For over two decades, Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) was one of the most beloved football games in the world. From PlayStation 2 classics to intense local tournaments, PES carved out a loyal fan base. But in 2021, Konami shocked the gaming world by rebranding PES into eFootball—a free-to-play esports-focused platform.
How did PES evolve into eFootball? And how has it grown as a competitive esports title since then? This article gives you a complete breakdown of the journey from PES to eFootball Esports.
🏟️ The Glory Days of PES (2001–2015)
Back in the 2000s, PES was considered by many fans as the king of football simulation:
- Realistic Gameplay: PES had more fluid, realistic football mechanics than FIFA at the time.
- Master League Mode: The iconic single-player career mode became a fan favorite.
- Local Multiplayer Rivalries: PES was famous for “sofa rivalries” with friends.
- Legends: PES introduced unique legends like Adriano in PES 6—remember that 99 shot power? 💥
🎮 During this period, PES tournaments were already happening, but they were mostly local or fan-organized.
🔄 Transition Era: PES Meets Esports (2016–2020)
As esports grew globally, Konami saw an opportunity:
- PES League (2016): Official competitive tournament launched.
- eFootball Pro (2018): Konami partnered with real clubs (Barcelona, Schalke, Monaco) to form professional PES esports teams.
- Online Competitions: More structured online qualifiers introduced.
💡 This era was the bridge between traditional PES and the esports-focused eFootball we know today.
🌍 The Big Shift: PES Becomes eFootball (2021)
In 2021, Konami made its boldest move yet:
- Rebranding: PES was officially renamed eFootball.
- Free-to-Play Model: Unlike FIFA, eFootball became fully free, opening access worldwide.
- Cross-Platform Play: Mobile, console, and PC integration.
- Focus on Esports: Built to be a competitive, live-service game.
🚨 The launch wasn’t perfect—bugs, poor graphics, and missing features led to criticism. But over time, Konami improved updates and doubled down on esports.
⚡ eFootball as an Esports Title (2022–2026)
Fast-forward to today: eFootball is now a recognized esports ecosystem.
Key Features That Make It Esports-Ready:
- Dream Team Mode 🏆 → Build squads like FUT, but with esports balance.
- Regular Events 📅 → Campaigns, challenges, tournaments weekly.
- Official Leagues ⚽ → eFootball Championship Pro & Open.
- Club Partnerships 🤝 → Barcelona, Bayern, Manchester United, and more with esports squads.
- Cross-Platform Play 🎮 → Mobile pros can face console players.
🏆 eFootball Esports Ecosystem Breakdown
1. eFootball Championship Pro
- Professional esports league featuring partnered clubs.
- Matches streamed globally, with cash prizes.
2. eFootball Championship Open
- Open to all players worldwide.
- Anyone can qualify → a grassroots esports model.
3. Community Tournaments
- Discord and third-party platforms (Battlefy, Toornament) host constant events.
- Great entry point for casual players.
📊 PES vs eFootball: What Changed?
| Feature | PES (2001–2020) | eFootball (2021–2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Game Model | Paid, annual releases | Free-to-play, live updates |
| Focus | Offline + casual play | Online + esports play |
| Tournaments | Local & PES League | eFootball Pro & Open |
| Platforms | Mainly Console/PC | Console, Mobile, PC |
| Community | Hardcore PES fans | Global esports community |
🎯 Why eFootball Works as an Esports Title
- Accessibility: Free-to-play opens doors worldwide.
- Cross-Platform: Mobile players can join esports—huge for Asia & Africa.
- Club Backing: Real football clubs support esports squads.
- Regular Content: Weekly packs & campaigns keep game alive.
❌ Challenges Along the Way
- Launch Backlash (2021): Poor graphics & bugs hurt reputation.
- Competition with FIFA/EA Sports FC: Still dominates mainstream football gaming.
- Balancing Issues: New mechanics (dribbling, defending) often need fixes.
Yet, despite challenges, eFootball has carved out its niche in esports.
🔮 The Future: eFootball Esports Beyond 2026
What’s next? Based on Konami’s trajectory:
- Bigger Global Tournaments 🌍 → Expect World Cup-style esports events.
- More Club Partnerships 🤝 → Expanding beyond Europe.
- Mobile Esports Expansion 📱 → Mobile-first tournaments in Asia, Africa.
- Legend/Epic Integration in Esports 🌟 → More use of dream squads in competitive play.
📝 Conclusion
The journey from PES to eFootball is one of the most fascinating evolutions in gaming history.
- From PS2 classics and Master League glory → to Dream Team esports competitions.
- From local sofa battles → to global tournaments watched by millions.
👉 eFootball isn’t just the successor to PES—it’s a new chapter in football esports, and its story is still being written. ⚽🔥
