ECHAMPIONS LEAGUE RETURNS TO MEDIACITY AS ESPORTS PRODUCTION FOOTPRINT EXPANDS

The eChampions League Phase and Knockout Rounds is returning to MediaCity’s studios this May, marking the second time the UK’s leading television facility has hosted and delivered Europe’s highest-profile esports broadcasts.

Running from 14–17 May and produced by Whisper, the tournament will occupy HQ1, HQ2, HQ8 and HQ10, transforming more than 30,000 sqft of MediaCity studio space into a fully integrated live esports production hub.

Broadcast globally via YouTube, Twitch and social platforms, the event brings together Europe’s top EA SPORTS FC™ competitors, all qualifying through their domestic leagues ahead of the finals in Budapest, host city of this year’s UEFA Champions League Final.

Following on from successfully staging the last eChampions League event alongside the recent ePremier League, this returning production marks a significant expansion on last year’s event with the return signalling MediaCity’s growing position as a destination for premium esports and digital-first live productions.

Unlike many traditional studio facilities, MediaCity Studio’s fully interconnected studio infrastructure enables tournament operations, live galleries, talent areas, player facilities and post-production workflows to operate from a single connected production environment.

Emma Leone, Production Executive at Whisper said: “What we’re building with EA Sports and MediaCity is a blueprint for what premium esports production looks like in the UK. The scale, the infrastructure, the connectivity – Its broadcast-grade live television applied to a completely new generation of sport. The eChampions League Group Stages are a statement of where competitive gaming is heading and Whisper are excited to be the team bringing it to life.”

Andy Waters, Head of Studios at MediaCity, said: “Esports productions demand a very different type of studio operation, not just technically, but experientially. EA wants players, fans and online audiences to feel the scale and atmosphere of a major live event the moment they walk into the space. 

The advantage is we can deliver that entire environment cohesively, without productions having to split teams and operations across multiple locations. That flexibility, combined with the strength of our technical teams and broadcast infrastructure, is a big reason why productions like this are returning and growing here.”

The tournament also reflects a broader evolution underway at MediaCity’s studios as demand increases for facilities capable of delivering premium streaming-first productions alongside traditional broadcast workflows.

Long associated with major UK broadcasters including the BBC and ITV, MediaCity has increasingly become a home for large-scale digital productions requiring high-capacity connectivity, rapid turnaround workflows and broadcast-grade resilience across multiple live output platforms.

For esports organisers, the appeal extends beyond studio space alone and the wider MediaCity campus gives players, talent and production teams access to hospitality, accommodation, transport links and on-site facilities that are difficult to replicate within more traditional studio complexes.

Alice Webb, CEO of MediaCity said: “The eChampions League Phase and Knockout Rounds echo everything MediaCity represents: cutting edge technology combined with digital innovation to deliver an industry leading international event. The achievements of this past weekend further establish MediaCity’s position as a key player in the UK’s creative and esports sectors, a campus that nurtures global talent whilst leveraging our extensive production expertise to broaden competitive gaming’s reach.” 

The eChampions League Phase and Knockout Rounds will stream live globally from MediaCity between 14-17 May, more information can be found here.