The NFL and esports are meeting once again with the newly announced “Madden NFL Club Championship”, consisting of all 32 teams in the National Football League. The announcement of the Club Championship is an effort to drum up hype for Madden 2018 which launches this Friday, and the release of the featured mode which will further bring the two industries together.
“Competitive gaming and esports are one of the most exciting ways to engage a larger, younger and digitally savvy NFL audience,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell via the LA Times.
Collaborating with EA to create the Madden NFL Club Championship presents a unique opportunity to capture the excitement of NFL action and the passion of our fans with competition that anyone can participate in.
The tournament will incorporate NFL in more ways that just teams. An online qualifier will select players who will move on to the second stage of the tournament which is set to take place at specific NFL stadiums and other Football landmarks around North America. Once the 32 top players are found, they will begin the final leg which will take place at the Pro Bowl in Orlando, Florida on January 28th, 2018. The Grand Finals will end at Superbowl 52, a new attraction for North America’s biggest Football day.
The Madden Club Championship will be the biggest joint participation between franchises and esports ever. But it is differing from other programs which have involved the NBA. The franchises will be represented and involved, unlike the NBA where players are directly involved in esports. Football in America is one of the largest past times and the tying of the two industries will generate a whole new fanbase catered for fans of both sports and esports. While Madden NFL speaks almost entirely to North America, the rise of simulation games (like FIFA) have opened a new world for esports and a growing fan base, especially with the interest from franchises within those sports. The NFL has been in shadows of esports for quite some time while taking part in other respective positions like team ownership and representation. Both the Cowboys and Patriots have been involved in esports, but now Madden and EA are pulling them all together under one tournament.
While Madden NFL speaks almost entirely to North America, the rise of simulation games (like FIFA) have opened a new world for esports and a growing fan base, especially with the interest from franchises within those sports. The NFL has been in shadows of esports for quite some time while taking part in other respective positions like team ownership and representation. Both the Cowboys and Patriots have been involved in esports, but now Madden and EA are pulling them all together under one tournament.
The overall tournament, which includes October’s Madden Classic and the Madden Challenge in December, form part of the Madden NFL Championship Series and offers $1.15 million in prizes.
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Last Updated: August 22, 2017
