Man City team up with European esports organization to join Gfinity’s Elite Series
Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City have inked a partnership with Belgian based Epsilon eSports, teaming up for the Gfinity Elite Series 4.
Man City are one of the top sports clubs in the world who have shown significant interest in esports, particularly FIFA, being one of the first Premier League clubs to recruit a professional FIFA player.
Now though they are taking the next step, partnering up with an professional organization in Epsilon, and entering the Gfinity Elite Series, one of FIFA’s most prestigious league tournaments.
Man City’s already established FIFA roster will combine with Epsilon’s to form half of their overall team, with the remaining players selected from the upcoming ‘Elite Draft’, before competition commences on October 26.
The partnership comes closely after the recent announcement from the Premier League of the upcoming ‘ePremier League’, which will involve all 20 EPL teams, and is also organized by Gfinity.
Perhaps Epsilon’s involvement with Man City will also include the management of the Club’s efforts in the ePremier League, when it begins in 2019.
We’re teaming up with @Epsilon_eSports to take part in @Gfinity #EliteSeries Season 4 on #FIFA19 https://t.co/hIaCcmvcYk
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 11, 2018
The CMO at City Football Group, Nuria Tarre, said that their partnership with Epsilon “provides a very exciting opportunity for us to continue our digital expansion” and is part of their plan to remain “dedicated to growing our presence within esports.”
Epsilon CEO Gregory Champagne confirmed that the roster would wear “the renowned sky blue jersey of Manchester City esports”, while Epsilon provides the support and management that only a professional esports organization can.
Man City also invested in the Chinese FIFA League earlier in 2018, a market they are trying to expand into, as the City Football Group is part owned by Chinese firms China Media Capital and CITIC Capital.
Source: Man City