EA SPORTS™ and the National Football League are taking Madden competition to new international heights with the debut of the Madden NFL 26 International: Madrid Challenge. The event, set in Madrid, Spain, represents the next step in expanding American football’s global footprint through esports and live events.

The Madrid Challenge will culminate with an in-person finale on November 15, one day before the Washington Commanders face the Miami Dolphins in the 2025 NFL Madrid Game — the league’s first-ever regular season matchup in Spain.

“Playing on an international stage – even being there is insane,” said Jonathan “Jonbeast” Marquez, a veteran of the Madden NFL 25 Championship Series. “But being on the stage in a great venue, with great energy from everyone was amazing. It’s motivated me now that I’ve seen what it’s like to play football esports outside of America.”

Expanding Football’s Reach Through Esports

The Madrid Challenge reinforces EA SPORTS and the NFL’s shared mission to engage new audiences by blending traditional sports with interactive entertainment. Organizers say the competition aims to showcase esports as a bridge connecting global fans with the excitement of NFL football.

Players will have two ways to qualify: through PlayStation Tournaments or the ChallengerMode platform. Eligible participants from Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom can compete for a share of a $10,000 regional prize pool in online matches running October 6–16. Meanwhile, players in the United States, Canada, and Mexico can battle in a $50,000 qualifier on ChallengerMode for a chance to win prize money and a trip to Madrid for the live finals.

The championship will be hosted inside the Real Madrid Club Shop at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium — one of Europe’s most iconic sports venues. Fans around the world can tune into the action via the official Madden NFL Twitch and YouTube channels.