The Champions

Play for Free

Review of The Champions slot from Pragmatic Play: football passion and fair payouts

Introduction

The Champions — this is a video slot from the renowned developer Pragmatic Play, released in May 2018. The game is dedicated to world football and offers players the chance to feel part of a grand tournament. The slot is executed in a bright, dynamic style and combines simple mechanics with interesting bonuses.

Key features of The Champions slot

1. Theme: international football.
2. Lines / paylines: 5x3 / 25 fixed lines.
3. RTP: 96.51%.
4. Volatility: average.
5. Maximum win: up to x500 from the bet.
6. Bonus: Penalty Shots (penalties) and Momentum Multiplier.

Design and atmosphere

The graphics of the slot are executed in vibrant colors using recognizable football symbols: balls, trophies, team jerseys, and football fields. Animations during wins and bonus activations add dynamics. Sound accompaniment includes crowd cheers, whistles, and music, creating an atmosphere of a big match. Overall impression — positive, energetic, and thematically cohesive.

Characteristics and symbols

Parameter table

Payouts for combinations (5 symbols)

1. Trophy (Wild) – does not pay out, substitutes for other symbols.
2. Football ball (Scatter/Bonus) – triggers the bonus game.
3. Player in red jersey – up to 100× the bet.
4. Player in blue jersey – up to 80× the bet.
5. Player in green form – up to 60× bets.

Exact payouts may depend on the selected team at the start of the game.

Bonus functions and unique mechanics

• Penalty Shots Bonus: activates when 3 or more bonus symbols (football balls) appear. The player chooses one of five corners of the goal for the shot. Upon landing — receives a multiplier or instant win.
• Momentum Progressive Multiplier: during the main game, landing balls in special zones on the screen increases the 'impulse' level, increasing the win multiplier.
• Wild symbol: represented as a trophy and substitutes all regular symbols for forming winning combinations.
• Risk game: absent.
• Frispins: in the classical sense are not provided; instead, a bonus penalty is used.

Expert opinions and recommendations

The Champions suits both newcomers and experienced players who value predictability and moderate risk. Thanks to the average volatility and high RTP (96.51%), the slot offers partial, but moderate payouts.

Recommendations on strategies

• Start with minimal bets to increase the frequency of bonus activations.
• Do not change the team too often — each has its coefficients.
• Use the demo mode to study the mechanics of the Momentum Multiplier before playing for real money.

Mathematical model

1. RTP (Return to Player): 96.51% — above the industry average.
2. Volatility: average — balance between frequency and size of wins.
3. Maximum win: capped at x500 of the total bet.
4. The frequency of bonus drops: depends on the number of balls on the barabans; on average — once in 80–120 spins.

Compared to analogs

1. Football: Champions Cup (NetEnt) – also a football-themed slot, but with frispins and lower RTP (95.07%).
2. World Cup Football (Bally Wulff) – a classic slot with low volatility and no progressive multipliers.
3. Golden Boot (Red Tiger) – oriented towards large wins, but with high volatility and an RTP of only 95.67%.

Mobile version

The Champions is fully adapted for mobile devices. Thanks to HTML5 technology, the slot correctly displays on smartphones and tablets running iOS and Android, retaining all functions and loading speed.

Pros and cons

Pros

1. High RTP (96.51%).
2. Bright football theme.
3. Unique Penalty Shots bonus.
4. Excellent mobile adaptation.
5. Medium volatility — suitable for long play sessions.

Cons

1. Limited maximum win (x500).
2. No classic free spins.
3. The design may appear outdated compared to new Pragmatic Play slots.

Locking

The Champions — a reliable, fair, and atmospheric slot with a well-thought-out mechanic and good payouts. Although it lags behind new releases in graphics and bonus scale, its stability and theme make it an excellent choice for sports fans and lovers of moderate risk.

Overall rating: 7.8/10

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can you play The Champions for free?

• Yes, most casinos and the official Pragmatic Play site offer a demo version without registration.

Are there free spins in this slot?

• No, instead of them, the bonus Penalty Shots is implemented with instant wins and multipliers.

What is the maximum win possible?

• Up to 500× from the total bet per spin.

Does the slot support the Russian language?

• The interface depends on the casino, but the slot itself does not contain text elements requiring translation.

Where can you play for real money?

• In licensed online casinos, collaborating with Pragmatic Play.