EA Creates $10 Million Fund for Community Football

EA has revealed a new investment plan called EA Sports FC Futures, an initiative to invest in community football around the world. The publisher has set aside $10 million to invest in different projects over the next three years, with the first of those unveiled today in London. The ‘Rocky and Wrighty Arena’ at Turnham Academy in South London was opened today, named for Ian Wright and David Rocastle. Turnham Academy is where both footballers attended school. EA partnered with Football Foundation, the FA, and the UK government.

EA Sports has long been a significant player in the football video game space, having created popular titles such as FIFA and Madden. The company is renowned for producing some of the most captivating sports simulations on the market.

With FC Futures, however, EA Sports is taking its involvement in football to a whole new level.

EA SPORTS has agreed to a multi-year partnership with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to further support community level football through consultancy from UEFA Grassroots Football Coaches and investment in UEFA Grassroots football initiatives.

“We are excited to partner with EA SPORTS and their EA SPORTS FC FUTURES programme,” said Frank K. Ludolph, Head of Technical Development at UEFA. “Through our team of UEFA technical education experts, we will work hand-in-hand with our long-term partner, EA SPORTS, to enhance our support for the grassroots game. This partnership is an exciting opportunity for UEFA’s Grassroots Programme to provide an innovative access to modern and customised training materials for the benefit of the next generation of grassroots players and fans.”

Ian Wright, alongside world-renowned Chelsea Women’s Manager Emma Hayes are the first FC FUTURES ambassadors who will work with EA SPORTS to provide further support for grassroots football.

“I’m delighted to be an ambassador for EA SPORTS FC FUTURES,” said Ian Wright. “This is where football starts, right here in our communities and investing in the game is a crucial step toward advancing global football. That starts with providing kids access to much-needed facilities in order for them to be able to play as much as possible in safe, local spaces. I’m grateful my old school can play a part in the future of football, and it’s an honour to be involved.”

“Growing up in London, I was always looking for a way to get onto the pitch,” said Emma Hayes. “I’m ecstatic that women and underrepresented talent are getting the resources many of us didn’t. FC FUTURES is a fantastic way to provide opportunities for the next generation of fans to explore and further their passion for football, and it makes me proud to be an FC FUTURES ambassador. I believe that investments like this have the power to change lives.”

EA Sports has stated that the FC Futures program will concentrate on funding grassroots football initiatives globally. The program will include initiatives such as assisting local football clubs, enhancing facilities, and generating new prospects for people to engage with the sport.

The primary objective is to promote the growth of football and increase accessibility to the sport for individuals, irrespective of their background or location.