Major League Soccer and EA Sports have added DC United, Atlanta United, and FC Cincinnati to the eMLS esports division for the 2019 season, strengthening and expanding their partnership across the league.

In addition to the three new teams, there will also be a new eMLS League Series played along with the eMLS All-Star Challenge and the eMLS Cup. All events will be played on PlayStation 4.

In January 2019, the first part of the League Series will be hosted by LA Galaxy, and the second part will be hosted by FC Dallas in February.

James Ruth, Senior Director of Properties and Events at MLS, said: “The eMLS League Series presented by PlayStation and the rest of our 2019 programming will push us closer to our goal of blurring the lines between traditional and digital soccer, while further elevating eMLS in the global FIFA competitive gaming community.”

???? Game on. United are set to join #eMLS, MLS' competitive @EASPORTSFIFA league.

Read | https://t.co/Eh1LLtPeF2 pic.twitter.com/WlQsxMIp5f

— D.C. United (@dcunited) November 19, 2018

Brent Koning, FIFA Competitive Gaming Commissioner at EA Sports, added: “The eMLS is an accelerant to growing fandom in North America through the increasing connection between virtual and real-world soccer.
“Our partnership with the MLS and the 22 eMLS clubs elevates competitive FIFA through the power of sports and esports, and provides an engaging platform to attract new fans, sponsors and partners to the game.”

As esports grow in popularity, more teams have been partnering with gaming companies to take part in the leagues and competitions. Perhaps Los Angeles FC and Real Salt Lake – the last remaining MLS teams who don’t have representation in esports – will join the ranks soon.