EA Sports Unveils Global Investment Plan to Grow Community Football
April 21, 2023
Leading digital interactive entertainment company EA Sports has unveiled "FC FUTURES", a plan to meaningfully invest in community-level football on a global scale. This follows the reveal of its new brand vision for the interactive future of football, EA Sports FC. The project intends to move outside the virtual to provide $10 million globally across multiple grassroots football projects to grow the game.
Over the next three years, the video game developer which has “defined interactive football” for 30 years will partner with multiple football organizations and icons around the world to inspire the next generation of young football fans and players. The program will support local football clubs, improve facilities and establish new opportunities for people to engage in the sport.
The initiative looks to advance the growth of football and increase and expand its accessibility to everyone, regardless of their background. “EA Sports FC is a symbol for a positive future of football and that future will be built on providing young people with the access and tools necessary to follow their dreams,” said David Jackson, VP of Brand Marketing at EA Sports. “We are looking forward to partnering with football organisations and icons across the globe to inspire the next generation of young football fans and grow their love of the game.”
The project's first activation took place on April 11 when EA Sports unveiled the ‘Rocky and Wrighty Arena’ at Turnham Academy in South London in partnership with the FA, the UK Government and Football Foundation – the charity of the Premier League. The pitch was opened by England football legend Ian Wright at his former primary school. It was also in tribute to his teammate David Rocastle who passed away in 2001 and also attended Turnham Academy. The pair honed their football skills on the former concrete pitches of the school before going on to play alongside each other for Arsenal FC. The wider community will also have access to the pitch to provide a safe and inclusive place for all to visit all year round.
“It’s going to make such a difference to so many kids in the area I grew up in. We used to spend hours kicking a ball about and now these kids have a proper pitch to play on,” said Wright who is an FC FUTURES ambassador alongside Chelsea FC Women’s Manager, Emma Hayes. “This is where football starts, right here in our communities and investing in the game is a crucial step toward advancing global football. That starts with providing kids access to much-needed facilities in order for them to be able to play as much as possible in safe, local spaces. I’m grateful my old school can play a part in the future of football, and it’s an honor to be involved.”
In addition to providing community access to football by creating and refurbishing pitches, FC FUTURES will invest in essential grassroots training equipment and build a publicly available library of training practices that will be accessible in five languages. Released later this year, the library intends to upskill young players and community coaches.
EA Sports has also agreed to a multi-year partnership with UEFA to further support community-level football through consultancy from UEFA Grassroots Football Coaches and investment in UEFA Grassroots football initiatives.