The eKPL Esports Football League Launches in Kazakhstan

28 February 2026, 12:40

In 2026, Kazakhstan will host its first-ever national esports championship – eKPL to launch the country's first official esports championship, the eKPL, which will sit within the EA SPORTS™FC Pro ecosystem.

The eKPL will serve as the official national esports competition and will be played in the Ultimate Team mode of EA SPORTS FC™ 26. The creation of the eKPL will allow Kazakhstani clubs to integrate into the global esports ecosystem, while also expanding the reach of club brands among younger, digitally native audiences.

The eKPL season is planned to be held in three stages:

Stage One (February –March 2026): Clubs will hold internal qualification tournaments to select the players who will represent them in the league.
Stage Two (March–April 2026): The regular season will take place online, featuring clubs from all regions of Kazakhstan.
Stage Three (The end of April 2026): The season will culminate in a LAN event – the grand final – featuring live broadcasts, special guests, and the crowning of the national champion.

The winner of the eKPL will represent Kazakhstan at the eChampions League, the esports equivalent of the UEFA Champions League, featuring champions of national leagues and leading European clubs. The eKPL champion will also qualify for the EA SPORTS FC Pro World Championship Play-Ins.

The launch of the eKPL forms part of the KFF’s broader digital development strategy, aimed at expanding the competition ecosystem and integrating modern formats of fan engagement. The new championship will create an additional entry point into football for the younger generation and represents an important step in the development of Kazakhstan’s football culture within the digital environment.