Updated / verified:
Your next EA SPORTS FC 27 match could be the start of a run to the national stage. Red Bull Wings Cup brings South African players together through online PS5 brackets and university qualifiers, with the national champion earning a place at the World Final, expected in Miami in January 2027.
Tournament entry is free. There are two leagues: Open League and University League. The Open League offers regular online qualification and an alternative on-site Wildcard route. University League qualifiers are physical events with gaming equipment provided.
The essentials
- Game and platform: EA SPORTS FC 27 on PlayStation 5.
- Where: Online, at Comic Con Africa and at listed University League venues across South Africa. The National Final is on 1 November 2026.
- Who: South African residents aged 18 or older. University League entrants must be enrolled at a university throughout the competition.
- Entry: R0 tournament entry. Online Open League players normally use their own PS5, FC 27, internet connection and required accounts or subscriptions. Eligible Wildcard events offer an on-site alternative; Comic Con Africa admission requires a valid ticket.
- Organiser: Red Bull South Africa. Cinga eSports is listing the event and directing players to the official entry routes.
Enter the Open League
Two leagues, three entry routes: regular Open League online brackets, on-site Open League Wildcards, and physical University League Rush 5v5 qualifiers. The Wildcard is part of the Open League.
Regular online qualification
This is the online route for players with access to a PS5 and EA SPORTS FC 27. Have your EA, PlayStation Network and FACEIT accounts ready, including PlayStation Plus where required.
- Open PlayStation Tournaments from the EA SPORTS FC 27 menu on PS5.
- Select Red Bull Wings Cup: Open League and register for a tournament bracket.
- Play your assigned EA SPORTS FC 27 Ultimate Team matches in the 11v11 game mode and work through the bracket.
- Qualifying bracket winners receive an on-console QR code notification to register for the Closed Qualifiers on FACEIT. Follow that notification and complete the next registration before its deadline.
The top eight Open League players advance to the National Final. Read the Open League instructions
TRY AGAIN
Didn’t win your first Open League bracket? Eligible players may enter additional Open League brackets while the qualification window remains open.
Open League Wildcard: the on-site alternative
Eligible players can qualify through an on-site Open League Wildcard, including the Comic Con Africa event above. Check ACGL’s official Wings Cup schedule for your heat, check-in and available places. If you qualify for the National Final through both the regular Open League route and a Wildcard, the South African Terms count only your Wildcard participation.
Enter the University League
Find a University League qualifier near you using Red Bull’s live location list. Venues include universities, student residences, retail locations and other participating spaces. The game and hardware are supplied at these events.
- Open the University League page and scroll to Discover Location.
- Choose your qualifier, select Sign up, and log in or create a Red Bull account.
- Check your confirmation email for match details, then attend your assigned venue. The rules also allow on-site registration with organiser assistance.
- Play Rush 5v5 and earn points on the national leaderboard. You need at least two matches to appear on the leaderboard.
Red Bull’s University League information allows eligible players to take part in multiple qualifiers to improve their position on the National Leaderboard, subject to the organiser’s event rules and availability. The top eight University League players qualify for the National Final. Find your qualifier and sign up
Upcoming University League qualifiers
These are the University League qualifiers Red Bull lists from 11 October 2026. They are mostly on campuses, plus a few partner venues. Each one is free, plays Rush 5v5 on supplied hardware, and counts towards the National Leaderboard. Times and venues are as Red Bull lists them on its location list, so confirm your slot in your sign-up confirmation before you travel.
| Date | Time | Venue | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 11 Oct | 11:00 to 18:00 | Fools Gold Stellenbosch |
Western Cape |
| Tue 13 Oct | 12:00 to 14:30 | UKZN Howard College Outside lower Canteen |
KZN |
| Wed 14 Oct | 11:00 to 13:00 | Emeris Durban North Dita Cafe (Canteen) |
KZN |
| Wed 14 Oct | 11:00 to 15:00 | UWC Canteen (Brewdubs) UWC Canteen |
Western Cape |
| Wed 14 Oct | 12:00 to 14:00 | Emeris Newlands Emeris Newlands |
Western Cape |
| Wed 14 Oct | 12:00 to 15:00 | TUT TUT Cafeteria |
Inland North |
| Thu 15 Oct | 11:00 to 14:00 | MUT Courtyard |
KZN |
| Thu 15 Oct | 12:00 to 14:00 | Eduvos Pretoria Cafeteria |
Inland North |
| Thu 15 Oct | 12:00 to 17:00 | NMU South Campus Kraal |
Eastern Cape |
| Thu 15 Oct | 14:00 to 17:00 | CUT Bloemfontein Campus Cafeteria Area |
Free State |
| Fri 16 Oct | 11:00 to 15:00 | Eduvos Midrand Canteen |
Inland South |
| Fri 16 Oct | 14:00 to 17:00 | CUT Welkom Campus Cafeteria area |
Free State |
| Fri 16 Oct | 15:00 to 20:00 | NWU Potchefstroom Amphitheatre NWU |
Inland North |
| Sat 17 Oct | 10:00 to 15:00 | UFH East London UFH East London |
Eastern Cape |
| Sat 17 Oct | 11:00 to 14:00 | Tsiba Business School Pinelands |
Western Cape |
| Sat 17 Oct | 11:00 to 15:00 | UL UL Main Auditorium |
Inland Outer |
| Sat 17 Oct | 16:00 to 20:00 | UCT Main Campus My Domain Salt River |
Western Cape |
| Sat 17 Oct | 17:00 to 19:30 | UKZN Edgewood Ole Pearl Tower Residence |
KZN |
| Tue 20 Oct | 12:00 to 14:00 | Emeris Gqeberha Canteen |
Eastern Cape |
| Wed 21 Oct | 12:00 to 14:00 | Eduvos (NLS) Pause Area |
Inland Outer |
| Thu 22 Oct | 13:00 to 16:00 | TUT Mbombela TUT Cafeteria Area |
Inland Outer |
| Fri 23 Oct | 12:00 to 14:00 | UKZN Howard College UKZN Howard Upper Quad |
KZN |
| Fri 23 Oct | 12:00 to 16:00 | UMP Building 13 |
Inland Outer |
| Fri 23 Oct | 15:00 to 17:00 | Eduvos Bloemfontein Campus Campus Lounge area |
Free State |
| Fri 23 Oct | 16:00 to 19:00 | UKZN Westville Cyngatha Cafeteria (Main Canteen) |
KZN |
| Sat 24 Oct | 18:00 to 21:00 | Brooklyn Studios Brooklyn Studios |
Inland North |
Listed on the Red Bull University League page. Checked 10 October 2026. The 16 October Gaming Hub session at Fak’ugesi in Braamfontein is listed separately by the festival.
