Electronic Arts (EA Sports FC) and the Deutsche Fußball-Liga (DFL) have reached an agreement for an early extension of the exclusive Bundesliga license, ensuring that the 1st and 2nd Bundesliga continue to be featured in the market-leading EA Sports football simulation until at least 2027, including EA Sports FC 28. This collaboration includes teams, players, venues, and laws, with only a few outliers, like the Munich Allianz Arena. The DFL, as the licensor, and Electronic Arts, as the licensee, have reached a deal that allows the US-based gaming business to exclusively represent the top two German football leagues in PC, console, and mobile games.
EA Sports will retain its position as the sole game developer permitted to fully represent the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga in various gaming platforms. Additionally, EA Sports will continue as the official “Presenting Partner” for the prestigious awards, “Player of the Month” and “Player of the Season.”
The future collaboration between the two companies includes the organisation of the E-Sport format Virtual Bundesliga (VBL), which has been held since 2012. Due to a DFL rule change, even long-time non-participants such as FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are now required to enter their own teams into the competition.
EA Sports FC 24 has been a huge success in Germany, selling over 600,000 copies since its September 2023 debut, making it the best-selling PC and console game in the country. In preparation for the UEFA European Championship, a free update is scheduled to include national teams, players, and locations. EA Sports FC 25 will be available in the autumn as a regular release.
Steffen Merkel, DFL Co-Managing Director, stated, “Year after year, EA Sports releases a premium football simulation that captivates fans worldwide. EA Sports FC deepens the connection between millions of fans and their favorite players and clubs from the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga, which are integral parts of the video game series. The longevity of the partnership since 1998 underscores the strong shared conviction behind the collaboration, which has steadily and successfully evolved.”
Marc Lenz, DFL Co-Managing Director, emphasized, “The cooperation with EA Sports is more than a licensing partnership – it holds high strategic significance. Our core goal is to reach young fans and find new ways to engage them with the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga. EA Sports FC is a successful part of this strategy, as the licensing partnership and the Virtual Bundesliga enhance the visibility of our leagues and clubs.”
Peer Naubert, Chief Marketing Officer of DFL subsidiary Bundesliga International, stated that “the contract extension confirms the positive development of our global licencing and sponsorship partnerships, emphasising the global appeal of the Bundesliga brand and the significant growth it generates for the clubs.” For many years, our relationship with EA Sports has been marked by a high degree of trust and gratitude; we look forward to expanding our collaborative efforts in the years ahead.”
Cam Weber, EA Sports President, expressed, “Authenticity is a core element of the EA Sports Experience, and through our renewed partnership with the Deutsche Fußball Liga, we will bring strong competition and legendary clubs and teams from one of the world’s greatest football leagues closer to fans worldwide. The Bundesliga and the 2. Bundesliga are key to building an innovative and evolving football platform for fans, and we are excited that the DFL shares our vision for the future of football.”
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