Virtual World Cup; Online FC26 tournament coming to Simcoe County

A person holding a gaming controller. (Pexels/Yaroslav Shuraev)

Gamers aged 14 to 24 can now register online for their chance to participate in ‘Game On! Presents World Cup Esports Tournament.’

Hosted by entertainment company We Got Game, the event is open residents of Barrie, Oro-Medonte, Orillia, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Collingwood, Innisfil, Tiny Township and Penetanguishene.

Participants will to go head to head in a series of online matches of the soccer simulation game EA Sports FC26.

Players under the age of 18 require parental consent to participate.

According to the City of Barrie, the tournament is intended for players who are familiar with playing FC26 online and using discord.

Tournament rules dictate a 96 player limit per municipality. Qualifying matches will be played online from May 29 to June 1. Players must have a PlayStation 5 console, Xbox Series X console or a personal computer to participate in the qualifying matches.

The top players from each community will earn a sport at the in person finals held the Five Points Theatre in Barrie on June 26, where the players will be teamed up with another participant from their municipality and compete in a two on two format. The finals matches will be played exclusively on PlayStation 5.

There will be limited in person viewing space for the finals, but those hoping to spectate can tune watch virtually.

For more information on registration, visit the City of Barrie website.