FIFA 19 eSports – PlayStation 4 Global Series Playoffs Preview
THE FACTS
When? July 12th - July 14th
Where? Berlin, Germany
Where can I stream the tournament? The entire competition can be streamed on EA Sports’ official Twitch, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook channels. You can watch this below:
Can I follow the tournament on Twitter? Updates will be provided on the EA Sports official Twitter page and also the competitive EA Sports Twitter page which focuses specifically on FIFA eSports. Also be sure to search the hashtags #FIFAeWorldCup and #GlobalSeriesPlayoffs as well as looking up ‘Global Series Playoffs’ in the Twitter search bar. Don’t forget to follow your favourite players competing in the tournament, along with their respective clubs/organisations who are likely to provide real time updates on their progress.
THE LOWDOWN
Tournament Format
The FIFA 19 PS4 Global Series Playoffs will be contested by 64 players on the PlayStation 4. These 64 players will all compete in a seven round Swiss-style single group stage format that leads into a knockout bracket. Of the 64 players, half of them will progress from the group stages into the round of 16, from which they will contest a single elimination bracket that will leave the two players remaining facing off in the grand final.
Are there rules regarding what teams/players can be used for the tournament?
Each game will be played in the FIFA Ultimate Team mode, with each player free to use their own UT in the competition.
Who will be competing in the tournament?
A total of 60 players around the globe have qualified for the PS4 Global Series Playoffs through the accumulation of Global Series Points over the FIFA eSports season in Global Series licensed tournaments. An extra four players have been invited through their performances on the FIFA Online 4 game. You can find a complete list of players who will be appearing in Berlin on the official EA Sports graphic below.
What prizes are up for grabs?
Up for grabs for the 64 competing players is not only a cash pool of $250,000, but also the final distribution of FIFA Global Series points, with more points up for the grabs the higher you place at the tournament. These points will see them rise up the PS4 FIFA Global Series Rankings leaderboard. Following the conclusion of the tournament, the 16 players with the most amount of overall Global Series points accumulated through the season and the PS4 Global Series Playoffs will official qualify for the FIFA eWorld Cup. The total amount of prize money and Global Series points awarded for each finishing position at the PS4 Global Series Playoffs is below:
Winner - $75,000 + 1800 GSP
Runner-up - $35,000 + 1080 GSP
3rd -4th - $20,000 + 720 GSP
5th-8th - $10,000 + 540 GSP
9th-16th - $3,500 + 350 GSP
17th-32nd - $1,000 + 275 GSP
33rd-64th - $500 + 200 GSP
THE PLAYERS
After an enthralling three days in Hamburg, the FIFA 19 Global Series Playoffs moves from Xbox One to PlayStation 4 this weekend as the final 16 players to compete at the FIFA eWorld Cup are decided in Berlin.
The PS4 Global Series Playoffs will see this season’s FIFA eClub World Cup winner take to the stage. FC Basel’s Nicolas99fc won last year’s PS4 Global Series Playoffs in Amsterdam and the Argentinian will enter the competition as the favourite to win and repeat that feat. With his spot at the FIFA eWorld Cup safely secure, Nicolas can relax and look to take the competition apart with his defensively ruthless game.
— nicolas99fc (@Nicolas99fc) June 20, 2019
Finishing hot on Nicolas’ heels on the PS4 Global Series Rankings leaderboard was this year’s e-Ligue 1 and FIFA eNations Cup champion. Maestro of Team Vitality has been arguably the top FIFA 19 performer since April, winning both domestic and major titles. These wins have moved the Frenchman up to the second in the rankings and, like Nicolas, frees him up to perform with little pressure on his shoulders knowing his spot at the FIFA eWorld Cup is guaranteed.
Vitality x Stade de France @TeamVitality @StadeFrance #GenerationEsport #VForVictory 🐝 pic.twitter.com/n3BS5S7sRw
— Vitality Maestro (@Maestro99_) June 21, 2019
Making a welcome returning to offline action after a two-month break is the 2018 FIFA eWorld Cup runner-up, Stefano Pinna. The former PSV star had a blistering first few months of the season, winning the Gfinity FIFA Series February and posting a list of high tournament placements to seal his place in the playoffs early on. The Belgian eDevil decided to take an extended break from the game due to personal reasons and it remains to be seen whether such a long period of absence will have an effect on his offline performances.
Going in to the play-offs in the 3rd place. Can’t wait to compete again on the highest stage after a break of 2 months 🙌🏻🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/WUzeakTqKK
— StefanoPinna97 (@stefanopinna97) June 4, 2019
THE PREDICTION
While the PS4 Global Series Playoffs may not contain the top stars such as F2Tekkz and Msdossary, the depth of competition looks significantly stronger. This makes each game from the group stages to the knockout rounds exciting and the overall winner very tough to call.
After a break in action, we’re excited to see Stefano Pinna back on the big stage. The Belgian has proved his class numerous times in the tightest of matches and has the experience to match his results. With that in mind, we’re tipping Stefano Pinna to return to action in the grandest manner, by winning the FIFA 19 PS4 Global Series Playoffs.
Click here for a full breakdown of the road to the FIFA eWorld Cup 2019
