July 18 – Bayern Munich have signed a multi-year partnership with EA Sports FC that will see Bayern’s identity — past, present, and future —recreated in EA Sports FC’s virtual football experience. That includes the Allianz Arena, rendered in full detail to deliver a matchday atmosphere “as intense as the real thing”.
EA have more than 750 clubs, 120 stadiums, and over 300 licensed partners in their collaborative arsenal, with Bayern now fully embedded in what EA describes as the most immersive and authentic football platform ever developed.
At the heart of the collaboration is Jamal Musiala, who will be featured on the cover of flagship title FC 26 alongside Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, set for release in September.
The news follows Musiala’s horror injury in Bayern’s Club World Cup quarter-final tie versus PSG – a leg break and dislocated ankle which will see him ruled out for the majority of the coming season before it has even begun.
That aside, the partnership will go beyond just the men’s game. Bayern’s women’s team will also feature prominently in EA Sports FC moving forward — a key milestone in pushing greater visibility and parity across the sport’s digital frontiers. EA Sports’ inclusion of female players in the highly-popular ‘Ultimate Team’ mode has hugely helped with visibility and exposure for the top stars in women’s football – though the company is too modest to admit that.
EA Sports FC’s growing ecosystem already includes the Ultimate Team, Career Mode, and online seasons, with deeper club integration expected to give each mode a distinct FC Bayern themed makeover should the player wish.
As football’s digital footprint continues to expand — especially among Gen Z and emerging global markets — partnerships like this position top-tier clubs like Bayern to stay at the forefront of fan engagement, media innovation, and global brand development.
Michael Diederich, Executive Vice Chairman of FC Bayern: “Passion, commitment and emotion are the hallmarks of football, both on the pitch and in the virtual world – and the gaming community is growing with every move. We at FC Bayern are all excited to share these attributes with our new partner EA SPORTS FC. Together, we want to further expand our interaction with the next generation of football fans: on the pitch and on the game console.”
James Taylor, Director of Football Partnerships at EA SPORTS, said: “As one of the most iconic clubs in world football – with a legacy of excellence, a global fanbase, and an unmatched influence on the sport – FC Bayern München represents the very best of the game. It’s a privilege to bring their story, players, and passion to life for millions of fans in EA Sports FC 26 and beyond.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1752851261labto1752851261ofdlr1752851261owedi1752851261sni@g1752851261niwe.1752851261yrrah1752851261
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