EA’s FIFA Ultimate Team Championship Series fits perfectly into how we intend to continue to serve esports fans moving forward,” said John Lasker, VP of programming and acquisitions, ESPN. “The opportunity to reach this passionate audience globally in multiple languages is exciting, and we are pleased to do so as part of our long-standing relationship with EA.”

In addition, the FIFA Ultimate Team Championship Series will be streamed live on Twitch and YouTube reaching fans where they are and how they want to watch. EA.com will also embed the live Twitch stream.

We're thrilled to be bringing competition to you on new platforms. We can't wait to see how these competitions unfold and learn who will be crowned champions. Be sure to tune in starting this weekend!

WHERE / WHEN TO WATCH THIS WEEKEND

FIFA Ultimate Team Championship Series Paris Regional Final: Saturday, Feb. 4 at 12 p.m. ET

• ESPN (check local listings): Tape-Delay Telecast (Sunday, Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. ET)
• ESPN Deportes & ESPN3 (http://www.espn.com/watchespn/index/_/id/2982703/2017-fifa-ultimate-team-championship-series): Live Telecast and Stream
• Twitch (www.twitch.tv/EASPORTSFIFA): Live Stream
  • Note -- EA.com (www.FUTChampions.com/LIVE) will embed the live Twitch stream
• YouTube (www.youtube.com/EASPORTS ): Live Stream

COMPLETE U.S. SCHEDULE FOR THE FIFA ULTIMATE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES ON ESPN NETWORKS -- ALL TIMES EST*

• Saturday, February 4^th (Paris): Live at 12pm on ESPN Deportes & ESPN3
• Sunday, February 5 (Paris): 6-7pm ESPN (Tape Delay)
• Saturday, February 11 (Sydney): Live at 3am on ESPN Deportes & ESPN3, 7am on ESPN2 (Tape Delay)
• Sunday, February 19 (Miami): Live at 7pm on ESPN2 & ESPN Deportes
• Saturday, April 8 (Vancouver): Live at 8pm on ESPN2 & ESPN Deportes
• Saturday, April 22 (Singapore): Live at 6am on ESPN2 & ESPN Deportes
• Saturday, May 6 (Madrid): Live at 11am on ESPN2 & ESPN Deportes
• Saturday, May 20 (Berlin – Grand Final): Live at 11am on ESPN2 & ESPN Deportes

*Subject to change

To stay up to date on EA SPORTS FIFA competitive gaming events, follow EA SPORTS FIFA on Twitter and Facebook or visit the website.