EA SPORTS FC™ and LALIGA come together with vision to build the future of football in Spain

Today, Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) launched its FC FUTURES programme in Spain alongside partner LALIGA and FC FUTURES ambassador Fernando Morientes at the Francisco de Laguna pitch in Vallecas. With the inauguration of this refurbished pitch in the south of Madrid, young footballers in the area now have additional access to begin realising their dreams on the pitch.

EA SPORTS, in collaboration with LALIGA, will invest in community-level football by providing balls, bibs, cones and other essential football equipment, with more than 10,000 balls going to schools and academies across Spain. The LALIGA FOUNDATION will match EA SPORTS’ commitment by providing equipment to more than 100 local schools and academies that are part of its Futura Afición project, as well as camps with children at risk of social exclusion and international projects such as those in the refugee camps of Zaatari and Azraq (Jordan).

The Francisco de Laguna pitch was refurbished with the creative support of Boa Mistura, a local art collective known for its installations in public spaces which aim to improve quality of life through art. Blurring the lines between real and virtual football, the refurbished pitch will be available in-game, launching later this year.

The event was hosted by commentator Miguel Ángel Román and attended by James Salmon, Senior Director, Brand at EA SPORTS FC, Olga de la Fuente, President of the LALIGA Foundation and Fernando Morientes, FC FUTURES and LALIGA ambassador. As part of LALIGA’s Futura Afición project, children from Colegio Santa María La Blanca and the NGO Dragones de Lavapiés were treated to a training session with the former Real Madrid and Liverpool striker, where they learned tricks and tips to give their all on the pitch and develop their skills.

"EA SPORTS FC is investing in the future of football, a future that involves giving young people the tools they need to make a positive impact on the game and pursue their dreams," said James Salmon, Senior Director, Brand at EA SPORTS. "Our vision is to inspire the world to love football and our mission is to provide greater access to sport. Our partnership with LALIGA is another step towards this”.

"For LALIGA this is a first step in our joint mission to drive the future of football, and in channelling the power of football for social transformation. Our partnership with EA SPORTS FC is a natural one, as we share the same values and vision for the future. These values are enhanced in the collaboration within this project, as the synergies will help to promote training projects such as LALIGA Academy, and also CSR projects such as Futura Afición or international sports projects set up at Zaatari or Azraq refugee camps," says Óscar Mayo, executive director of LALIGA.

In addition to the initiatives in Spain, EA SPORTS is developing a free-to-access library of training practices as part of its broader global FC FUTURES programme. The training practices will be produced in six languages, for young players and coaches in the community to consult online and use in their training plans. In Spain, these training practices will include voiceovers from one of the world's most famous ex-footballers and FC FUTURES ambassador, Morientes.

As leaders in global football, EA SPORTS and LALIGA are committed to promoting education, training and opportunity beyond Spain and will be awarding 20 scholarships for young footballers from countries such as Tanzania, Malawi, Nigeria, Poland and India, combining football and education at LALIGA Academy Madrid.

EA SPORTS has defined interactive football for 30 years and has built a global football community of more than 150 million people across multiple platforms, a community that EA SPORTS FC will now continue to expand alongside partners who share the common goal of a fan-centric football future. Built on a foundation of inclusion and innovation, fans will experience unrivalled authenticity with access to over 19,000 fully licensed players, 700 teams and 30 leagues, supported by over 300 global football partners enabling further expansion into new areas around women's and grassroots football.

Fans can sign up at easports.com/fc to join the Club and be among the first to receive more information.

For more information about EA SPORTS FC FUTURES, please click here.