FIFA have released their most recent financial statement, and it shows that the governing body has made more money through sales and licensing of video games than through the physical sport being played on grounds due to the ongoing pandemic situation that has prevented fans from entering stadiums completely.
Income worth £114.4 million has been recorded by FIFA, and there are hopes that the 2022 World Cup will help the finances significantly since fans will be expected to attend the event next year, considering that the threat to their health is reduced drastically, if not completely eliminated.
FIFA’s newfound major income stream is unlikely to dry up anytime soon, with video games only rising in popularity over the last few years. This has been increasingly so due to the rise of streaming as a profitable business for those who have the means to go about it.
While the video game might not be perfect (far from it), it still manages to get the attention of the masses, which is all that the companies would want to hope for. Football manager is also another platform through which FIFA attracts heavy revenue through licensing royalties.
Here is what FIFA had to say regarding the revenue generated from video games: “Besides the FIFA eClub World Cup, the FIFA eChallenger Series and the FIFA eNations StayAndPlay Friendlies, FIFA also successfully launched the FIFA eContinental Cup.
“In addition, 2020 saw the introduction of FIFAe, a new esports tournament brand designed to create a substantial stage for players, clubs and nations.”
