In a World Cup year, with soccer already the country’s most watched sport, Mzansi’s EA SPORTS FC™ 27 players get their own route from campus and console to a global stage
This is a FIFA World Cup year, and in a country where soccer is watched more closely than any other sport, that carries weight. Now Red Bull Wings Cup is giving local EA SPORTS FC™ 27 players their own shot at global glory. Running from 29 September to 1 November 2026, the competition gives South African gamers two ways in: the Open League, played online, and the University League, played out on campus. Both roads lead to the same place, a National Final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, and a shot at the Red Bull Wings Cup World Final in Miami.
A limited edition Red Bull can is the first step. Each one carries a QR code and a unique code under the tab, redeemable for 250 EA SPORTS FC™ 27 Season Points, an exclusive Red Bull Wings Cup Ultimate Team Kit, and a Red Bull Wings Cup Loan Player item, giving players a head start before the qualifiers even open.
TWO LEAGUES, ONE NATIONAL STAGE
The Open League starts online. Players compete in PlayStation Tournaments, going head to head in Ultimate Team 1 on 1 matches inside 32 player brackets, with a new bracket generated automatically as soon as one fills up. Every bracket winner advances to a closed qualifier hosted on FACEIT, a single elimination knockout that runs until only the country’s top 6 players remain. Alongside that bracket, Red Bull is also hosting two Wildcard qualifiers, giving two more players a direct route into the National Final.
The University League plays out differently: on campus, in person. Students compete in Rush mode, in fast 7 minute matches, at on campus activations through the qualifying window. Every result feeds a live national leaderboard, tracked by student marketeers on the ground, and the leaderboard’s top 8 punch their ticket to the National Final.
Together, the Open League’s top 6, the two Wildcard qualifiers, and the University League’s top 8, 16 players in total, meet offline at the South African National Final, set for 1 November 2026 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria. Full qualifier dates and how to enter are available at redbull.com/za-en/events/red-bull-wings-cup-south-africa-2026.
ON THE GROUND AT COMIC CON AFRICA
Before the online brackets even open, Red Bull Wings Cup touches down at Comic Con Africa, running from 24 to 27 September 2026 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec. Fans can walk up, pick up a controller, and get their first taste of the competition in person.
MZANSI’S ROUTE TO MIAMI
Win the national crown, and the prize is a place at the Red Bull Wings Cup World Final, expected in January 2027 in Miami. There, the format shifts. National champions from 80 countries combine their in-game skill with real-world football challenges, closing the gap between the console and the pitch, in a World Cup year that has already put football at the centre of the conversation.
“In a World Cup year, the football energy is already huge, so bringing that into the Red Bull Wings Cup is going to be special. It’s a great way to bring the EAFC community together, compete against the best and experience the Red Bull energy. With FC27 coming out, I’m excited for the new challenges and can’t wait to get my hands on it. Hopefully I can put on a good show and compete for the win,” says Zaid April, competitive EA FC player for Goliath Gaming and 2023 SAFA eCup champion.
EVENT DETAILS
Competition window: 29 September to 1 November 2026
Public appearance: Comic Con Africa, 24 to 27 September 2026, Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec
Qualifier format: Open League (online, PlayStation Tournaments and FACEIT, top 6 advance, plus 2 Wildcard qualifier spots) and University League (on campus, Rush mode leaderboard, top 8 advance), 16 players total reach the National Final
National Final: 1 November 2026, Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
World Final: Expected January 2027, Miami
Game: EA SPORTS FC™ 27
