EA Sports Announces Significant Investment in Women’s Sports
At the recent Women’s Football Summit, EA SPORTS announced several key initiatives dedicated to championing the women’s sports community and growing the game of soccer on both on and off the field. EA SPORTS has announced a multi-year partnership with the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL), which will allow both parties to deliver a more impactful experience for women’s football fans around the globe.
Unveiling the ‘Starting XI Fund’, an Accelerator Fund for Women’s Soccer, is designed to grow the game forward. To jumpstart the fund, EA SPORTS has committed an $11M investment, which will incorporate in-game, league, club, and athlete investments to continue elevating the women’s game.
EA SPORTS also announced that beginning in 2023, it will fund a women’s internship program with each new and existing women’s league partner, designed to inspire and empower young females from diverse backgrounds to become involved in the world of soccer.
“EA SPORTS is at the epicenter of global football fandom, and we recognize the role we have in representing and elevating diversity and participation in the sport,” stated Andrea Hopelain, SVP of Brand, EA SPORTS. “Our commitment extends beyond the pitch in the virtual and real world. The Starting XI Fund reinforces our dedication to unrivaled authenticity and representation in our games, and showcases our focus on being changemakers for the future of the sport.”
UEFA Women’s Champions League
Starting early 2023, EA SPORTS™ FIFA 23 will feature the knockout stage of the UWCL, with clubs including Juventus Women, Real Madrid Femenino, Chelsea Women, Manchester City Women, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, Paris Saint-Germain Féminine, and more.
“We are delighted to see the UEFA Women’s Champions League being integrated into EA SPORTS FIFA 23,” stated Nadine Kessler, Chief of Women’s Football for UEFA. “It feels like a natural fit for the world’s best women’s club competition to be part of the world’s leading football simulation game. This is another major step in the women’s game and an ideal additional platform for the female athletes contributing to its success.”
EA Sports Kickoff
Adding to the list, EA SPORTS has agreed to a multi-year sponsorship partnership with DAZN to become the Global Broadcast Partner of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. The partnership will kick off in March, in conjunction with the UEFA Women’s Champions League launching in FIFA 23 and the quarterfinal round of the competition. EA SPORTS advertising will be featured across all matchday global broadcasts on DAZN and on DAZN’s UWCL YouTube Channel. The partnership expands on EA SPORTS’ commitment to providing the most immersive experience to fans across the globe.
“We are thrilled to officially announce EA SPORTS as DAZN’s newest global broadcast sponsor of the UEFA Women’s Champions League coverage, as part of a budding roster of like-minded brands investing into the ever-strengthening women’s football economic ecosystem,” stated Shay Segev, CEO, DAZN Group. “What EA SPORTS is doing to advance the women’s game is game-changing, and we look forward to activating this new partnership to collectively reach and engage millions more fans around the globe and inspire the next generation along the way.”
