Virtual Bundesliga: FC Bayern Munich is looking for players for EA Sports FC 24

FC Bayern Munich is looking for EA Sports FC 24 players for the Virtual Bundesliga 2023/24 on a specially set up website (Image: FC Bayern Munich AG)

The san die instead of Mia san Mia: Out of consideration for the sponsor Konami, the premiere of FC Bayern Munich in the Virtual Bundesliga 2023/24 is not Bayern-like at all.

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The constellation is piquant: In June 2022, FC Bayern Munich extended the platinum partnership with the Japanese game manufacturer Konami Digital Entertainment as “official video game partner”.Part of the deal: eFootball developers access to all current players, “so that they can be the only video game company in the world to faithfully recreate all the elements required for production.”

Marketing Director Andreas Jung spoke of a partnership in this context “of great importance”.The platinum partners include brands such as HypoVereinsbank, SAP and Paulaner, some of which have been working with FC Bayern for decades.

Almost parallel to the extension of the Konami contract, the German Football League (DFL) declared the Virtual Bundesliga (VBL) as an official competition – and thus condemned all Bundesliga clubs to compete with their own e-sports team from the 2023/24 season.As a result, the previous ‘abstainers’ Borussia Dortmund, SC Freiburg and FC Bayern have to build their own VBL team.

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The hook: So far, the Virtual Bundesliga has only FIFA practiced by Konami competitor Electronic Arts – starting this fall, the competition will be based on EA Sports FC 24.The participation of FC Bayern Munich in the Virtual Bundesliga upgrades the direct competitor product to its own platinum partner – which would be like Kimmich, Musiala and Gnabry for BMW, Puma and Vodafone instead of Audi, Adidas and advertise telecom.

This mixed situation explains why FC Bayern is planning the Virtual Bundesliga at the same levelthat’s not at all dem we are who we are-Corresponds to the self-image of the record champions.Because from today (Wednesday, August 2nd) on a specially set up website outside of the official club appearance wanted for VBL playerswho compete as part of a three-man esports team in the red and white jersey: Five qualifying tournaments will take place up to and including August 13 – the eight finalists will play against each other on August 19.

Gamepad skill is just one of many factors. Further requirements: identification with the club and its values, a minimum age of 18 years, main residence in Germany, Austria or Switzerland and “time flexibility” between November 2023 and April 2024, i.e. during the matches of the Virtual Bundesliga Club Championship.The media appearance also plays a role in the evaluation.

That the selection based on FIFA 23 takes place and the future FC Bayern esports players will be able to access the PlayStation 5 version of EA Sports FC 24 retrain, will in the tender not mentioned with a syllable.This not entirely unimportant hint only appears in FAQ on.The tender was also not advertised in a press release or on social media – one reason why hundreds of places in the qualifying tournaments are still unoccupied.

Bayern obviously don’t have any great ambitions: Because the e-sports trio only gets an employment contract for 8 hours per week – which will hardly be enough for professional training at a competitive level.Also, one “appropriate financial compensation” intended.And: The candidates must be willing and able to travel regularly to the FC Bayern Munich office on Säbener Straße in Munich – because that’s where a large part of the Virtual Bundesliga games are played.

Like FC Bayern Munich meanwhile on media inquiries confirmed has, the Allianz Arena is not in with a view to the Konami cooperation EA Sports FC 24 contain.

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