One of the world’s most famous clubs is returning to EA Sports’ FIFA games. EA announced today a “multi-year relationship” with Juventus that will see the Italian club return to the developer’s immensely successful soccer video games. The agreement will begin with FIFA 23, which will be released on September 30th. For the previous three years, Juventus had only been accessible in Konami’s rival franchise Pro Evolution Soccer.
The agreement goes beyond simply adding Juventus and its stadium and jerseys to the game; EA says the two will “operate across a number of lifestyle and cultural initiatives introducing new opportunities outside of football,” while Juventus says EA will become its “exclusive urban culture partner.” The highly dramatic reveal trailer above gives you a sense of what that might look like.
The news is especially significant for the future. Beginning in 2023, EA will abandon its long-term partner FIFA in favor of a newly branded franchise dubbed EA Sports FC. The agreement with Juventus appears to indicate that, despite the name change, the series will continue to feature the world’s most powerful clubs.
FIFA, for its part, says it will continue to collaborate with other developers on licensed games in the future. “I can tell you that the only authentic, real FIFA game will be the finest accessible for gamers and football enthusiasts,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino stated in May. “FIFA is the only globally unique title.” FIFA 23, FIFA 24, FIFA 25, and so on — the FIFA name remains consistent, and it will remain forever and the best.”
