Rio Ferdinand has secured an unexpected new position with EA SPORTS, taking him to Bangkok for the Visa Presents EA SPORTS FC Mobile Festival on 14-15 June.
The former Manchester United defender will host question and answer sessions on stage at the gaming event, located over 6,000 miles from the UK.
Ferdinand's responsibilities include participating in an FC Mobile Showmatch alongside gamers and presenting the winner's trophy.
The 46-year-old announced his involvement through social media, posting an image of himself on a promotional poster with the message: "Next stop, Bangkok I'm heading to the Mobile Festival Bangkok where passion, skill, and football culture collide!"
Rio Ferdinand's work with TNT came to an end last month
ReutersFerdinand will present the winner's trophy and £22,000 prize on 15 June, marking his transition from traditional football broadcasting to virtual gaming events.
He added in his social media announcement: "Can't wait to see you all."
The festival will feature the premier FC Mobile competitors from across Asia and the Middle East, competing before international football personalities and social media influencers.
Ferdinand's new role arrives just weeks after he concluded his ten-year tenure as a pundit with TNT Sports, with his final broadcast covering Paris Saint-Germain's 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final on 31 May.
Ferdinand's departure from TNT Sports came with a heartfelt statement released a week before his final broadcast, in which he explained his decision to step away from punditry.
He wrote: "I'm excited about what the future holds, spending more time with my family, focusing on Rio Ferdinand Presents and my other business interests."
The former England international added: "I hope to stay connected with all of you in different capacities. Thank you once again for everything."
Sources at TNT Sports have indicated that Ferdinand could potentially return to the channel in future, either as a guest contributor or in a permanent capacity.
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Next stop, Bangkok… I’m heading to the EA SPORTS FC™️ Mobile Festival Bangkok—where passion, skill, and football culture collide!
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) June 9, 2025
Can’t wait to see you all 👊🏽 pic.twitter.com/CpGQohRApK
The festival coincides with the opening matches of the Club World Cup in the United States, meaning Ferdinand will be working in South East Asia whilst the tournament begins.
His decision to step away from TNT Sports enables him to pursue his expanding online channels, which have gained considerable traction in recent years.
The Bangkok event represents Ferdinand's first major role since leaving traditional broadcasting, signalling his shift towards digital platforms and gaming-related ventures.
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