Championship football side Queens Park Rangers have announced a new esports team.
They’ve teamed up with FIFA league provider Virtual Pro Gaming to move into competitive gaming.
Several gamers have already signed up to represent the R’s on the esports platform, which specialises in the 11-versus-11 mode Pro Clubs on FIFA 18.
Players include Wilco Jager, JCC and more.
Hugely excited to annouce I have signed with the first ever U.K. E-SPORTS Pro Clubs side @QPReSports! I will be representing them on our popular YouTube Series bringing you all the action. Chuffed – video updates to come!@QPRFC @OfficialVPG ?
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— JCC | Pro Clubs ? (@WoJCC) November 8, 2017
QPR are currently trialling for more positions – trials start tonight at around 6pm. Interested players can add Dellosa24 on PSN for more details.
Another live trial game will take place on Saturday November 11th at 7.45pm. There are more details on The Hoops’ esports Facebook page and Twitter page.
“Esports is very much at the forefront of our digital strategy going forward.”
Euan Inglis, QPR
Once the roster is complete, QPR will play on a regular basis, with one match a week streamed live via the club’s YouTube platform.
QPR Commercial Director Euan Inglis said in this announcement post: “We’re excited to be taking our first steps into esports with Virtual Pro Gaming.
“There is great scope for us to take this partnership with VPG from strength to strength over the coming seasons, with esports very much at the forefront of our digital strategy going forward.”
Alongside this, QPR owner Tony Fernandes – who is also group CEO of AirAsia – announced the AirAsia Allstars Esports Club earlier this year.
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
