Football Manager has captivated football fans for years, offering them the chance to manage their favorite teams and experience the thrills of a real manager’s role. Since its inception as the successor to Championship Manager in the 90s, this game has become a staple for football lovers, allowing them to shape entire seasons alone or with friends.
As the series grows in popularity—especially with its recent editions ranking among Steam’s Top 20 games—Football Manager’s fanbase is as dedicated as ever. Football Manager 2024 has seen its player base soar to over 12 million, marking a 97% increase from the previous year. Despite decades of development, the franchise is still exploring new ventures—and perhaps surprisingly, eSports might be one of them.
Could Football Manager Be the Next Big eSport?
Football Manager allows players to control everything from player transfers to in-game tactics and team selection; however, its unpredictability is challenging for eSports. Every team is managed differently, with countless variables making it difficult to determine the best player. Much like other wagering pursuits like premium casino slots online, the game’s randomness complicates finding a clear competitive format.
In August, the FIFAe World Cup introduced a groundbreaking concept: turning Football Manager into a competitive eSport while staying true to its roots. The event in Liverpool gathered 40 participants from 19 nations to compete for a $100,000 prize pool, hoping to set the stage for a new eSport format.
The Road to Competitive Football Manager
The competition was divided into two key phases: the Group Stage and Playoffs. The Group Stage focused on Football Manager’s career mode while the Playoffs introduced the draft feature. Players were split into teams representing football clubs over three simulated seasons, having to earn points based on performance in leagues, cups and challenges.
The highest-scoring manager advanced to the playoffs and won a visit to the club they represented; clubs like Brighton, Sporting CP, Dinamo Zagreb and Yokohama F. Marinos were among those assigned by FIFAe and Sports Interactive. The playoffs, in traditional eSports format, saw the top four managers clash. Indonesia’s team, led by Ichsan Taufiq and Manar Hidayat, emerged victorious.
Creating a Unique eSport Experience
The FIFAe World Cup featuring Football Manager was viewed as an experiment, with community involvement playing a large role. Viewers could watch live streams from the managers, with creative elements like a "red zone" broadcast providing real-time commentary and updates. The event gradually became more polished, with traditional eSports elements like a studio, analysts and appearances from football icons John Terry and Sam Allardyce.
This marked a shift where the action moved from single-player experiences to PvP matchups with drafted teams. The blend of fan engagement and professional insight made it clear that Football Manager could bring something fresh to the eSports scene.
eSports Viewership: Challenges and Opportunities
Despite the excitement, Football Manager’s transition to eSports faces challenges. The FIFAe World Cup peaked at 25,000 viewers—with 142,404 hours watched across 52 hours of broadcast time—numbers lower than past FIFAe events. Still, as the first large-scale Football Manager eSports tournament, reactions from the loyal community were mostly positive.
The key question remains: can Football Manager become a core eSport? Although some argue its randomness limits competitive play, others note that professional competitions—like poker—also combine skill and chance. With the right format and audience engagement, Football Manager could carve out its own niche in the eSports landscape.
The Future of Football Manager in eSports
The future of Football Manager as an eSport depends on whether FIFAe and Sports Interactive continue investing in the format. Sports Interactive has expressed interest in evaluating the tournament’s success before committing to further events. This event marks a shift for the game, with developers more open to exploring competitive possibilities.
Previously, Football Manager eSports existed mainly in smaller, community-driven tournaments like the Streamer Showdown. However, with FIFA expanding football eSports to include games like Football Manager, the growth potential is clear. FIFA has even included football eSports in its official statutes, giving competitions the same recognition as futsal or beach soccer. This provides a foundation for future Football Manager events, allowing member associations to create their own local competitions.