Winners of VBL IS Thailand Challenge 2025 treated to exclusive Bundesliga trip
- Thailand challenge closes with winners flown to Germany for an unforgettable Bundesliga matchday experience
- Virtual Bundesliga International Series Thailand Challenge 2025 partnered with EA SPORTS FC Online Thailand, which has eight million registered users
- Nearly 1,000 gamers competed in a unique 2v2 tournament format
- VBL IS aims to bridge gap between esports and football, bringing the excitement of the Bundesliga to a new generation of fans
23 May 2025 – The Virtual Bundesliga International Series Thailand Challenge 2025 wrapped up last weekend with the prize winners given a unique Bundesliga experience in Germany.
Having demonstrated their football skills online by reigning victorious when the finals took place in Bangkok last March, the winners were treated to behind-the-scenes access around the Bundesliga clash between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
We are passionate about bringing German football closer to the Gen Z audience in Thailand, where the Bundesliga is the fastest growing of the top five European leagues for interest, followers and consumption.
Peer Naubert, Managing Director and Chief Marketing Officer Bundesliga International
This year, the Virtual Bundesliga International Series partnered up with FC Online Thailand, which has eight million registered users. Nearly a thousand gamers battled it out for a place in the final, with teams able to choose their online squads from a list of current Bundesliga players, club legends, and local Thai icons.
The competition kicked off last February with a charity football match that brought together more than 70 Thai celebrities and content creators. Fans also got to join in the fun with football and gaming booths. The live stream of the launch event reached millions of Thai fans, with more than 400 visitors attending onsite.
The winning teams from both the grassroots and pro competitions, plus the two winners of a creators challenge, scooped tickets to watch a Bundesliga game live in Germany.
“We are passionate about bringing German football closer to the Gen Z audience in Thailand, where the Bundesliga is the fastest growing of the top five European leagues for interest, followers and consumption,” said Peer Naubert, Managing Director and Chief Marketing Officer of Bundesliga International.
“We know that many fans around the world discover their favourite Bundesliga teams through EA SPORTS FC games, forging a link that crosses all geographical boundaries.”
The VBL International Series is aimed at bridging the gap between esports and football. The objective this year was to bring the Bundesliga directly to Thailand’s vibrant gaming community.
Nutthakorn Boonritphakdee and Kanapol Kotchawat, the winners of the pro tournament, as well as Phisit Kongkasawad and Supavit Kongka, who captured the title in the grassroots category, were joined in Germany by creators Palm Watalooknang and Fu Bluemoon for the once-in-a-lifetime trip.
The posse of winners took part in gaming sessions and football challenges and enjoyed pitchside access. The Thai game creators met Mainz 05 goalkeeper Daniel Batz before the home Bundesliga game against Frankfurt.
Since 2012, when the Bundesliga became the first professional football league to have its own esports competition, more than a million players have competed across our digital tournaments, including the Virtual Bundesliga International Series.
The DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga, which has a partnership with EA SPORTS until 2027, continues to collaborate closely with the world’s leading sports game producer to bring the best of the Bundesliga to the gaming world.
