The Champions Slot Review: Football Action by Pragmatic Play
Ready to kick off some high-octane soccer action? The Champions by Pragmatic Play lets you step right into the stadium, blending electrifying visuals, interactive features, and a clever multiplier system straight out of a global football tournament. Since its debut in May 2018, this slot has been enticing players with its roaring crowd atmosphere and immersive mechanics. Let’s take a closer look at what makes The Champions a real crowd-pleaser—from its gameplay and symbols to its bonus features and vital stats.
The Champions: Game Specifications and Core Details
Developer
Pragmatic Play
Release Date
May 24, 2018
Type
Video Slot
Reel Layout
5 Reels, 3 Rows
Paylines
25 Fixed Paylines
RTP
96.51%
Volatility
Medium
Betting Range
0.25 to 125 (per spin)
Maximum Win
1,364x Total Bet
Mobile Compatibility
HTML5 (Android, iOS supported)
Gameplay and Visual Theme
From your very first spin, The Champions throws you into the heart of the stadium. Expect vibrant animations, a pulse-pounding soundtrack, and the energetic vibe of a world-class football match. One standout feature? You get to pick your favorite from 32 national flags before you play—this choice personalizes the look of the game, as team jerseys and boots reflect your selection. It’s a fun way to root for your team while you chase big wins.
The action plays out on a classic 5x3 grid with 25 paylines that are always in play, so you never miss a scoring opportunity. Whether you’re spinning from your living room or on your phone during halftime, The Champions is optimized for seamless gameplay on any device.
Symbols, Payouts, and Paytable Highlights
The reels are packed with football-inspired icons, including:
Soccer Ball (triggers special features)
Jerseys (in your chosen team’s colors)
Football Boots
Goalkeeper Gloves
Whistles
Bold, sporty card symbols—Ace, King, and Queen
Your biggest wins will come from landing combinations of jerseys and boots, while the card symbols fill in for smaller, more frequent payouts. Each win is calculated either as a multiplier of your bet per line or your total bet, depending on which symbols and paylines line up.
Special Features and Bonus Mechanics
The Champions Momentum Progressive Game
Here’s where things get interesting. Before each spin, you place a target overlay anywhere on the reels. If the Soccer Ball symbol lands on your target, you score a “goal”—and advance through 11 Momentum levels. Each new level boosts your win multiplier, starting from 1x and climbing all the way up to 20x. Every multiplier sticks around for the next ten spins, giving you a real shot at some seriously impressive wins.
Penalty Shots Bonus Game
Landing three Bonus Symbols (your team’s diamond) on reels 2, 3, and 4 fires up the Penalty Shots Bonus. Now it’s your time to shine: you get five shots at goal, picking from four targets each time. Every goal you score cranks up your prize, and if you nail all five shots, you’ll snag the top reward—an instant 100x your current bet. No pressure!
Wild Icon and Substitution Functionality
The Golden Trophy is your Wild Icon, swooping in to substitute for any regular symbol and help complete winning lines. The only exception? It can’t replace the Bonus Symbol.
Bonus Symbol and Scatter Function
The Bonus Symbol appears as a colored diamond matching your team. Acting as a Scatter Symbol, it’s your ticket to the Penalty Shots Bonus Game. While it won’t pay out on its own, landing three anywhere on the central reels (they don’t have to be on a payline) will kick off the bonus round.
How to Play The Champions: Strategy and User Experience
Choose Your Team: Start by picking from 32 flags; your choice customizes the look of the reels.
Set Your Bet: Use the flexible bet range (from 0.25 up to 125 per spin) to suit your style—whether you’re a casual fan or a high roller.
Autospin: Want to sit back and cheer? Activate Autospin to spin automatically for as many rounds as you like.
Monitor Multipliers: Keep an eye on where you place your target. Smart positioning in the Momentum Progressive Game can unlock those juicy multipliers.
Bonus Rounds: Focus on landing three Bonus Symbols on reels 2, 3, and 4—that’s your shot at the Penalty Shots Bonus, where every goal counts toward the top payout.
The Champions on Mobile and Free Play
Thanks to HTML5 technology, The Champions runs flawlessly on both Android and iOS devices. Prefer to practice before going all-in? Check out Demo Mode at participating online casinos—where you can try out strategies and get a feel for the features, all with virtual credits.
List of Key Game Characteristics
Developer: Pragmatic Play
Type: Video Slot
Reels/Rows: 5 reels, 3 rows
Paylines: 25 fixed
RTP: 96.51%
Volatility: Medium
Betting Range: 0.25 to 125 per spin
Max Win: 1,364x total bet
Wild Icon: Golden Trophy (substitutes for regular symbols)
Bonus Symbol: Team diamond (triggers Bonus Round)
Scatter Symbol: Yes (as Bonus Symbol)
Free Spins: Not present
Bonus Round: Penalty Shots Bonus Game
Momentum Progressive Game: Yes (win multiplier up to 20x)
Autospin: Yes
Mobile Compatibility: Android, iOS, HTML5
Release Date: May 2018
Similar Games to The Champions
If football fever and bonus-packed slots get your heart racing, you’ll want to check out more Pragmatic Play titles with the same 5-reel, multi-line action. These games often feature multipliers, Wild Icons, and interactive mini-games—so you can keep the excitement going long after the final whistle.
CategorySlots
Providerpragmatic
Popular
What is the RTP of The Champions slot?
The Champions offers a Return to Player (RTP) rate of 96.51%, making it a solid pick for those who enjoy medium volatility slots and want fair chances at frequent wins.
How do I trigger the Penalty Shots Bonus Game?
To activate the Penalty Shots Bonus Game, land three Bonus Symbols (your team’s diamond) on the middle reels—2, 3, and 4—in one spin. That’s your cue to step up and take your shots!
Can I play The Champions on my mobile device?
Absolutely! The Champions is built on HTML5, ensuring smooth and responsive play on both Android and iOS smartphones or tablets.
Are there Free Spins in The Champions?
No free spins here. Instead, you’ll find exciting features like the Momentum Progressive Game and the Penalty Shots Bonus Game to keep things lively.
What is the maximum win in The Champions?
The top payout you can score in The Champions is 1,364 times your total bet—a prize that’s well within reach if you hit those high multipliers and bonus rounds.