October 30 – AS Monaco have extended their partnership with Strikerz Inc., the developer of the online football game UFL, until 2026 as the club looks to sink its teeth into the eSports market.
Through the partnership, the UFL developer will integrate AS Monaco into its free-to-play online football game, set to release on December 5, with early access set to open in late November.
In return, UFL will benefit from visibility on AS Monaco’s social networks and regular broadcasts on the club’s Twitch channel, including online matches against players from the Esports section- a rapidly growing market in the football sector which the club appear keen to dip their toes into.
Speaking when the two entities first partnered up in 2021, Oleg Petrov, vice-president and CEO of AS Monaco, said: “We are delighted to partner with Strikerz Inc. and to be present on UFL, an innovative video game that will allow us to increase our visibility on online platforms. AS Monaco is pleased to support UFL in this new adventure, which confirms the Club’s desire to develop its digital image, in line with its Esports activities.”
Since then, the club has returned to the UEFA Champions League and has witnessed a positive trajectory both on and off the pitch.
UFL marks the latest in a long line of football simulation competitors to EA Sports’ FC25 throne, though nobody has made a real mark in the established franchise’s dominance in that particular market, even after its split from FIFA name licensing rights in 2023.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1732186409labto1732186409ofdlr1732186409owedi1732186409sni@g1732186409niwe.1732186409yrrah1732186409