July 23 – The English Football League (EFL), in partnership with Genius Sports, has launched ‘Fantasy EFL’, the league’s first 72-club fantasy football game that involves all its member clubs across the three Sky Bet EFL divisions.
Fantasy Premier League is the king of the genre with more than 11 million players, having had 76,000 upon its advent in 2002-03. Now there is an official EFL opponent on the digital shelves.
Available on web, and in an app for iOS and Android users, Fantasy EFL is free to play and will allow participants to become managers every game week of the EFL.
First teased at the 2023/24 Sky Bet EFL Play-Off Finals, Fantasy EFL is designed to bring together fans of EFL clubs, fantasy football players, and the broader football community.
Genius sports said that the platform will allow managers to play and engage with nearly 2,000 EFL first-team players, over 1,600 Sky Bet EFL fixtures, and all 72 clubs throughout the season’s twists and turns.
The all-new service differs from the Premier League edition by utilising a 7-a-side format as opposed to the PL’s 15-player lineup, whilst also covering three different leagues across the EFL pyramid.
The game’s hybrid format sees users challenged to select seven players from across the three divisions, plus two clubs to win for extra points, in every game week. Managers can select their seven-player squads from a variety of formations, including 1-2-2-2, 1-2-3-1 and 1-3-2-1.
EFL chief executive, Trevor Birch said: “We’re very excited to bring the EFL’s first fantasy football game to life as a central product that engages not only with supporters of all 72 EFL Clubs, but also the wider football audience.
“We’ve interrogated research into what fans would want out of an EFL fantasy football game and been strategic on a providing a product that isn’t just a copy of what is already in the market.
“Fantasy EFL is a premium product that enhances the EFL brand and opens further opportunities with our broadcasters and commercial partners. Alongside Genius Sports, Fantasy EFL appeals to both the avid and casual fan and will expand the rising interest in the Sky Bet EFL, our Clubs and their players beyond fans who attend matches and those who watch along at home.”
Genius Sports Chief Partnerships Officer, Steven Burton said: “Fantasy EFL is unique, interactive, and fun … this new game will test fans’ knowledge of both teams and individual players while providing them with a platform to compete with their friends and family every week.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1735246483labto1735246483ofdlr1735246483owedi1735246483sni@g1735246483niwe.1735246483yrrah1735246483