Pro Evolution Soccer loses UEFA Champions League license
Konami ends its partnership with European tournament after a decade
The Pro Evolution Soccer series is losing one of its big licenses. Konami and the UEFA Champions League today announced that their 10-year partnership on the football franchise will be dissolved following next month's UEFA Champions League final in Kyiv.
"It has been a very cooperative and mutually beneficial partnership," UEFA Events SA marketing director Guy-Laurent Epstein said. "UEFA would like to thank Konami for its tremendous commitment and support to UEFA club competitions for the last decade and we look forward to continuing to work with Konami in the sphere of UEFA national team football."
As for Konami's position, senior director of brand & business development Jonas Lygaard said, "The UEFA Champions League licence has given us a platform to create unique experiences and provide football fans from all over the world with an opportunity to enjoy this competition first-hand. This year, however, we will shift our focus into other areas. We will continue to explore alternative ways UEFA and Konami can continue to work together, as our relationship remains strong."
The loss of the UEFA Champions League license may sting, but it is just one of an array featured in Pro Evolution Soccer. This year's installment of Pro Evolution Soccer has not been officially announced, but the franchise's official website lists a variety of licenses featured in the 2017 release, Pro Evolution Soccer 2018.