New Partnership - MLS
Rival is powering the eMLS Championship Open Qualifiers
NEW YORK — Tuesday, November 25th, 2025 — Major League Soccer (MLS) and Rival today announced the launch of the eMLS Championship Open Qualifiers, a new month-long competitive pathway designed to identify the top 30 EA SPORTS FC™️ 26 players in North America ahead of the 2026 eMLS Championship on the road to the EA SPORTS FC Pro World Championship.
Beginning December 1, the Open Qualifiers will feature 12 online EA SPORTS FC 26 tournaments accessible to eligible EA SPORTS FC™️ 26 players across North America. Competitors may enter any number of events throughout the month, earning points based on their placement in each tournament. At the conclusion of the series, cumulative point totals will determine the top 30 players, who will become eligible for selection to compete in the 2026 eMLS Championship, Major League Soccer’s official esports competition.
The 2026 eMLS Championship will once again serve as a key stop along the official EA SPORTS FC Pro pathway in North America, offering players the opportunity to progress toward the global FC Pro World Championship and compete for a $100,000 prize pool.
Players can access the full qualifier schedule and register through the eMLS Gaming Hub on Rival.
About the eMLS Championship
The eMLS Championship is Major League Soccer’s premier EA SPORTS FC™️ esports competition, bringing together top competitors representing MLS clubs and emerging talent from across North America. As part of the EA SPORTS FC Pro ecosystem, eMLS provides players with a clear pathway from open competition to the global stage.
About EA SPORTS FC Pro
EA SPORTS FC Pro is the professional competitive league of EA SPORTS FC™️, featuring more than 50,000 players worldwide. The league culminates in the FC Pro World Championship, where the world’s top competitors compete for major prizing and recognition as the best EA SPORTS FC™️ player of the season.
How to Qualify for the Top 30
Overview
Throughout December, MLS and Rival will host 12 online EA SPORTS FC™️ 26 tournaments.
Your goal: earn points, play as often as you want, and finish the month inside the Top 30 on the cumulative leaderboard.
The Top 30 points-earners in December become eligible for selection to compete in the 2026 eMLS Championship, part of the EA SPORTS FC Pro pathway leading toward the FC Pro World Championship.