EA Sports and the National Football League (NFL) have revealed plans for a new esports competition, the Madden NFL 26 International: Madrid Challenge, with finals to be held in Madrid, Spain, at the iconic Real Madrid stadium Santiago Bernabéu. The event is part of a joint initiative to accelerate the global expansion of North American football.
Scheduled for 15 November, the in-person finale will take place just one day before the Washington Commanders and Miami Dolphins compete in the 2025 NFL Madrid Game. The competition is designed to deepen engagement with an international audience for the sport.
The move reflects a strategic effort to connect with more football fans worldwide through both physical and virtual arenas. By leveraging Madden esports, the organisers aim to drive interest in the NFL across international markets and demonstrate how competitive gaming can serve as a catalyst for fan experiences beyond the traditional game. In Brazil, the NFL recently partnered with MadHouse TV, a YouTube and Twitch channel co-owned by esports organisation FURIA, for the broadcast of two official games to be held in London this season.
Also read: EA announces MCS 26 with $1.5 million prize pool
Qualification for the Madrid Challenge is available through two separate paths. A regional tournament for eligible Madden NFL 26 players in Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom will be hosted by Sony via PlayStation Tournaments from 6-16 October, featuring a $10,000 prize pool.
Alternatively, a separate qualifier with a $50,000 prize pool for players from the United States, Canada, and Mexico will be hosted on the ChallengerMode platform. Competitors from both pathways will have the chance to win a trip to Madrid to compete in the live championship and attend the 2025 NFL Madrid Game.
The event will be broadcast on the official Madden NFL Twitch and YouTube channels.
