30th March 2026
March 30 – Manchester City Esports underlined their dominance on the domestic gaming stage stage by retaining the ePremier League title this weekend, with Matias Bonanno and Jafonso sealing a third consecutive crown at Dock10 Studios in Manchester.
The eighth edition of the competition reached a thrilling conclusion in Salford’s Media City, with the Finals Weekend bringing together the top EA Sports FC players representing Premier League clubs. On the line were bragging rights and £30,000 in prize money, but equally significantly, qualification for the next steps on the global esports circuit.
City’s path to the title ran through Leeds United Esports in a final that carried an added layer of tension. Donovan ‘Tekkz’ Hunt – a three-time champion – faced his former club and former teammate Bonanno, having made the switch to Leeds just last month ahead of this competition.
It gave the occasion a narrative edge, even if the result ultimately reinforced City’s iron grip on the competition.
“We work really hard every day so we are really happy to have defended our title,” said Bonanno.
Jafonso added: “When I joined Manchester City I knew it was a club with a lot of trophies in this competition, and our main goal was to defend this title. I think we’ve done really well during these last few weeks and we deserve this win.”
There is a growing sense that City’s esports operation has set the domestic benchmark – consistent, well-managed and increasingly difficult to unseat.
The competition has continued to build with a revised format that has sharpened the stakes across the season, while the integration into EA Sports’ wider ecosystem is giving the ePremier League its own place in a bustling and competitive calendar.
The competition’s final was also shown live on Sky Sports – a representation of how far esports has developed.
Premier League chief commercial officer Will Brass. said: “The new format has helped the competition build real momentum, giving every match genuine significance. We are grateful to EA SPORTS for their continued support in driving the tournament forward, and to our broadcast partners for bringing the excitement to a global audience.”
Attention now turns to the eChampions League in Budapest, though the majority of players must first go through a qualifying round in Manchester a week prior.
That is followed by the FC Pro World Championship in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia later this summer – assuming the US/Israel war on Iran does not disrupt the schedule.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [moc.l1774871718labto1774871718ofdlr1774871718owedi1774871718sni@g1774871718niwe.1774871718yrrah1774871718](javascript:;)