The second edition of the ePremier League China underscores the strategic push by Western esports and football organisations to engage with the vast mobile esports market in China. EA FC and the Premier League have partnered to launch the competition, with its grand finals scheduled for 10-11 January 2026 in Shanghai. Following a successful debut in 2021, this year’s activation aims to deliver an engaging experience to millions of fans, bridging world-class football with China’s thriving gaming culture through FC Mobile.

The tournament format is designed to maximise local engagement. It began with nationwide Online Qualifiers in December 2025 to find the top FC Mobile talent. The top 128 players then competed across three rounds to determine 20 elite players, each earning the right to represent one of the 20 Premier League clubs at the offline finals. In a distinctive twist blending professional skill with community influence, each qualified player will be paired with a Chinese KOL (Key Opinion Leader) or influencer from the gaming and sports sectors for the Shanghai finale.

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The event will be hosted at Jintie City Square in Shanghai. The 20 teams, using customised line-ups based on official Premier League squads, will compete in a series of matches to crown a champion. “It’s anticipated to deliver an engaging experience that combines strategic depth with entertainment value through tactical and operational gameplay,” state the organisers. Fans can attend for free and experience various Premier League and EA FC activations, with the action being live-streamed across major Chinese platforms including Migu, Douyu, Bilibili, and Weibo.

This initiative highlights the continued efforts by Western rights holders to establish a foothold in China’s dominant mobile gaming landscape. The Chinese esports market has a heavy presence of mobile titles, and partnerships like this represent a direct channel to a massive, engaged audience. The ePremier League China model, which integrates local KOLs to amplify reach, reflects a growing understanding of the region’s unique digital ecosystem.

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