Update (December 8th 2021): Tom Sorrell, 22, from Billericay, Essex, was ultimately crowned champion after defeating Lewis Blampey in the final, which was broadcast on Twitch.tv/GuildEsports and live to a sold-out crowd.
Tom said: “What an amazing experience to compete in front of so many people for the first time, and for Subway to provide such a delicious looking trophy. Hopefully, this is only the start of my FIFA Esports career!”
Original article (November 17th 2021): The finals of the Guild FIFA 22 Cup presented by Subway will take place in London’s Odeon Luxe West End this weekend, for FIFA players in the UK and Ireland.
The winner will be the first holder of ‘The Golden Sub’ trophy (pictured), designed by Hatton Garden-based mystery master-craftsman Johnny Hoxto. It’s been created from recycled and salvaged materials and the design captures the likeness of a Subway Footlong sandwich.
Guild’s new tournament will also feature a £1,800 prize pool and players will have the chance to catch the eye of Guild’s professional esports coaches and be scouted by the organisation. Anyone over the age of 16 can enter the tournament.
UK esports organisation Guild and sandwich restaurant chain Subway have also created a launch video starring some faces in FIFA 22 and esports including:
- Steve White (JaackMaate’s Happy Hour Podcast and Guild content creator)
- TN25 (Guild FIFA content creator)
- Pieface (FIFA content creator)
- Elz the Witch (content creator and presenter)
- Iain Chambers (radio, TV and Guild Esports presenter)
Guild’s content creators including Steve White and TN25 will also be supporting the tournament at the grand final along with Guild’s professional players.
Competitors who reach the live grand finale will also be joined by Pieface, Elz the Witch and Iain Chambers who will be calling all the action as the event’s hosts.
Michelle Tierney, CCO at Guild Esports, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Subway to create this incredible FIFA 22 tournament that offers everyone the chance to show off their skills and take home the grand prize, and what a prize it is.
“We hope ‘The Golden Sub’ trophy inspires people to get involved and enter the tournament – not just to bag an iconic piece of silverware, but to potentially catch the eye of our professional esports coaches. We’re always on the lookout for the best new talent.”
Mays Elansari, head of marketing for the UK and Ireland at Subway, added: “We’re incredibly excited to be partnering with Guild Esports to bring this FIFA 22 tournament, and unique winner’s trophy, to amateur players and fans across the UK and Ireland. What better way to celebrate and bring our iconic Footlong Sub to life than with a golden tribute… it’s definitely one for the mantlepiece.”
Johnny Hoxton, master jewellery-maker and creator of The Golden Sub trophy, commented: “Creating this trophy was a unique challenge. I’m most well known for custom jewellery so going big on something so unique and made from salvaged materials was a tonne of fun and an amazing moment to bring the iconic Subway Footlong to life in trophy form.
“I fancy myself as a bit of a talent on FIFA too, so I’m even tempted to enter to try and get my hands on the trophy for real!”
The Guild Academy launched earlier this year and Guild also recently moved into Apex Legends.
Sign ups for the Guild FIFA 22 Cup presented by Subway are open now, with qualifiers taking place on November 20th and 21st November. More information is available at guildfifa22cup.com.
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.