THE QUALIFICATION PATH
Two leagues. One national champion.
South African championWorld Final · MiamiExpected January 2027
Dates you need to know
All times below are South African Standard Time (SAST). The source times in brackets are the UTC+1 times published in the South African participation rules. SAST is one hour ahead of UTC+1.
| Stage | Deadline or date |
|---|---|
| Open League online registration | 9 October 2026 13:00 SAST (12:00 UTC+1 in the Terms) |
| Closed Qualifier registration | 16 October 2026 16:00 SAST (15:00 UTC+1 in the Terms) |
| University League registration | 26 October 2026 13:00 SAST (12:00 UTC+1 in the Terms) |
| University League participation ends | 26 October 2026 16:00 SAST (15:00 UTC+1 in the Terms) |
| National finalists announced | 27 October 2026 |
| National Final registration | 28 October 2026 16:00 SAST (15:00 UTC+1 in the Terms) |
| National Final | 1 November 2026, in person |
Different official start dates: Red Bull currently publishes different start dates across its Wings Cup pages. The South African Terms define the promotion period from 24 September, the University League schedule includes an NMU 2nd Avenue qualifier on 28 September, while the main event banner begins on 29 September. The Comic Con Africa Wildcard runs from 24–26 September. These are not a single universal opening date. Some university table and sign-up-card details also differ. Check your specific qualifier’s official registration confirmation and resolve any conflicting date or venue with the organiser before travelling.
Check eligibility before entering
The rules also exclude specified Red Bull staff and family members, and people who received a Red Bull promotional competition reward in the previous 36 months. Read the complete rules before registering.
Eligible students may compete through both leagues. If a player qualifies through both routes, the South African Terms require them to choose which route they will represent at the National Final. All 16 national finalists must attend in person. Red Bull’s event banner currently lists Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Finalists should follow the official venue instructions issued by the organiser.
What is at stake?
Qualifier rewards
The South African Terms list these FC Points rewards for Open League bracket performance, where applicable under the published rules:
- 1,050 FC Points: bracket winner.
- 500 FC Points: second place.
- 100 FC Points: third or fourth place.
- 100 FC Points: a one-time reward for winning your first match.
These are performance-based in-game rewards, not automatic rewards for every entrant, and are separate from the national champion’s World Final travel reward.
The route to Miami
The national champion qualifies for the World Final, expected in Miami in January 2027, with return flights, accommodation and event transfers included under the published rules. The South African Terms cap the travel reward at R70,000 per person. Travel documents, travel insurance and spending money remain the player’s responsibility. World Final participation is subject to separate terms.
Looking for your next competition or a local gaming venue? Browse Tournament Radar and Play Spots.
Player FAQ
Is the Red Bull Wings Cup free to enter?
Tournament entry is free. Comic Con Wildcard participants need a valid Comic Con Africa ticket to access the venue and play; places remain subject to capacity.
Do I need a PS5?
For the regular online Open League route, you normally need your own PS5, FC 27, internet connection, EA, PlayStation Network and FACEIT accounts, plus PlayStation Plus where required. University League events provide gaming equipment. Eligible physical Wildcards offer an on-site alternative; follow ACGL’s event instructions.
Can I enter both the Open League and University League?
Eligible students may compete through both leagues. If you qualify through both, the South African Terms require you to choose which route you will represent at the National Final.
Can I play more than one qualifier?
Eligible Open League players may enter multiple brackets while qualifying remains open. Eligible University League players may attend multiple qualifiers to improve their National Leaderboard position, subject to the organiser’s event rules and availability.
Do I need a passport?
Yes. Your passport must have at least six months’ validity at registration, and you must be able to obtain the necessary US travel documentation. Do not wait until after winning to obtain the required passport.
Where is the National Final?
Red Bull’s event banner currently lists Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Finalists should follow the official venue instructions issued by the organiser for the in-person final on 1 November 2026.
When is the World Final?
The World Final is expected to take place in Miami in January 2027. Qualifiers must follow the organiser’s final travel arrangements and separate World Final terms.
Official sources
This guide follows Red Bull South Africa’s official event information and Terms of Participation. Competition rules can differ by country. Event details may change.