While many detractors declared EA’s endlessly successful football sim would suffer from its significant name change from FIFA last year, EA Sports FC (EAFC) has been a complete barnstormer. It’s also a game that was made to be played together and with the Euros still fresh in everyone’s minds, holding an EAFC tournament night at home could be an exciting and memorable event for your gang of armchair managers. To that end, here are the 5 steps hosts want to follow when planning the ultimate gaming night in.
1. Setting Up the Gaming Area
The first step to hosting a successful tournament is to ensure your gaming area is set up for success. Position your console of choice and the biggest TV you own in a spacious area where everyone can see the screen clearly and head-on, if possible. Next, arrange comfortable seating for all participants and spectators. Beanbag chairs are always a good idea here as they take up less space and are surprisingly comfy. Also, make sure all controllers are charged and in good working order and have spare batteries or charging cables on hand in case of emergencies.
2. Creating a Tournament Schedule
A well-organised tournament schedule is essential for keeping the event running smoothly. Determine the format of your tournament, such as single elimination, double elimination, or round-robin. Create a bracket or schedule that outlines each match and the progression of the tournament and allocate a strict time for each match, including breaks, to keep the event on track and ensure everyone knows the schedule.
3. Inviting Participants and Creating an Atmosphere
Invite your friends well in advance and confirm their attendance to ensure you have the right number of participants. Create an exciting atmosphere by choosing football outfits and decorating with merch. You can use banners, posters, and team flags to add a touch of authenticity to your event. Encourage your mates to wear their favourite home kits or colours to really boost team spirit and enthusiasm and make it feel like a real tournament rather than just a night with your mates at home.
4. Providing Snacks and Drinks
No gaming event is complete without snacks and drinks. Provide a variety of finger foods that are easy to eat, such as chips, pretzels, and mini sandwiches, as well as multiple bags of crisps. Pizza is always a safe bet too, of course. Consider healthier snack options too though like veggie platters and fruit bowls and have plenty of drinks on hand, including water, soda, and sports drinks to keep everyone hydrated.
5. Establishing Fair Rules and Guidelines
To ensure a fun and competitive atmosphere, it’s important to establish fair rules and guidelines for the tournament. Clearly explain the format of the tournament, and any specific house rules you want to implement. Decide on the match length, game settings, and any tiebreaker procedures. Make sure all participants understand and agree to the rules before the tournament begins. Having a set of guidelines in place will help prevent any upsets on the night and any serious temper tantrums.