Time and time again, the local competitive FIFA scene continues to demonstrate an unyearning sense of desire to compete at the highest level. Accordingly, ever since the release of FIFA 23 back in September, there's simply been something missing. Indeed, after much anticipation, we are gladly announcing the fourth season of the Malta BOV ePremier League!
Built thanks to the invaluable and recurring support of the Malta Football Association as a licenced and official EA Sports qualifier for the international Global Series, GMR and Malta FA are coming together under one banner to celebrate competitive FIFA 23 on the Maltese Islands once again.
BOV ePremier League 2022/23 - A FIFA 23 Global Series Event
For those unaware, the FIFA 23 Global Series is an international competition hosted by EA Games, standardising FIFA 23 competition throughout the world. Naturally, by hosting multiple qualifiers across the globe, players from all kinds of background have the opportunity to qualify for massive events such as the FIFA eWorld Cup.
Once again, this incredible opportunity will be available to Maltese competitors thanks to the BOV ePremier League!
However, to claim the chance, these talented professionals will have to fight through an intense format as elaborated below.
A Gruelling Format - Only the Best of the Best
Mark your calendars - all the action starts as soon as January 2023.
This very first stage will involve a total of 4 Online Open Qualifiers; and by 'open', we mean open. Basically, any Maltese resident with a valid EA Account (16+ years) may register and occupy one of the limited 128 spots for each Online Open Qualifier.
Once registered, players will compete through a format including a double elimination bracket. From each Online Qualifier, the top 4 players from the first 2 Qualifiers and the top 6 players from the third and fourth Qualifiers move on to the Offline Qualifier. That adds up to 20 available spots with 4 overall attempts to qualify to the Offline Qualifier.
The Offline Qualifier - The First Hurdle
No more online matches and competing from the comfort of home; the offline qualifier will be the ultimate test for those wanting to make it to the Main Competition.
The following groups of players (adding up to 32 in total) will seed into the Offline Qualifier:
- 20 - from the Online Qualifiers as explained
- 10 - those who placed 3-12th in the Malta BOV ePremier League 21/22 season
- 2 - Direct Qualifiers at Playcon 2022
Live and broadcasted to the entire country, these 32 competitors will fight through a six-round Swiss Format tournament. However, only the top 11 players will advance to the Main Competition Group Stage.
BOV ePremier League 2022/23 - All About The Main Event
Now that we'll have the very best 11 FIFA 2023 Maltese competitors, it'll be time for the Main Competition Group Stage. Taking place in March, these 11 will be joined by 3 threatening peers:
- 2 - 1st and 2nd placed individuals from the Malta BOV ePremier League 21/22 season
- 1 - Winner of the Direct Qualifiers at PlayCon 2022
All 14 players will then have the privilege of representing a club from the Malta BOV Premier League.
Furthermore, the Group Stage will then be carried out in a studio setup, as the competition is split up into two groups of 5 (A, B) and one group of 6 (4). After facing each other once (aggregate score of 2 matches) within the groups, the following competitors will advance to the Knockout Stage:
- Group A and B - top 3 players from each group
- Group C - top 2 players
Main Competition Knockout Stage - The Final Step
Arriving to the month of May, the final 8 will fight for all the glory in the ultimate double elimination format (each game is the aggregate of two matches) to conclude the season and crown a new champion.
Do note that for this stage, the seeding will be determined using the players' standings following the Group Stage performance. For example: first placed individuals will face third placed individuals from the groups.
Just like that, the season would be over and a new champion would be in our midst!
BOV ePremier League 2022/23 - Recap and Conclusion
So, to recap, here's the format for the season in bullet form:
- Online Qualifiers - January - from a maximum of 384 people, only 32 will make it
- Offline Qualifier - January-March - from 32 players, only 11 progress to the Main Competition Stage
- Main Competition Group Stage - March - 14 players, only 8 make it to the next stage
- Main Competition Knockout Stage - May - 8 players, only 1 can win!
We can't wait to get things started - stay tuned for more through the official Malta BOV ePremier League news page here!
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