If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.

FIFA 10

Barcelona gearing up to host FIFA Interactive World Cup grand final on May 1st.

Guildford, UK., Switzerland, 21 April 2010: With over 775,000 people having taken part, the world’s biggest virtual football event, the FIFA Interactive World Cup (FIWC), is set to reach its dramatic climax at the Grand Final in Port Olympic, Barcelona on 1st May. Following months of heated online competition and qualifying events around the world, just 32 players from 22 countries remain. The finalists will go head-to-head in Barcelona with EA SPORTS™ FIFA 10 on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system for the title of FIFA Interactive World Champion 2010. Hoping to defend his crown is reigning champion Bruce Grannec from France, who is facing an incredibly strong field including a number of previous Grand Finalists such as FIWC 2008 winner Alfonso Ramos.

Spectators at the Grand Final on 1st May will enjoy an action packed day of football, gaming and top music action in a fantastic party atmosphere. In addition to watching the FIFA Interactive World Cup Grand Final unfold live, they can check out all the latest EA and PlayStation games in the interactive arenas and test their real-life football skills at the FIFA beach soccer clinic with Spain’s beach soccer star Amarelle. There will also be exclusive live DJ set from Groove Armada’s Andy Cato.

The 2010 Grand Final winner will receive a cheque for $20,000 along with an invitation to join the world’s elite football talent at the FIFA World Player Gala 2010 in Zurich to receive their official FIWC champion’s award. The 2010 runner up will receive $5,000 whilst 3rd place will receive $1,000.

“I am delighted to see the huge interest of fans from all over the world in this event, which keeps growing every year”, said FIFA Executive Committee member Chuck Blazer, who will attend the Grand Final in Barcelona. “I enjoyed last year’s final very much and I am looking forward to watching the best interactive players in the world face off once again to be crowned the FIFA Interactive World Champion of 2010”, he added.

“With over 775,000 participants we have set a new record for the FIWC 2010 which will culminate in the exciting Grand Final in Barcelona. This amazing number of gamers highlights the importance of the FIWC for football fans worldwide,” said Jon Rosenblatt, Senior Marketing Director Europe EA SPORTS. “FIFA 10 has proven to be the best football video game ever and it’s great to see so many players from all over the world competing on the PlayStation Network and in the Live Qualifiers to become the FIWC 2010 Champion on May 1st.”

“The FIFA Interactive World Cup continues to go from strength to strength, growing each year at an enormous rate,” said Darren Carter, Vice President, Consumer Marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. “To have had over 775,000 participants clearly shows the passion of both the EA SPORTS FIFA 10 and the PlayStation fans. I have no doubt that it is going to be the best final yet and we look forward to welcoming everyone to Barcelona in May.”

Admission to the Grand Final is free to the public. Media are requested to pre-register at the FIFA Media Channel - http://media.fifa.com

Interactive Areas open at midday. Gaming Tournament kicks off at 1pm, the final is scheduled for 5:30pm.

To find out more about the FIFA Interactive World Cup and view a list of the 32 Grand Finalists please visit www.FIFA.com/FIWC

For images of FIWC 2009 winner Bruce Grannec receiving his award at the FIFA World Player of the Year Gala, please visit: http://media.FIFA.com

####

For further information please contact:

Electronic Arts

Maik Matischak ( mmatischak@ea.com) Tel: +41 22 316 1317

SCEE

Nick Caplin ( nick_caplin@scee.net)

Tel: + 44 207 859 5301(5349) Fax: + 44 207 859 5036

FIFA

FIFA Media Department

Tel.: +41-43/222 7272

Fax: +41-43/222 7373

E-mail: media@fifa.org

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EATM, EA SPORTSTM, EA Mobile TM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2009, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.2 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.easports.co.uk. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at www.easports.co.uk/press.

EA, EA SPORTS, EA Mobile and POGO are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc.. FIFA 10 is an official licensed product. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), based in London, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and sales of PLAYSTATION®3, PlayStation®2,PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) and PlayStation®Network software and hardware in 99 territories across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania. SCEE also develops, publishes, markets and distributes entertainment software for these formats, and manages the third party licensing programs for the formats in these territories. Since the launch of PLAYSTATION 3 in November 2006, over 14.4 million units have been sold globally and continue to be sold at a record level. Maintaining its position as one of the most successful consumer electronic products in history, PlayStation 2 has sold over 131.3 million systems worldwide. Since its launch at the end of 2004, over 41.3 million PSPs have been sold globally, highlighting the importance of the portable entertainment market. With the huge increase in interest and accessibility of network applications and network gaming, over 10 million people have registered to the PlayStation Network, the free-to-access interactive environment, and 200 million items have been downloaded.

More information about PlayStation products can be found at www.playstation.com or visit the Virtual Press Office at www.scee.presscentre.com.

PlayStation, PLAYSTATION, PSP and the PlayStation logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

About FIFA

For more than 100 years, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, founded on 21 May 1904 in Paris and better known as FIFA, has continued to provide the essential leadership role to the international football family. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, the eighth FIFA President, Joseph S. Blatter guides the organisation today with a commitment to the evolution of FIFA as a modern and dynamic association. The basis of the world’s football family is formed by FIFA’s members. From the founding seven, the family has today grown to 208 affiliated football associations, also organised into six confederations spanning the globe.

FIFA’s worldwide activities go well beyond its various competitions, such as the world’s biggest single-sport event, the FIFA World Cup™. In football development projects such as the FIFA GOAL Programme as well as in corporate social responsibility activities (including the Football for Hope movement to support through football social and human development) FIFA makes material, financial and promotional contributions to develop the game and make the world a better place. For the Game. For the World. To find out more about FIFA and its initiatives please check out www.FIFA.com.

Author
GamesIndustry International avatar

GamesIndustry International

Contributor

GamesIndustry International is the world's leading games industry website, incorporating GamesIndustry.biz and IndustryGamers.com.