EA has released some statistics showing how its ultra-popular FIFA series has helped create many American fans of the real sport.
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The biggest sport in the world is increasingly catching on in the U.S., from youth enrollment to the growth of the MLS and increased European league viewership among Americans. EA's games serve as a simple and fun entry point into the sport, which often results in creating fans of the real clubs.
The infographic below (provided by EA) lays out the numbers for this scenario, showing how often players of the game go on to become real fans. If players don't begin to seriously follow a real team, the series generally at least improves interest in and knowledge of the sport among those who play the games. It also shows how crazy America is for FIFA: it's the series' second biggest market despite the sport's relative lack of popularity here, and fans have spent 3.1 billion minutes playing the games.
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The Seattle Sounders are clearly a popular choice in FIFA in terms of MLS clubs, helped largely by the presence of Clint Dempsey (as are the real club's performances). I've personally experienced this tale of football video game player to real fan--my interest in EA's series years ago sparked what will be serious lifelong support of Chelsea FC. Check out the infographic below, and let us know if you have a similar story.
