FIFAe Festival: Bridging football and gaming to captivate digital audiences

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has unveiled a groundbreaking project that aims to reshape the future of digital football: the FIFAe Festival. Set to debut in 2026, this innovative event merges football, gaming, and entertainment into a global celebration of sports and digital culture, with follow-up editions already scheduled for 2027 and 2028.

A strategic vision for engaging younger generations

The initiative aligns with FIFA's Global Football Strategy 2023–2027, addressing the need to adapt its image and offerings for a hyperconnected, younger audience often drawn to platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok. The goal is to strengthen the bond between traditional football and digital culture while appealing to a demographic that is increasingly difficult to engage through conventional means.

With a global community of over six million fans already involved in FIFA's e-sports initiatives, the organization seeks to expand its reach by integrating immersive and interactive experiences. The FIFAe Festival is more than an event; it’s a strategic response to global trends such as the meteoric rise of gaming and shifting consumer expectations.

A festival beyond competitive gaming

Unlike traditional e-sports tournaments, which focus solely on player performance, the FIFAe Festival takes a broader approach. Alongside multi-game competitions, the event will feature live concerts, showcases for content creators, networking spaces for industry professionals, and interactive fan zones.

The aim is to create an environment where the boundaries between physical and virtual football dissolve, offering a hybrid experience that appeals to both traditional sports enthusiasts and gaming aficionados. FIFA envisions the festival as a cultural and technological hub, uniting diverse audiences through a shared passion.

Strategic calendar and host city opportunities

The bidding process to host the FIFAe Festival is open until October 31, 2025, with an initial expression of interest phase closing on September 12. This presents a valuable opportunity for cities aiming to position themselves as centers of sporting and digital innovation.

Hosting the event could yield significant economic benefits, including boosts to tourism, hospitality, and local employment. Additionally, it offers a global platform to showcase creative industries and elevate the international profile of host cities. Paris, Seoul, and São Paulo, known for their ties to innovation and sports, are among the leading contenders.

Competing on the global e-sports stage

Through the FIFAe Festival, FIFA aims to stake its claim in the competitive e-sports landscape, dominated by franchises like League of Legends and Fortnite. These events have drawn millions of viewers online and filled stadiums worldwide. In response, FIFA aspires to position digital football as a key player in this thriving sector.

By blending sports passion with digital innovation, the FIFAe Festival seeks to make football a central force in the gaming universe. It represents a step toward a future where the physical and virtual worlds converge seamlessly.

Immersive experiences for the next generation of fans

A defining feature of the FIFAe Festival is its commitment to delivering a multisensory, immersive experience. Incorporating live music, creative digital content, and professional opportunities, the event promises to be far more than a tournament. It aims to bring fans, professional players, and commercial partners together in an engaging and interactive setting.

For sponsors, the festival offers an ideal platform to connect with a young, engaged audience while aligning their brand with innovation, diversity, and connectivity. Fans, meanwhile, can expect to enjoy unique moments that combine the excitement of sport with the allure of digital immersion.

A bold vision for the future

The success of the FIFAe Festival will depend heavily on the selection of host cities and the engagement of partners. However, the initiative signals a profound transformation in the world of football. By embracing digital culture and meeting the expectations of new generations, FIFA is leading the way toward a redefinition of the sports experience.

The FIFAe Festival is not just an event—it’s a statement of intent. It represents a bold vision for the future of football, where real-world stadiums and virtual arenas resonate together, blending the traditions of the past with the innovations of tomorrow. For fans, players, and host cities, it’s a promise of a reimagined universal sport designed for the digital age.