EA is connecting communities of players, athletes, creators and fans around the world.

Connecting communities, no matter where you are

How we are bringing players, athletes, creators, employees and fans together

February 20, 2026

Sports have always been about more than what happens on the field. At their best, they create moments that connect people across cities, cultures, and generations through shared fandom and community.

At EA SPORTS, that belief shapes how we show up at the world's biggest stages - turning sport's biggest moments into experiences fans can actively be part of.

Our work proudly connects players, employees, musicians, athletes, creators, and fans into a single, living community - one that shows up across culture, competition, and purpose. From community impact initiatives to global esports competitions. From world-class concerts to data-driven Super Bowl simulations powered by decades of football insight. We build experiences in, around, and beyond the game that bring fans closer to the sport and to each other.

As we reflect on Super Bowl week, one of the biggest stages in global sport, that vision came into focus through a series of connected experiences that showcased the full reach of our community and the power of football to inspire participation and connection.

"These moments were not standalone activities. They were connected expressions of a broader vision where players, employees, athletes, creators, and fans all have a place in the story."

Connecting artistry

At the center of our Super Bowl presence was EA SPORTS™ Presents Madden Bowl in Partnership with Visa, Super Bowl week's premier night of football, music, culture, and community.

On Friday, February 6, fans, players, employees, musicians and more gathered at San Francisco's Chase Center for a high-energy celebration bringing together music, football, and community under one roof. Live performances from Zach Bryan, Teddy Swims, Stephen Wilson Jr., Gavin Adcock, and the Bay Area's own LaRussell transformed the night into a shared cultural moment built around the energy of the Super Bowl and the fans who power it.

Connecting elite competitors

The Madden Championship Series (MCS) reached its thrilling conclusion on Friday at Electronic Arts headquarters in San Francisco, where 14 of the world's best players battled for their share of a $1 million USD prize pool and a place in Madden esports history.

When the final moments arrived, Drini delivered under pressure.

With the clock winding down, Drini sealed a 30-27 victory over Astro with a dramatic, game-winning field goal, earning the MCS 26 Madden Bowl title and taking home $250,000, the largest share of the prize pool.

Played in front of an electric crowd at EA Redwood Shores, the three-day event featured nonstop action and some of the highest-level Madden gameplay ever seen on the Championship Series stage.

Fans attending in person were treated to more than just elite gameplay.

Each day featured NFL player meet-and-greets, exclusive in-game rewards, and surprise giveaways, including copies of Madden NFL, creating an experience that celebrated both competition and community.

From the opening kickoff to the final play, the MCS 26 Madden Bowl demonstrated what makes Madden NFL the playable heartbeat of football culture, where fans don't just consume the sport, they compete in it and shape what comes next.

"Community sits at the center of our approach to American football. Not just in how the game is played or watched, but in how it can create real-world change."

Connecting with local communities

Community sits at the center of our approach to American football. Not just in how the game is played or watched, but in how it can create real-world change.

As the global spotlight turned to Super Bowl week, EA SPORTS is proud to have joined in the NFL Inspire Change Super Bowl STEAM Celebration to help spark curiosity and creativity among future creators, technologists, and innovators.

Together with the NFL, Microsoft Copilot, the Players Coalition, and five local nonprofit organizations, we gave 100 students hands-on learning experiences that connected sports, technology, and creativity. By linking football with interactive technology, we showed how the power of play can extend into skills that shape what comes next.

Because building the future of fandom means investing in the next generation who will learn, play, create, and ultimately define what comes next.

A community only EA can build

These moments were not standalone activities. They were connected expressions of a broader vision where players, employees, athletes, creators, and fans all have a place in the story.

From live cultural experiences to elite esports competition to community impact, Super Bowl week demonstrated how EA SPORTS brings football to life across screens, stages, and cities, not just as a moment to watch, but a moment to participate in.

As the biggest moments in sport continue to evolve, we remain focused on building the world's most connected football community, one that lives in, around, and beyond the game, and grows with fans.

Check out other amazing EA stories on ea.com/news.

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