AC Milan partners with QLASH to start their first esports team

European football club AC Milan has joined the growing numbers of traditional sports organisations starting esports divisions. Instead of doing the hard work of creating their division from scratch, they have partnered with one of the largest esports organisations in Italy, QLASH. The new teams will compete for all upcoming titles under the AC MILAN QLASH banner.

The team will compete in the eSerie A TIM 2024/21 championship, and enter in FIFA 21 competitions, like the FIFA Global Series and the FIFA Club World Cup. It seems obvious to point out that AC Milan’s top priority esport is FIFA, but the team will also compete in the Brawl Stars World Finals, which is scheduled for Nov. 21 and 22. Not too many details have been released regarding their Brawl Stars line up, but we do have a ton of info on their FIFA set up.

Anyone looking to bet on esports may have to update the favourites to win, especially in the Italian scene. QLASH was recently awarded the best Italian team at the 2024 Italian Esports Awards and they will be bringing that expertise to AC Milan. The two FIFA players who have been moved under the AC MILAN QLASH banner are Diego “QLASH Crazy” Campagnani, who ended the last FIFA Global Series season as the number one ranked player in the world for PlayStation and was nominated for the best Italian Player at the 2024 Italian Esports Awards, as well as Fabio “QLASH Denuzzo” Denuzzo, one of the top players in Italy for FIFA’s Xbox side.

Casper Stylsvig, AC Milan’s Chief Revenue Officer wrote in their press release: “We’re happy to announce this brand-new partnership with QLASH. This agreement is another important step in our Club’s modernization and innovation path.

“We are sure it will be an exciting and incredible experience, both for us and for our fans around the world, and we’re delighted to be embarking on this new adventure in the world of esports in partnership with a leading company like QLASH.”

QLASH co-founder and CEO, Luca Pagano, added: “For traditional companies that have the courage to adjust and embrace innovation, esports can represent a huge growth opportunity. We are thrilled and proud that AC Milan decided to pick QLASH as their esports arm, not just for operation, but also at brand and commercial levels. AC MILAN QLASH is a true, deep, and effective partnership. For sponsors that want to invest in the future, without neglecting the present or their traditions, together we will be able to offer the best of both worlds."

This is an interesting shift by QLASH. They only recently partnered with cross-town rivals Inter-Milan early this year in February. It isn’t rare to see football players move from team to team but Diego “QLASH Crazy” Campagnani will be the first FIFA player to do so.

It’s clear that AC Milan and QLASH are planning on creating a powerhouse esports organisation. Lots of websites may have to update their odds because the amount of talent packed into this two person FIFA team is impressive. As more and more traditional sports clubs begin to invest in the esports scene, the more widespread and popular the scene will become, especially in the mainstream media.