For three decades, the series once known as Pro Evolution Soccer has been a cornerstone of virtual football. To celebrate this 30th anniversary, Konami is rolling out a massive commemorative campaign for eFootball, starting today. And the headline act? Well, it’s only Pelé.
This huge content drop, packed with free items, legendary players, and special events, is a grand celebration of the franchise’s history. But it also lands at a crucial time for a series that has struggled to find its form in recent years.
A Legacy in Question: Can Pelé Reignite the Flame?
It’s no secret that the transition to the free-to-play eFootball model has been a difficult one. When we reviewed eFootball 2024, we gave it a disappointing 2.5/5 score, stating that the update was “disappointingly bereft of anything decent enough to tempt players to return… it’s hard to see it ever being worthy of your time.” That said, the 2024 edition was a significant improvement over the years prior.
This new 30th Anniversary campaign feels like Konami’s most significant attempt yet to address those concerns and give players a real reason to come back to the beautiful game. The question is, is it enough?
The King of Football Arrives on the Virtual Pitch
The biggest name joining the fray is, without a doubt, the greatest player in the history of the sport.
Pelé enters the game as a special “Epic: Pelé” card, featuring a unique 30th-anniversary commemorative design. He is the first player in the series to possess two brand-new unique skills: Phenomenal Finish and Phenomenal Pass.
He joins other legendary footballers like Johan Cruyff and Ferenc Puskás, giving players the opportunity to build a truly legendary Dream Team.
A Festival of Free Content and Rewards
To get players back on the pitch, Konami is offering a mountain of free content and rewards throughout the campaign.
- Login Bonuses: Simply logging in during the campaign will grant you Highlight versions of Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, plus 10 Item Selectors.
- Campaign Achievements: Completing in-game objectives can unlock a huge range of rewards, including an “Epic: Legends Assemble” Special Selection Contract, 7 “Big Time: 30th Anniversary” Chance Deals, a special 30th Anniversary Uniform, 100 eFootball™ Coins, and more.
- Tour & Challenge Events: Participating in these events will earn you even more rewards, including additional Chance Deals, training programs, coins, and GP.
The Celebration Goes Global: World Festival and Finals
The festivities will culminate in the first-ever eFootball World Festival, a free-to-attend fan event held on Monday, July 21st, in Tokyo, Japan. This event, which will be livestreamed globally, will feature the eFootball Championship 2025 World Finals, where the finest esports players will compete for the world title.
Crucially for all players, the festival will also host a special event program unveiling new content, new features, and new licensing announcements for the future of eFootball.
The pitch is decorated, the legends have arrived, and a mountain of free content is on offer. Konami is pulling out all the stops for eFootball’s 30th anniversary. The only question that remains is whether this celebration of the past is enough to secure a future for a franchise that many fans feel has lost its way.
The ball is in your court to find out. Surely the arrival of Pelé demands your time?
You’ll find eFootball kicking around on the usual digital stores, where you can grab a free download. We’ll point you to the Xbox Store for play on Xbox Series X|S. It’s also on PS5 and PC.
