In between the network will show Road to the Madden Bowl episodes that highlight the various esports players using “exclusive features and interviews with Madden competitive stars.” It’s all part of a schedule that leads up to the Madden NFL 20 Bowl semifinals and finals on May 16th, which will air live on YouTube, Twitch and ESPN starting at 5 PM ET.

ESPN is hardly the only network diving deep into esports events right now, and Fox already aired a Madden tournament event in March. But putting up five straight hours of Madden coverage on a Sunday afternoon in April is exceptional — even if it is on ESPN2.

NOW OPEN:
Kickoff your Madden Bowl challenges + missions in @PizzaHut Stadium! #Madden20 pic.twitter.com/uN4DukxdEw

— Madden NFL 20 #StayandPlay (@EAMaddenNFL) April 20, 2020

pic.twitter.com/tBW2x2ShEM

— Madden Championship Series (@MaddenLeagueOps) April 2, 2020

Madden NFL 20 Championship Series Schedule

• Saturday, April 25

  • 2 p.m. ET – 5 p.m. ET: LIVE Madden NFL 20 Last Chance Qualifier (EA SPORTS Twitch, YouTube & ESPN app)

• Sunday, April 26

  • 12 p.m. ET: Madden NFL 20 Celebrity Tournament Championship (ESPN2)

  • 1 p.m. ET: ROAD TO THE MADDEN BOWL, Episode 1 (ESPN2)

  • 1:30 p.m. ET: ROAD TO THE MADDEN BOWL, Episode 2 (ESPN2)

  • 2 p.m. ET – 5 p.m. ET: LIVE Madden NFL 20 Last Chance Qualifier (ESPN2)

• Saturday, May 2

• Wednesday, May 6 – Saturday, May 9:

  • 5 p.m. ET – 10 p.m. ET: LIVE Madden NFL 20 Bowl Group Play (EA SPORTS Twitch, YouTube & ESPN app)

• Thursday, May 14

  • 5 p.m. ET – 9 p.m. ET: LIVE Madden NFL 20 Bowl Wild Card Play (EA SPORTS Twitch, YouTube & ESPN app)

• Friday, May 15:

  • 5 p.m. ET – 9 p.m. ET: LIVE Madden NFL 20 Bowl Quarterfinals (EA SPORTS Twitch, YouTube & ESPN app)

• Saturday, May 16: