Konami & Arsenal Extend Partnership, Offering In-Game Rewards & Continued Stadium Representation
London, UK – August 9, 2024 – In a meaningful announcement for football gaming fans, Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. and Arsenal Football Club have confirmed the extension of their official partnership. The renewed agreement ensures Arsenal will remain a prominent feature in eFootball™, offering players immersive experiences including a detailed recreation of Emirates Stadium and access to the club’s players.
This continuation of the collaboration, initially established several years ago, solidifies eFootball™‘s position as a key platform for experiencing the world of Arsenal Football Club. As part of the deal,Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard has been appointed as a club ambassador,and players can currently claim a special “Highlight Card” featuring Ødegaard and an exclusive avatar within eFootball™ from August 7th to August 13th.
Beyond in-game content, the partnership grants Konami exclusive rights related to Arsenal, including player image usage for promotional activities, and the continued use of the club’s logo and branding within eFootball™. This extends to the eFootball™ Championship, where Arsenal has played a key role since 2022, offering fans both virtual and real-world engagement opportunities, such as events held at Emirates Stadium.
“we are proud to expand the cooperation with this outstanding club,” stated Shinji Namekawa, President of Konami digital Entertainment BV in Europe.”Arsenal club shows excellence both inside and off the field.And we are excited to continue traveling together. Our determination is continued to develop and upgrade the eFootball™ game, and continuing this partner is the clear indicator of those efforts.”
Juliet Slot, Chief Commercial Officer at Arsenal Football Club, echoed this sentiment, saying, “We are very proud of [our] long cooperation with Konami and we are excited to start a new chapter of traveling together. The length of this collaboration reinforces our shared value in innovation and work processes. And we are happy to make Arsenal be an significant part of the game for many years in the future.”
Context & Background:
The partnership between Konami and Arsenal dates back to 2018, initially under the Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) banner before the game rebranded as eFootball™ in 2021. This collaboration is part of a broader strategy by Konami to secure partnerships with top-tier football clubs to enhance the realism and appeal of eFootball™.
eFootball™ is a free-to-play digital football game available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC (Steam). The game focuses on a realistic football experience, with a strong emphasis on player data and tactical gameplay.Konami has been actively updating eFootball™ with new content and features as its launch, aiming to compete with other popular football gaming franchises like EA Sports FC.
key Takeaways:
Extended Partnership: Konami and Arsenal have renewed their official partnership.
In-Game Rewards: Players can obtain a Martin Ødegaard Highlight Card and avatar in eFootball™ until August 13th.
Emirates Stadium: Arsenal’s home stadium remains a fully-featured location within the game.
Exclusive Rights: Konami retains exclusive rights to use Arsenal’s branding and player likenesses.
eFootball™ Championship: Arsenal continues to be a key participant in the annual eFootball™ Championship*.