eChampions League 2022/23 Finals: All you need to know

Now in its fifth season, the eChampions League, presented by PlayStation, brings together the finest EA SPORTS FIFA 23 players from all around Europe to compete for a place at the eCL Finals in Istanbul, Türkiye, and a share of the $281,000 prize pool.

A field of 1024 top-ranking entries from across the continent began this competition almost seven months ago. Just eight remain as the Finals begin on 7 June, three days before the city hosts the UEFA Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan on Saturday 10 June.

Where and when are the eChampions League Finals?

The eChampions League Finals will take place at ESA Espor Arena in Istanbul on 7 June 2023.

Eight competitors remain from the 32 that reached the Knockout Stage – four in the Upper Bracket, four in the Lower Bracket:

Upper Bracket semi-finals:

Emre Yilmaz (NED, Team Gullit) vs Umut (GER, RBLZ GAMING)

HezerS (ITA, AC Monza Team eSports) vs Obrun2002 (ITA, exeed)

Lower Bracket Round 5:

Anders Vejrgang (DEN, RBLZ GAMING) vs KeturDylo (FRA, LDLC OL)

Daniel7 (GER, HSV eSports) vs Neat (ESP, DUX Gaming)

The competition format is a continuation of the double elimination bracket that began in the Knockout Stage – read on for more details.

Route to the eChampions League Finals

The 2022/23 eChampions League was open to the top Europe-based PlayStation 5 players in FUT Division Rivals game mode in EA SPORTS FIFA 23 at the end of the first season, which ended 11 November 2022. A total of 1024 players joined the Online Qualifiers, with 64 making it through to the Group Stage, 32 to the Knockout Stage and the remaining eight in the Finals.

During the Online Qualifiers, held on 25-26 November 2022, the top 1024 registered EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Global Series players competed in groups of 256 across four continental regions:

• West: France, Iceland, Ireland, United Kingdom
• Iberia & Benelux: Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain
• Germany & Austria
• Nordics & East: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine

Online Qualifiers were contested in a Swiss format, with the top 16 players per region (64 in total) advancing to the eCL Group Stage. The competitors were then split into two groups of 32, forming two new regions:

• Western Europe: West, Iberia & Benelux
• Central & Eastern Europe: Germany & Austria, Nordics & East

Like the Online Qualifiers, the Group Stage was played in a Swiss format, with the advancing 32 competitors earning a return ticket to the Here East Theatre in London for the Knockout Stage on 22-23 April 2023.

The Knockout Stage has been played in a double elimination format, with the two-day competition reducing the 32-strong field to eight – pausing the competition at the mid-point of both the Upper Bracket and Lower Bracket. Both draws will resume at the Finals.

What is the format for the eChampions League?

The eChampions League is part of the EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Global Series. For the competition’s Official Rules, see here. 

1. Group Stage: Swiss Format

More streamlined than a league format, and more forgiving than a straight elimination bracket, the Swiss format allows a large number of players to prove themselves over a series of matches without playing every opponent in the competition, following the below rules:

• Each of the 32 players per regional group play up to five matches, with 16 players from each group advancing to the Knockout Stage
• In each of the five match rounds, players are drawn against an opponent with the same win-loss record
• Players are not drawn twice against the same opponent
• Players who win three matches advance to the Knockout Stage
• Players are immediately eliminated from the tournament following their third defeat

2. Knockout Stage and Finals: double elimination

Following the Group Stage, the 32 players to advance entered a double elimination bracket that extends across both the Knockout Stage in London in April, and the Finals in Istanbul in June.

Double elimination competitions feature two knockout brackets playing in parallel that ensure players are only eliminated after suffering two defeats.

• All 32 players begin in the Upper Bracket
• Players were seeded based on their finishing position in the Group Stage
• Players beaten in the Upper Bracket enter the corresponding round of the Lower Bracket
• Defeat in the Lower Bracket means elimination

Three rounds of matches confirmed the four-player line-up for the Upper Bracket Semi-final, while four rounds of the Lower Bracket confirmed the 4-player line-up for the Lower Bracket Round 5. Both Brackets will resume at the eCL Finals.

The winners of the Upper Bracket and Lower Bracket will contest the eChampions League Grand Final, with the winner crowned 2023 eChampions League champion.

Who are the previous eChampions League winners?

2019: Chris - Christopher Holly (USA, New York City FC)
2020*: event not held due to COVID-19
2021: OliverPN - Oliver Provstgaard (DEN, unattached)
2022: nicolas99fc - Nicolas Villalba (ARG, Guild Esports)
2023: TBC

*2020 eChampions League Invitational event won by Tekkz (Donovan Hunt, GBR, Fnatic)

Nicolas nicolas99fc Villalba was the only former eChampions League winner to compete in the 2022/23 event. The Argentinian's bid to become the first player to win a second eChampions League title ended in the Knockout Stage, where he was beaten 3-2 in the final round of the Upper Bracket by Emre Yilmaz of Team Gullit, before losing 5-4 after extra time against RBLZ GAMING’s Andres Vejrgang in the final round of the Lower Bracket.

Donovan Tekkz Hunt, winner of the 2020 eChampions League Invitational, also reached the Knockout Stage. The Fnatic player lost 4-2 to Umut Gültekin of RBLZ GAMING in the Upper Bracket, and was later eliminated in the final round of the Lower Bracket, losing 2-1 to HSV eSports’ Daniel Daniel7 Dwelk.

What are the prizes?

In addition to the coveted eChampions League trophy, players will compete for their share of over $281,000 in prize money.

Both the eCL winner and runner-up will qualify for the EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Global Series Play-offs, while the beaten semi-finalists qualify for the EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Global Series Play-ins, which precede the Play-offs. The top 24 players in the Play-offs qualify for the FIFAe World Cup 2023.

Where can I watch the eChampions League Finals?

The events will be streamed live on Twitch, UEFA's YouTube channel and UEFA Champions League TikTok, as well as broadcast by several UCL media partners around the globe.

For EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Global Series Official Rules, see here.

Can I attend the event?

You can get tickets for the Finals in Istanbul here.