Inaugural FISU eSports Challenge is Now in Action

The inaugural 2020 FISU eSports Challenge Football takes place on the virtual pitch of FIFA 20, from 6-16 July. There will be 8 action-packed days with 32 male players and 12 female players battling it out in two separate tournaments. Players can select up to three FIFA 20 Icon players onto their team.

Citing keen interest in eSports among university students, FISU President Oleg Matytsin had earlier announced the International University Sport Federation’s foray into competitive gaming by saying, “With over 70 years leading the university sports movement, we move with cautious optimism into the eSports arena.” 

“Putting on this test project allows us to better gauge the global appeal of virtual sport among students.” 

The draw for this inaugural e-series will take place on 2 July and will be streamed live at 14:00 CEST. Group stage matches get underway from 6-8 July, followed by elimination matches. The quarterfinals, semifinals and finals will take place on successive days, with the men’s and women’s champions crowned on 16 July. 

The women’s field has strong representation from Asia; with Malaysia, India, China, UAE and Saudi Arabia in the fray. Familiar universities that are often seen competing at FISU events, such as Monash University from Australia and Universidad Nacional de La Matanza from Argentina are also in action.

In the men’s line up, Europe leads the field with nine players, representing universities such as University of Zagreb (CRO) and National University of Physical Education and Sport of Ukraine, among others. Asia is a close second with eight players. 

The selection was competitive, as certain nations and continents such as South Africa, Peru and Oceania organised full-fledged Qualifying Tournaments, either national or continental, specifically for the event. 

“We continue to see eSports' rapid growth among the youth and university students,” said FISU Vice-President Luciano Cabral. “As we venture into this new frontier, we walk softly to see whether eSports events can align with FISU’s values, rules and regulations in a way that enhances students’ university experience.” 

Matches will be streamed live, with English commentary,  on YouTube, Facebook, Twitch and FISU.TV twice per day, at 14:00 CEST (12:00 GMT) and 22:00 CEST (20:00 GMT). 

Schedules and results will be available here.