FIFA Revenues – FIFA E-Gaming Shines: This piece of news will surprise sports marketing companies, sports federations and the entire sports business fraternity. In accordance with the growing trend world over, FIFA E-Gaming Revenues outstripped FIFA’s traditional football revenues in Year 2020. FIFA last year has generated more revenue from video gaming than from football. FIFA which operates, the FIFA eClub World Cup, the FIFA eChallenger Series and the FIFA eNations StayAndPlay Friendlies, and now the FIFA eContinental Cup – generated $158.9 million of its total revenue of $266.5 million from FIFA e gaming.
The governing body’s newly-published 2020 financial statements show that $158.9 million of its $266.5 million in total revenue for the year came from licensing rights of FIFA gaming.
FIFA explained: “A key source of revenue in the licensing rights area was brand licensing for video games.
“In contrast to the many economic sectors that were drastically affected by COVID-19, the video game industry proved far more resilient to the pandemic.”
FIFA Revenues: Video gaming revenues for FIFA more than traditional football revenues in 2020
Nevertheless, this might very well be the first instance in history of a traditional sports governing body generating more in a year from video games than the underlying physical activity. FIFA which has a partnership with EA Sports for FIFA E GAME launched FIFA eContinental Cup in 2020 besides already operating FIFA eChallenger Series and the FIFA eNations StayAndPlay Friendlies, FIFA also successfully launched the FIFA eContinental Cup.
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“In addition, 2020 saw the introduction of FIFAe, a new esports tournament brand designed to create a substantial stage for players, clubs and nations.”
The growing importance of this licensing revenue to the football body does much to explain why FIFA President Gianni Infantino was chosen, alongside Jean-Christophe Rolland, his World Rowing counterpart, to present a segment on encouraging the development of virtual sports and further engaging with video gaming communities at the recent International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session.
Infantino spoke of “seizing the opportunities of a changing landscape of technology, society and sport”, while emphasising how FIFA and other International Federations had “accelerated our investment and focus on virtual forms of our sports to engage with young people.”
FIFA Revenues for YEAR 2020 – Some salient points
– Due to Covid-19 related cancellation, disruption expense more than revenue at $1.04 billion
– Despite of Covid, FIFA spent $470.6 million going on development and education.
– $270.5 million was attributable to FIFA’s COVID relief plan
– FIFA incurred hefty $778 million loss before taxes and financial income in FY2020
