TRANMERE Rovers are launching a ‘Path to Pro’ Esports competition with a professional Esports contract as the prize at stake.

The free-to-enter competition will see EAFC24 players go against each other in a series of online tournaments, with the winners progressing to a grand final event, to be held in person at Prenton Park, where the eight finalists will compete in a series of eliminator-style challenges.

The qualifying tournaments will be held online on June 1 and 8, with an online semi-final on June 15.  The grand finals will be held in person on June 22 at Prenton Park. 

Eight finalists from the online qualifiers will compete in a series of EAFC24 challenges at the event - including playing against up-and-coming Liverpool FC star, Jayden Danns - with the overall winner of this tournament receiving a professional contract to compete for Tranmere Rovers Esports.

Nicola Palios, vice chairman of Tranmere Rovers and a director of Merseyside Esports Limited, the Club’s Esports joint venture company, said: “We wanted to raise the profile of what we as a Club are doing in the field of esports, and also to take our first steps into professional competition, so this seemed an ideal way to do it.

“So many young people dream of playing Esports professionally, but few get a chance to do it.  By paying the winner a salary to play professionally, it opens up the opportunity to people who might otherwise not get a chance to break through.

“As a football club, the obvious first step was to start with EAFC24, but in the future we would like to expand into other titles.  I would like to thank the College of Esports, who are partnering with us, for helping us to bring this idea to life.” 

In addition to playing EAFC professionally for the Club, the winner will also attend Tranmere’s home matches for matchday fan engagement activities, and work with the Club’s esports BTEC students. 

The College of Esports, the world’s leading university-level institution dedicated to the business of esports and gaming, have been working closely with the Tranmere Rovers to bring this event into fruition, and ensure the seamless transition for the club to venture into competitive esports. Moreover, this tournament has provided students from the institution the opportunity to gain invaluable work experience and expand their professional network. 

Anyone who wants to apply can sign up via this link.  The closing date for applications for the first qualifying tournament is Friday, May 31 and the closing date for the second tournament is Friday, June 7.  In the event of there being more applicants than places available, the highest ranking players will be selected to participate. Players must be aged 18 or above by September 1 2024 to participate.   

Parts of the qualifying stages and all of the grand finals will be live-streamed.  Tickets will be available in due course for those who want to come along and watch the grand finals in person.