The NFL recently announced that it will host the inaugural Madden NFL 21 x HBCU Tournament. The collegiate football tournament is in partnership with the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAA), Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). The tournament, which is open to all registered students at SWAC, MEAC, SIAC, and CIAA institutions, will connect HBCU communities and encourage competition among the most talented Madden NFL players.
“This tournament is all about engaging student bodies across Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” said Rachel Hoagland, head of gaming & eSports at the NFL. “We are committed to providing opportunities and fostering a welcoming environment for students who are passionate about games like Madden NFL 21. Throughout the year, we have collaborated with the four conferences on several initiatives and are looking forward to further enhancing our relationship. This tournament is a unique opportunity for students who are passionate about games like Madden NFL 21 to engage with the NFL and we are excited to work with Nerd Street Gamers.”
The tournament is a single-elimination qualifier as registered players will represent their school’s conference. A total of 16 players, who make up the top four qualifiers from each conference, will advance to the NFL Madden x HBCU Showcase to be held Super Bowl week. The tournament is one of several NFL programs that recognize and strengthen its relationships with HBCUs across the country.
Students from the schools in those conferences can now register here to compete in the tournament for free with a chance to win cash prizes.
The schedule for the qualifiers is as follows:
- MEAC & SIAC: Saturday, November 14, 2020, 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT
- SWAC & CIAA: Sunday, November 15, 2020, 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT
“We’re honored to lead operations for this inaugural tournament,” said John Fazio, founder, and CEO of Nerd Street Gamers. “Our HBCU tournaments are pillars of progress that stand for the empowerment of equality and we’re proud to be aligned in the effort to make eSports more inclusive. Partnering with a prestigious organization like the NFL ensures that this opportunity will have a positive and lasting impact. I can’t wait for the competitions!”