Champions League gets esports version, $280,00 prize fund

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NYON, Switzerland (AP) — European soccer is starting an esports version of the Champions League with a $280,000 prize fund.

Electronic Arts Inc. and UEFA announced the creation of the eChampions League on Friday, a month after the English Premier League launched an ePL with the video game behemoth.

The UEFA competition will be restricted to PlayStation, which is owned by Champions League sponsor Sony. FIFA's eWorld Cup and the ePL also allow competitors to enter on Xbox, the rival console from Microsoft.

The winner of UEFA's esports final will earn $100,000 on May 31 in Madrid, a day before the Champions League final at Atletico Madrid's stadium in the Spanish capital.

Online knockout tournaments will be in March. The following month, 64 players will compete for eight spots in the final round at a live qualifying event. The eight finalists will only be able to use players involved in the group stage of the Champions League.