Competitive gaming and Esports have taken the world by storm, with the industry having grown exponentially in recent years. The Football Association of Ireland have partnered with Virgin Media for this year's ELOI, eNational Team and a newly launched EFAI Cup to help further progress and expand the FAI's Esports programmes.
There are over two million gamers in Ireland, and it is estimated that there are nearly 700,000 Esports fans, and the FAI have recognised this. Therefore they have created a new online tournament in partnership with Virgin Media to add to their two existing Esports Programmes.
League of Ireland Director, Mark Scanlon spoke at the partnership announcement today, where he said
We’re delighted to announce Virgin Media as title sponsor with the FAI and it is great to have such a well-known and innovative brand as title sponsor of the ELOI.
The ELOI has a huge role for us to play in the growth of the League of Ireland’s fanbase with the newer generation and last year’s tournament was a great way to kick off the new brand.
As such, the ELOI will now be known as the Virgin Media ELOI.
New Esports tournament created for Irish gamers
The new tournament brought to Irish gamers this year by the FAI Esports programme, titled the EFAI Cup will be a two-week online tournament event in January which will turn into an in-person final four showdown one week after the tournament ends.
The tournament will be open to all levels to enter, however participants must be over 16 and be based in the Republic of Ireland.
Registration for the tournament will open in December.
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Speaking on the addition of the EFAI cup and the new partnership between the FAI and Virgin Media, Commercial Director of the FAI Sean Kavanagh said:
This is an exciting partnership for the FAI to have such a brilliant brand to be the title sponsor for our electronic games programmes. This is an exciting area for us to grow and has huge potential for both ourselves and Virgin Media.
The addition of the EFAI Cup will give the wider public a great opportunity to get involved in the games and having Virgin Media alongside us will help us amplify this as well as the Virgin Media ELOI and ENational Team for the FAI to an even wider audience.
The other tournament a part of the FAI's Esports programme include the renamed 'Virgin Media ELOI' which will run from February to April 2024 and will feature all 20 men’s League of Ireland clubs, competing in a group format with the top two teams progressing to the live final.
The winner of the Virgin Media ELOI will earn a place in the eChampions League Group Stage and a Play-Off place for the FC Pro World Championship.
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Virgin Media was officially announced as the title partner of the Football Association of Ireland's ESports programme today, December 5th over a two-year agreement. Throughout the two-year agreement, Virgin Media will be giving title sponsorship of the three Esports programmes.
Speaking about the exciting partnership between the FAI and Virgin Media, Vice President of Commercial at Virgin Media Paul Higgins said:
Virgin Media recognises the growth of gaming and esports in Ireland and we know many of our customers come to Virgin Media so they can experience the most reliable and best broadband for their gameplay.
This important strategic partnership with the FAI is an opportunity for Virgin Media to continue to support the gaming community in Ireland so the right infrastructure is in place for Irish gamers to play and compete.
We are excited to partner with the FAI’s esports programme that is committed to engaging and supporting gamers at a grass root and national level. This partnership is an extension of our gaming partnerships with the likes of Esports organisation WYLDE.
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