EA Teams Up with MLS for Post-FIFA Future

Electronic Arts’ signature soccer game will no longer bear the FIFA name in the near future, but it will still enjoy participation from nearly every major soccer league across the globe.

Most recently, the company extended its partnership with MLS, which has worked with EA since 1999.

EA and FIFA ended their long-term licensing agreement this year, meaning September’s “FIFA 23” will be the last EA title to carry the governing body’s name for now. The following game in the series will be titled “EA Sports F.C.”

• In addition to MLS, EA has agreements with over 300 partners, including the Premier League, Bundesliga, and Serie A. 
• The deals cover more than 700 teams and 19,000 athletes.
• Earlier this month, EA struck a deal to become La Liga’s title sponsor, replacing Spanish bank Santander.

“There are a good chunk of La Liga fans that are fans because they play FIFA, and not necessarily because they watch games on the weekends,” La Liga North America CEO Boris Gartner told Front Office Sports.

Women’s Soccer Gets in the Game

“FIFA 23” will be the first EA title with women’s teams, including the top-flight English and French leagues, Barclays FA Women’s Super League and Division 1 Arkema.

The NWSL and Frauen-Bundesliga have been rumored to be part of the game as well, but neither league has been announced as of Tuesday.