Visitors play the soccer game FIFA18 while visiting the Gamescom 2017 video gaming trade fair on Aug. 22, 2017 in Cologne, Germany. (Photo by Lukas Schulze/Getty Images)
The inaugural FIFA eWorld Cup significantly improved on audience figures compared to its predecessor, the FIFA Interactive World Cup, according to both FIFA and EA Sports, the developer of the FIFA18 videogame. The 2018 Grand Final, held over three days in London at the beginning of August, generated more than 29 million online views, four times the numbers of the 2017 Interactive World Cup Final.
Out of an initial pool of more than 20 million people from 60 different countries, 32 players reached the Grand Final in London, and Mosaad ‘Msdossary’ Aldossary from Saudi Arabia walked away world champion, with a $250,000 prize.
“This year’s FIFA eWorld Cup Grand Final was an important milestone in the progress and continued professionalization of competitive FIFA gaming,” said Jean-Francois Pathy, FIFA director of marketing services, at the Grand Final. “Following the move to a new venue and a new format, the success of this year has underlined the unique opportunity that competitive FIFA gaming has to engage with new fans and audiences, as well as how it can support FIFA’s ongoing efforts to drive interest and develop football around the world.”
The Grand Final broadcast on Aug. 4 recorded an estimate concurrent viewership of 322,000 across 12 different digital platforms. It was also covered by 19 linear broadcasters, spanning more than 60 different territories.
“The power of real-world sports and eSports is a massive multiplier, and this year’s increase in online viewership is indicative of this power coming to life,” said Todd Sitrin, general manager and SVP of the competitive gaming division at EA Sports, in a statement announcing the engagement statistics. “We’ve dramatically accelerated the growth of competitive gaming through the EA SPORTS FIFA 18 Global Series and this year’s Grand Final, rallying the global football community together within this singular ecosystem that we know will only grow in the seasons to come.”
SportTechie Takeaway
Before this summer’s World Cup, streaming was expected to threaten linear broadcasting, and Telemundo was among the networks that broke streaming records during the tournament. Last week, FIFA touted its success in digital engagement at Russia 2018. The tournament did suffer from some problems with streaming, however, with Optus relinquishing its exclusive rights in Australia.
The FIFA eWorld Cup numbers are another indication of not only the growing success of esports, but of streaming, too.
