REDWOOD CITY, Calif. & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Electronic Arts Inc., (NASDAQ: EA) and the National Football League (NFL) announced the launch of the EA SPORTS Madden NFL 20 Championship Series (MCS). This year’s MCS enhances the connection to the sport as all four Madden NFL Major tournaments occur during key NFL moments – the NFL Kickoff, the NFL playoffs push, the Super Bowl and the NFL Draft. Additionally, official NFL partners Pizza Hut and SNICKERS© will serve as official MCS sponsors, heightening the connection to the League.
The Madden NFL 20 Classic occurs just days before the NFL season kickoff from August 30-September 1 and is an open registration format featuring the largest competitor pool in the history of this event. Held at Esports Stadium Arlington, the largest esports-dedicated facility in North America, the Madden NFL 20 Classic will air on the Madden NFL Twitch and YouTube channels.
In addition to the Madden NFL 20 Classic, fans can compete to represent one of the 32 NFL teams in the Madden NFL 20 Club Championship December 18-21. Next is the Madden NFL 20 Challenge occurring January 30-February 1 during Super Bowl weekend. The Madden NFL 20 Bowl concludes the MCS season during the NFL Draft April 23-25.
“Last season was a monumental year for the Madden NFL Championship Series as millions competed and we achieved record viewership,” said Matt Marcou, Madden NFL Competitive Gaming Commissioner. “In continued partnership with the NFL and its 32 clubs, we intend to accelerate player and spectator growth by aligning closely with the NFL calendar. Football fandom and Madden NFL engagement feed off each other and we’re confident this connection will further inspire our players and spectators.”
“We view esports as a key accelerant to growing the NFL. It enables new ways for young fans to engage in the sport through Madden NFL competition,” said Rachel Hoagland, NFL Vice President, Head of Gaming & Esports. “Competitive Madden unlocks great potential as the authenticity it provides enhances engagement and the connection between our 32 NFL Clubs and football fans around the world.”
MCS Major live tournaments will occur in Pizza Hut Stadium – the new home of competitive Madden NFL. Pizza Hut Stadium is the first-ever official virtual stadium rights deal in esports. SNICKERS® will return for another season after its impactful Madden NFL 19 highlights integration and MCS Moment of the Year Award voted on by the Madden NFL community. SNICKERS® will continue to surround the biggest plays and most memorable moments of the MCS.
Competitors begin their journey to each Madden NFL 20 Major by playing in an online tournament facilitated by ladder play and elimination brackets. At the end of each Major, points are awarded for the top placing performances. The series concludes at the Madden NFL 20 Bowl, where the 16 highest ranked competitors in the series vie for the title of Madden NFL champion. Players can also earn fame and fortune through standalone exhibitions known as Premier Events.
Tune-in today, July 26, at 4 pm PT; 7 pm ET for a 90-minute community livestream produced in the EA Broadcast Center and aired live on the Madden NFL Twitch channel for additional MCS 20 competitive announcements. Popular MCS analyst Ryan “RG” Glick will provide competitor-specific perspective alongside former Madden NFL Major winners Michael, “Skmbo” Skimbo, Pavan “Pavan” Lakhat and Zachery “Serious Moe” Lane on how the all-new Madden NFL 20 and its MCS 20 structure will impact the competition. Official MCS online competition begins on July 30 as both the Madden NFL 20 Superstar and Ultimate Superstar editions launch on Xbox One and the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system. The Madden NFL 20 standard edition is available worldwide on August 2.
The Madden NFL 20 Ultimate Superstar edition will include special edition MCS 20 content including three Madden NFL 19 MCS uniform sets and four Madden NFL 19 Major champions as coaches – Michael “Skimbo” Skimbo, Pavan “Pavan” Lakhat, Christian “Chritobin” Lomenzo and Drini “Drini” Gjoka.
Official Madden NFL 20 Championship Series rules and how to register for the Madden NFL 20 Championship Series will be covered on the community livestream airing today, July 26, at 4 pm PT; 7 pm ET on the Madden NFL Twitch channel. The www.MaddenChampionship.com/compete website providing additional program details will go live today, July 26, at 4 pm PT; 7 pm ET.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company develops and delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, mobile devices and personal computers.
In fiscal year 2019, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.95 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality brands such as EA SPORTS™ FIFA, Battlefield™, Apex Legends™, The Sims™, Madden NFL, Need for Speed™, Titanfall™ and Plants vs. Zombies™. More information about EA is available at www.ea.com/news.
