EA Sports has announced a multi-year partnership with the European Football Clubs organization (EFC). According to GamesIndustry.biz, this partnership establishes a joint initiative that will aim to improve the financial resilience and visibility of smaller European teams. Effectively immediately, the partnership will grant €300,000 in annual community grants to support grassroots efforts across the continent.
Beyond licensing, this direct community investment will award three different clubs €100,000 each in community grants. The recipients of this grant will be announced soon at an EFC Club Connect event in Lisbon next March.
Expanding The European Portfolio
EA loves its licenses and partnerships, as seen with the renewal of the exclusive Madden back in October. The core idea behind the multi-year deal is to expand in-game inclusion, while helping out smaller teams as a bonus. This will open opportunities for more European clubs to be featured in FC 26. Allegedly, EFC members will be able to participate “irrespective of their size or gender.”
This sort of focus on community-led projects involves funding youth academy programs, infrastructure improvements for local organizations, health initiatives, and social outreach efforts. Sure, the size of the investment is relatively small for a gigantic company like EA, but at least it supports the impact of smaller clubs.
The official EFC website highlights some of the key aspects of this partnership:
- Grant: In March 2026, three EFC member clubs will receive a €100,000 grant to launch or grow a community project.
- Content Creation: Clubs can work with EA SPORTS FC to develop creative and engaging marketing content.
- Club Identity in Game: Crests, kits, and player likenesses appear authentically in-game.
Here’s the official statement from the EFC website:
“The EFC x EA SPORTS FC partnership brings together two leaders in football to create new opportunities for clubs, fans and communities. By combining EFC’s network of more than 800 Member Clubs with EA SPORTS FC’s global reach, the partnership supports the growth of the game on and off the pitch. It gives clubs fresh ways to connect with supporters, explore new revenue opportunities and take part in programmes that celebrate football’s impact.”
According to WNHub, EA FC 26 spokesperson James Salmon was excited to support more community and innovation, moving the sport forward both on and off the field. Regardless of your thoughts on EA or FC 26, it’s good to see that EA is adding some meaningful contributions to the community.
