The FC Pro Open Cups are back, with EA SPORTS FC elevating this season’s tournaments to new heights. With an added pathway to the FC Pro World Championship Play-Ins in Summer 2025, this season promises more intense competition and higher stakes than ever before.
Key Dates for the 2024/25 FC Pro Open Cups
This season’s Open Cups span three main events across November 2024, December 2024, and January 2025, each featuring a ladder competition followed by playoffs.
- November Cup: Ladder (Nov 5-11) | Playoffs (Nov 16 & 17)
- December Cup: Ladder (Dec 1-9) | Playoffs (Dec 14 & 15)
- January Cup: Ladder (Jan 5-13) | Playoffs (Jan 18 & 19)
Structure: Ladder and Playoffs
Each Open Cup begins with a Regional Ladder Tournament, where competitors start on equal footing, earning points in single-leg matches with extra time and penalties if necessary. Over a week, players can compete in as many matches as they like, needing a minimum of 20 games to qualify for the playoffs.
The top-ranked players in each region will advance to the Playoffs, the next step in this high-stakes esports competition.
Regions and Player Slots
- Africa: 64
- Asia North & South: 32 each
- Europe East & West: 256 each
- LATAM North: 64
- LATAM South: 256
- Middle East: 256
- North America: 64
- Oceania: 32
With such a wide regional distribution, the FC Pro Open Cups offer a platform for players worldwide to showcase their skills on the road to the world championship.
Playoffs Format
The playoffs consist of two stages: a Swiss-system format on Day 1, followed by single-elimination matches on Day 2.
- Swiss-System (Day 1): Competitors are seeded according to their ladder performance and face off in one-leg matches. Players are eliminated from the tournament after three losses.
- Single-Elimination (Day 2): Based on Day 1 results, competitors move into two-leg matches, with winners advancing to determine the champions.
Scoring and Points Accumulation
Throughout the three tournaments, players accumulate Circuit Points, which determine who advances to the FC Pro World Championship. Points are awarded as follows:
- Swiss-System Wins: 15 points per win
- Single-Elimination Placement: 1st place receives 400 points, 2nd place 300, with points decreasing down to 50 for the top 64 finishers.
Prize Pool
The total prize pool is $321,000, awarded based on regional performance and final placements:
- Top Prizes by Region:
- Europe East & West: $8,500 for 1st place
- LATAM North/South, Middle East, North America: $5,000 for 1st
- Africa, Asia North/South, Oceania: $3,000 for 1st
This season’s tournament setup offers competitive gameplay, substantial rewards, and a clear path to the World Championship for top players.
EA SPORTS FC’s Expanding Esports Influence
The rapid growth of EA SPORTS FC as a global esports powerhouse has spurred increased audience engagement, with the competitive intensity reaching new heights. This surge in popularity has even influenced other industries, particularly sports betting.
Sportsbooks are now integrating esports APIs, allowing them to offer real-time EA FC statistics. This update enables sportsbooks to provide quicker, more precise data, keeping up with the fast-paced esports environment.
How to Watch
Catch the action on November 2-3, 2024, as 64 elite players compete in the FC Pro Open Global Qualifier. Matches will stream live on the EA SPORTS FC PRO YouTube and Twitch channels. Fans can earn viewership rewards, including FUT items, by tuning in.
Regional Broadcast Times:
- North America: New York (12 PM), California (9 AM)
- South America: Buenos Aires (1 PM), Bogota (11 AM)
- Europe: UK (4 PM), Paris (5 PM)
- Asia/Oceania: Hong Kong (12 AM), Sydney (3 AM)
- Africa: Lagos (5 PM), Johannesburg (6 PM)
- Middle East: Riyadh (7 PM), Dubai (8 PM)
The FC Pro Open Cups have arrived, delivering intense matchups and high-stakes competition. Don’t miss the opportunity to see top players clash as they vie for a coveted spot in the World Championship.
