November 22 – Her Game Too has partnered with EA Sports to launch an initiative aimed at introducing women and girls to live football matches for the first time.
As part of the First Time Fans programme, groups of women and girls who have not previously attended a live match will be invited to experience games across the Premier League, English Football League, and Women’s Super League. EA Sports will sponsor the tickets, while Her Game Too Ambassadors will host the attendees, ensuring a welcoming and inclusive experience.
The inaugural event will take place at Brentford’s GTech Community Stadium on Saturday, as the Bees face Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Additionally, EA Sports FC 25 players will have the option to select a special Her Game Too kit for their in-game teams, underlining EA Sports’ “commitment to promoting women in football and fostering greater inclusion within the sport”.
Since departing from FIFA licensing in 2023, EA Sports has leaned in heavily to get women’s football on the esports map, even at the cost of lower sales.
Since female players were added into the game’s ‘Ultimate Team’ mode, meaning that players could use male and female players in the same team for the first time, statistics show a steady decrease in copies sold. EA Sports final game using the FIFA brand, FIFA 23, sold 2.39 million copies in the UK compared to FC24, EA’s first standalone title, which tallied 2.25 million. The company’s newest release, FC25, has sold slightly lower again (4.6% decrease).
Jenny Schofield, Social Impact Lead at EA SPORTS FC, said: “As long-standing champions of the women’s game, we are thrilled to partner with Her Game Too and their First Time Fans programme to provide the opportunity and access for female fans to be introduced to live football for the first time, and to feel confident and safe to attend Premier League, EFL and WSL football games.
“Through our valued football partners in the UK, we have access to match tickets and we want to ensure that we are maximising their usage by offering tickets to fans who may not feel comfortable or welcome to attend football games otherwise,” she continued.
“EA SPORTS FC is committed to being changemakers for the future of women’s football, both on the virtual and real pitch.
“We similarly recognise the importance of growing the women’s game off the field and we hope that through this partnership we can make a real impact on the future of football fandom.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734936827labto1734936827ofdlr1734936827owedi1734936827sni@g1734936827niwe.1734936827yrrah1734936827