EA Sports has secured the licenses for the Champions League, the Europa League, and the UEFA Super Cup for FIFA 19. These competitions take center stage in FIFA 19 – they are more than just additional licenses.
The Champions League arrives in FIFA 19: FIFA fans had to wait a long time for the Champions League and the Europa League, as the rights were exclusively held by Pro Evolution Soccer in recent years. However, as announced a few months ago, UEFA ended this partnership with Konami. Shortly thereafter, EA Sports revealed to the delight of many fans: The two top UEFA European Cup competitions will be playable in FIFA 19.
The new licenses are intended to be more than just “more licenses among many”; instead, EA Sports has big plans for them. We spoke with Samuel Rivera, the gameplay producer of FIFA, about the Champions League and the Europa League and how they will be integrated into FIFA 19.
What do the Champions League and Europa League mean for FIFA 19?
More than just additional licenses: Rivera introduced us to the two European competitions in FIFA 19 and presented in-game footage. He emphasized that the Champions League and the Europa League are not just new licenses that have been inserted into the game. Instead, they shape this year’s FIFA installment and are present almost everywhere in FIFA 19. Consequently, the motto this year is also: “FIFA 19 – Champions Rise”.
Game modes with the Champions League
In which modes can I play the Champions League in FIFA 19? EA Sports claims that the “legendary tournament […] will be integrated into all FIFA 19 modes.” The following modes have already been confirmed:
- A new standalone UEFA Champions League mode
- A comprehensive integration into the kickoff mode
- A comprehensive integration into career mode
- In FUT 19, there will be live content for the Champions League
- And in the third and final part of the story mode called “The Journey: Champions”, you will also compete for the Champions League title.
What does the standalone Champions League mode in FIFA 19 look like? In this mode, you can either replay the “real” Champions League season 18/19 – from the group stage to the final at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid. Or you can create your own Champions League season, leading all available European teams to the title.
Europa League game modes
What about the Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup? We know that the Europa League will be playable in the kickoff mode and in career mode, and it will also feature live content in FUT 19. Whether it will also be possible to play the Europa League in The Journey is uncertain. We do not have detailed information about the Super Cup – but it is licensed as well.
What is the UEFA Super Cup actually? The UEFA Super Cup is contested in a match between the current Champions League winner and the Europa League winner.
By the way: Rivera could not confirm that the European Cup competitions will also be playable in the “Pro Clubs” mode.
The “Champions League” atmosphere can be felt
The Champions League up close: In FIFA 19, the atmosphere of the Champions League is to be depicted accurately, so fans can look forward to these features:
- Official CL match presentation used in the 18/19 season
- Official Champions League anthem
- Official team crests, match balls, and UEFA trophies
- New camera perspectives in the intro when the teams line up
- New English commentary team with Derek Rae and Lee Dixon – in the German version, it is Wolff-Christoph Fuss and Frank Buschmann
Additionally, the menus are designed in the corresponding colors of the Champions League and the Europa League.
Tom says: We at Mein-MMO have been able to play FIFA 19 and get a little feel of the Champions League atmosphere. And yes, as soon as the CL anthem sounds and the camera captures the silver trophy, the Champions League spirit indeed comes alive. However, the game presentation was still a “work in progress”, leading to a bug that caused the teams’ kits to flicker unsightly as they entered the stadium – which significantly affected the atmosphere. However, Samuel Rivera promised us that this will be fixed by the release of FIFA 19.
I believe that the Champions League will definitely be an enhancement for the football simulation. Thus, FIFA 19 brings even more of real football to the virtual pitch.
FIFA 19 will be released on September 28, 2018. The Champions League, the Europa League, and the Super Cup will be available on PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
