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.
1. Play in December’s 12 Online Tournaments
A total of 12 tournaments run across December.
You may enter as many tournaments as you want.
Each event gives you another chance to score points and climb the leaderboard.
More tournaments played = more chances to earn points.
2. Earn Points Based on Your Finish
Every tournament awards points to top performers.
Here is the official scoring breakdown
1st Place: 100 points
2nd Place: 75 points
3rd Place: 50 points
4th Place: 25 points
5th–8th Place: 10 points
All points from all tournaments stack cumulatively through the month.
3. Climb the Cumulative Leaderboard
Every point you earn adds to your overall December total.
The leaderboard updates as tournaments conclude.
You can play again and again to keep improving your standing.
4. Finish Inside the Top 30
At the end of the 12-tournament series:
✔️ The Top 30 players with the most cumulative points
✔️ Become eligible for selection to compete in the 2026 eMLS Championship.
This is the official qualification path for emerging EA SPORTS FC™️ competitors across North America.
5. Why Qualify?
Pathway to the Global Stage** - The 2026 eMLS Championship is:
Part of the official EA SPORTS FC Pro competitive pathway
A stepping stone toward the FC Pro World Championship
A chance to compete for a $100,000 prize pool
An opportunity to join the region’s top competitors representing MLS clubs
6. How to Register
Players can view the full event calendar and register for tournaments through the eMLS Gaming Hub on Rival.
Summary (Player Snapshot)
12 tournaments.
Enter as many as you want.
Earn points each time you finish in the Top 8.
Points stack across all December tournaments.
Top 30 total points = eligible for the 2026 eMLS Championship.
WEEK 1
Tuesday 12/2 — Tournament 1
Thursday 12/4 — Tournament 2
Saturday 12/6 — Tournament 3
WEEK 2
Tuesday 12/9 — Tournament 4
Thursday 12/11 — Tournament 5
Saturday 12/13 — Tournament 6
WEEK 3
Tuesday 12/16 — Tournament 7
Thursday 12/18 — Tournament 8
Saturday 12/20 — Tournament 9
WEEK 4
Tuesday 12/23 — Tournament 10
Friday 12/26* — Tournament 11
Saturday 12/27 — Tournament 12
