Two leagues based on the video game "Madden NFL" are coming to national cable television, according its developer Electronic Arts (EA), ESPN, Disney XD and National Football League (NFL).
In a press release published on Jan. 26, EA and the NFL announced that they will work together with ESPN and DisneyXD in broadcasting "Madden NFL 18 Championship Series." According to ESPN, John Lasker, VP of ESPN digital media programming, confirmed the momentous step in its relationship with EA and NFL. He said that the partnership of the two with ESPN and Disney will allow the latter two to become a platform to convey the stories of the players in the game.
The two Madden-based leagues that will be aired on national television are the final rounds of the "Madden NFL 18 Club Championship Series" and the new "Madden NFL 18 Ultimate League." The tournament for the "Club Championship Series" started on Jan. 26 at Pro Bowl in Orlando, Florida and was broadcast on ESPNews.
Fans can watch the final leg of the competition live on ESPN 2 and ESPN Deportes at 9 p.m. EST from Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis on Feb. 1. The tournament for the "Ultimate League," on the other hand, will start a day after the "Club Championship" winner is announced. The "Ultimate League" will feature the top 16 "Madden" players — six players from the top two of "Madden NFL 18 Classic," "Madden NFL 18 Challenge" and "Madden NFL 18 Club Championship," while the remaining 10 will be selected from the top series points earners — in a one-vs-one scheme. The "Ultimate League" will start on Feb. 2 and end on April 28 at the NFL Draft at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN 2.
Disney XD and ESPN VOD will also broadcast 12 one-hour episodes of the "Madden NFL 18 Ultimate League Regular Season" on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. EST from February to April. ESPN 2 and ESPN VOD will also be broadcasting half-hour episodes of the "Madden NFL 18 Ultimate League Series" on Tuesdays at 10 p.m. EST from April 3 to May 1.
