A groundbreaking free-to-play, card-based soccer simulation game, Matchday Champions, has officially launched in early access globally, backed by football legend Lionel Messi’s Play Time fund. The game, developed by Matchday, promises a unique experience for the five billion football fans worldwide.
To celebrate the launch, Matchday Champions is hosting a limited-time in-game tournament called the Copa Alexia x Céline. This tournament features Spanish football World Cup champion Alexia Putellas and popular Belgian influencer Celine Dept, both of whom are inviting players to participate in a virtual showdown.
Putellas, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner and UEFA Women’s Player of the Year, expressed her excitement about the game, saying, “Matchday is elevating two things I am very passionate about: women’s football and inclusivity. The co-gender football squads represent the rise of women’s football in a fun way for fans.” She hopes this representation will inspire future stars and fuel discussions about equality in the sport.
The game allows players to collect, craft, and manage their own dream squads made up of both men’s and women’s players. More than two million users have already pre-registered for Matchday Champions, which is now available on iOS and Android devices.
Players can join the Copa Alexia x Céline tournament, which began on September 20. Participants are challenged to align with either Team Alexia or Team Celine in a competition for prizes and bragging rights. With over 50 million followers across social media, Dept adds significant influence to the event.
Matchday Champions is officially licensed by FIFA and FIFPRO, providing fans access to a vast library of digital player cards featuring tens of thousands of soccer athletes. Players begin by assembling their squads, which they can upgrade immediately. The game employs a proprietary simulation engine that delivers unique narratives for each match, ensuring that no two games are ever the same.
Sebastien de Halleux, co-founder and chief gaming officer of Matchday, highlighted the emotional connection fans have with football. “Football is an emotional experience for its five billion fans worldwide, and now they will be able to experience the drama of the sport in a video game that seamlessly simulates matches based on real players and stats,” he said.
The game also fosters community engagement, allowing players to compete against each other, move up divisions, and grow their clubs. An intuitive interface makes it easy to set up custom squads, and players can buy, sell, and share cards with friends. Matchday Champions also includes single-player modes, friendly matches, and league competitions, encouraging interaction with the vibrant global community.
In a pioneering move, Matchday Champions introduces digital ownership, enabling fans to collect, trade, and manage their own digital items. Players have true ownership of their cards, which can be used across the expanding Matchday ecosystem.
Previously, Matchday launched the trivia and match prediction game Matchday Challenge: FIFA Women’s World Cup AU∙NZ∙2023™ Edition, which attracted millions of players during the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
With the release of Matchday Champions, the developer aims to redefine the sports gaming landscape, merging football passion with innovative technology. To learn more, please visit matchday.com
