If you’ve been scrolling social media or gaming forums to decide if you should pick up the latest entry in Konami’s popular football franchise, you’ve probably asked how much does eFootball 2024 cost before committing. Unlike older paid football sims, the eFootball series shifted to a free-to-play model a few years back, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t costs involved if you want to unlock all content or get competitive fast. I’ve played every iteration of the game since it rebranded from PES, so I’ve broken down every possible cost you might run into, from one-time premium edition purchases to optional in-game spends that fit every budget.
eFootball 2024 Free-to-Play Base Game: What You Get For No Cost
First off, the core eFootball 2024 base game is 100% free to download and play across every supported platform, including PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, and mobile devices. You don’t have to enter any payment details to download it from official platform stores, and you get access to most core game modes right off the bat. That includes online friendly matches, the core Dream Team mode, offline exhibition matches, and limited-time event modes that rotate every two weeks.
But you will face restrictions if you stick only to the free version: you’ll start with a low-rated default squad, you’ll have limited access to rare player cards, and you’ll have to watch ads if you play on mobile to unlock extra rewards. For casual players who only play a few matches a week with friends, the free version is more than enough, and you won’t ever have to spend a penny if you don’t want to. You don’t have to worry about any upfront fee to access the core game, which is one of the biggest perks that makes eFootball 2024 so accessible compared to other paid football sims.
How Much Does eFootball 2024 Cost for Premium and Special Editions?
If you want extra perks right when you start playing, Konami releases paid premium editions of eFootball 2024 that come with pre-loaded in-game currency, rare player cards, and exclusive customization items. The standard premium edition retails for $29.99 across all console and PC platforms, while the limited-time champion edition costs $49.99 when it’s available during the first three months of the game’s release. Let’s break down what you get for each price point:
- Premium Edition ($29.99): 6,000 eFootball coins, 5 random 5-star player cards, 1 exclusive ambassador player card, 10 contract renewal tickets, and 3 months of premium access to the Dream Team pass
- Champion Edition ($49.99): 12,000 eFootball coins, 10 random 5-star player cards, 3 exclusive ambassador player cards, 20 contract renewal tickets, 6 months of premium Dream Team pass access, and exclusive stadium and kit customization items
- Mobile-Exclusive Starter Pack ($9.99): 2,000 eFootball coins, 3 random 5-star player cards, and 1 month of premium Dream Team pass access, only available for iOS and Android players
I picked up the premium edition when it launched last year, and it saved me roughly 20 hours of grinding for coins and player cards compared to my friends who stuck to the free version. That said, it’s not a required purchase by any means, and you can earn all the same items for free if you play consistently enough. The only exclusive items you miss out on if you don’t buy the premium editions are the limited-edition custom kits and stadium designs, which don’t affect gameplay at all.
Average In-Game Purchase Costs for eFootball 2024 Players
Most of the costs associated with eFootball 2024 come from optional in-game purchases, which players can buy to speed up their progress in Dream Team mode or unlock exclusive cosmetic items. eFootball coins, the game’s premium currency, are sold in bundles ranging from $0.99 for 100 coins up to $99.99 for 12,000 coins. Casual players spend an average of $10 to $30 a year on in-game purchases, usually buying small coin bundles to pick up limited-time player cards or renew contracts for their favorite players.
Competitive players who participate in online tournaments or ranked play spend a lot more, though: most competitive players I know spend between $100 and $300 a year on coin bundles to build a top-rated squad and get access to premium training items that boost their players’ stats faster. When you’re budgeting for how much does eFootball 2024 cost for your playstyle, it’s easy to set a monthly limit for in-game purchases to avoid overspending. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to spend money to be good at the game. I’ve faced plenty of top 100 ranked players who told me they’ve never spent a single cent on in-game purchases, they just grind events every week to earn coins for free. But if you don’t have a lot of time to play every week, small occasional purchases can help you keep up with other players without having to sink 10+ hours a week into grinding events.
Hidden Costs to Watch Out for When Playing eFootball 2024
There are a few less obvious costs you might run into when playing eFootball 2024, especially if you play online or on mobile. First, if you play on console, you’ll need an active subscription to PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass Core to play online matches, which costs $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year if you pay annually. That cost applies to all online console games, not just eFootball, but it’s something to keep in mind if you only plan to play offline. If you’re calculating how much does eFootball 2024 cost for your household, don’t forget to factor in that PlayStation Plus or Xbox subscription cost if you have multiple family members who play online too.
Mobile players also face unexpected costs if they play on cellular data instead of Wi-Fi: the game uses roughly 50MB of data per match, so if you play a lot on the go, you might end up going over your data plan limit and paying overage fees. Always make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi when playing eFootball on mobile to avoid extra charges. Another hidden cost is third-party coin sellers, which many players fall for because they sell coins for much cheaper than the official in-game store. But these sellers are almost always scams: they’ll either steal your account information, or Konami will detect the illegitimate coins and ban your account permanently. It’s never worth the risk, no matter how good the deal seems.
At the end of the day, how much does eFootball 2024 cost depends entirely on how you want to play the game. Casual players who only play a few matches a month with friends can enjoy the full core experience for zero cost, while players who want to skip the grind and get extra perks can pay $29.99 for the premium edition. If you’re a competitive player who wants to build a top-tier squad fast, you can expect to spend anywhere from $100 to $300 a year on optional in-game purchases, but that’s completely optional. No matter what your budget is, there’s a way to enjoy eFootball 2024 without overspending, as long as you avoid scam third-party sellers and only buy in-game items that fit your personal budget.