In older editions of FIFA, pre season consisted of three randomly assigned friendlies. The teams would typically be of a lower calibre, giving you the opportunity to play some low pressure games before the start of the season.
This used to reflect actual pre season preparations quite well, but in the last 10 years teams have changed how they use their time in pre-season. Looking to improve their brand on the global stage, teams will typically travel to another country or continent to play games. The two biggest changes with this were the level of opposition (seeing big teams player each other is now the norm) and the format of the pre season.
Pre Season Tournament Format
In career mode, the pre season tournament will follow a fairly simple format. Eight teams in total (including you) will compete. Typically, between two and four of the teams will be ‘local’ – from the country the tournament is located in.
Initially there will be two groups of four teams. Within the groups, each team plays every other team once. Since the first stage is a league format, you can draw games – as expected you earn three points for a win, one for a draw and nothing for a loss. To decide the group standings, the teams are ordered firstly on total points. After this it will come down to the head to head record. This means that you could match a team for points and even better them on goal difference, but if they have already beaten you – they’ll sit above you in the table.
At the conclusion of the group stage, the top two teams from each group will reach the ‘finals’. The winner of each group plays the runner up from the other group, so there is a benefit of finishing in 1st place. Of course you have to assume that the runner up will be an easier team, but that isn’t always the case. The winners of each semi final will then compete in the final to conclude the tournament. For the semi final and final, there are no draws. If the score is level after 90 minutes, the game will go straight to a penalty shootout.
Pre Season Tournament Dates
Assuming you’re playing career mode with a European team, the pre season tournament will always occur in July. Within the first few days you’ll receive an invitation which will give you the choice of three different tournaments. Once you’ve made your choice the games will appear in your calendar.
4th July – Group Stage Matchday 1
8th July – Group Stage Matchday 2
11th July – Group Stage Matchday 3
If you progress past the group stage, the knockout games are scheduled as follows.
15th July – Semi Finals
18th July – Final
Pre Season Tournament Prize Money
When you receive your invite to take part in a pre season tournament, the available prize money will be one of the biggest factors in your decision. First of all it is worth noting that prize money increases slightly as difficulty does. Therefore you need to weigh your options and make a decision. Play it safe against weaker opposition or take on the big boys to win more money and bolster your transfer budget in the process.
For each tournament, a ‘Potential Prize Money’ amount will be shown. This is the total amount of prize money you would receive if you won the tournament outright.
Prize money is paid out in three stages (useful if you’re keen to get your transfer business done early).
Group Stage
After the completion of the group stage, each team receives a payment regardless of their finishing position. This amount is typically around 25% (but ranges from 22-28%) of the potential prize money advertised.
Semi Finals
Each team that participates in the semi finals will receive a payment equal to approximately 30-33% of the potential prize money. This is regardless of the outcome of their semi final.
Final
After the pre season tournament final, the winner receives a payment equal to approximately 45% (ranges from around 38-47%) of the potential prize money. The runner up of the final receives no additional payments.
Prize Money Examples
A Pre Season tournament I played in showed a potential prize money of £10,120,000.
- Group stage participants received £2,640,000 (26.09%)
- Semi final participants received an additional £3,080,000 (30.43%)
- The outright winner received an additional £4,400,000 (43.48%)
This meant that:
- Four teams (group stage losers) finished the tournament with £2,640,000 in winnings.
- Three teams finished the tournament with £5,720,000 in winnings. The losers of the semi finals and the runner up from the final.
- This does mean that the runner up is no better off than the losing semi finalists. Once you make it through the group stage, you may as well swing for the fence!
- The outright winner received £10,120,000 in total, which matches the potential prize money amount.
It’s also worth noting that winning the tournament will mean you receive the maximum prize money, regardless of whether you finished 1st or 2nd in your group.
Tips
While it means more games to play at the start of the season, a pre season tournament is a great way to see how new signings or youth players perform. You can also test out new formations and tactics.
These games are also great for rotation in general. You’re allowed to use all seven substitutes during pre season games. This is really helpful if you want to try a few different formations out in a single game.
Even if the prize money doesn’t interest you, pre season tournaments are the only way to go into the first competitive game of the season with your players in good form. This is always useful, especially if you simulate matches. Of course this works both ways, losing matches in pre season will mean you start your league campaign with some players in poor form.
An additional benefit of your having players in good form is that they will likely stay that way as you move into August, meaning they might receive some growth to their attributes.
Be sure to check out the rest of our competition guides for the tournaments, leagues and cups available in career mode.