Xbox Live to offer free multiplayer football

Can't wait for the World Cup? Xbox Live gamers with a copy of EA's 2006 FIFA World Cup, on sale in the UK from April 28, will be able to play multiplayer games (usually only available to Xbox Live Gold members) for free during the week of May 8 to May 15, 2006.

To access Xbox Live during the Free-For-All, all you need to do is plug a broadband cable into the back of your Xbox 360 console. Sign up for the standard Xbox Live Silver membership, and it will be upgraded to the gold package automatically on May 8. Gold members will also be able to download the premium content available only to subscribers during the week.

As well as the chance to take on other players at 2006 FIFA World Cup, there will be limited-edition consoles and free subscriptions to Xbox Live up for grabs during the Football Free-For-All.

The upgraded membership during the Free-For-All also gives players a chance to register for the Xbox Cup. The Xbox Cup, launched by Xbox, Adidas, and Electronic Arts, aims to find gamers to represent the UK in Germany this summer during the FIFA World Cup Finals. Teams from around the world will compete for prizes that include tickets from Adidas to the FIFA World Cup. Whoever has the top spot on the Xbox Cup leaderboard on May 24 will be representing the UK in Germany.

Tottenham's Ledley King said: "The Xbox Live Football Free-For-All Week is a great chance for everyone to take on their friends over Xbox Live and I'll certainly be looking out for some of my team mates online to give them a game!"