FIFA 21 & MADDEN NFL 21 ADDED TO NMAA ESPORTS LINE-UP
The New Mexico Activities Association, in partnership with the NFHS Network and PlayVS, will be expanding the game titles offered for the 2021 Esports Season to include FIFA 21 and Madden NFL 21. Previously, the NMAA Esports line-up included only League of Legends, Rocket League, and SMITE.
Two of the most popular sports titles in the world, FIFA and Madden, boast real professional football and soccer players on their actual professional teams. EA’s long-running sport simulation franchises represent all of the excitement sports gamers know and puts them in the center of the action. These titles will now be included as part of the NMAA’s Official Spring Esports Season, which will begin in February and culminate with State Championships in early May.
“The NMAA is excited to partner with PlayVS in bringing FIFA 21 and Madden NFL 21 to our high schools,” said NMAA Executive Director Sally Marquez. “Esports has become one of our Association’s fastest growing activities and the addition of these titles will only help to increase student participation.”
“The NFHS Network is proud to support the addition of FIFA and Madden to the high school Esports gaming portfolio,” said NFHS Network Vice President, Mark Koski. “These are incredibly popular game titles among students — as our first sports titles — we will now offer a new kind of competition to our players and expand the appeal of our platform to a larger audience. We can’t wait to recognize the first-ever FIFA and Madden high school state champions across the country.”
Over 50 schools and 700 students participated in the 2020 Esports Season which was, unfortunately, cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 season is set to begin in February and will include an 11-match schedule and two weeks of state playoffs for each game title. Schools in two classifications (A-4A & 5A) will earn points toward an overall Esports championship based on participation and success in League of Legends, Rocket League, SMITE, FIFA 21, and Madden NFL 21.
For more information pertaining to this announcement, please contact Dusty Young, NMAA Associate Director, at 505.977.5385.
