Madden 2025

Eligibility: Open to players aged 10+

Players: 24 players (single elimination bracket)

Game: Madden NFL 25 on Xbox Series S

Accounts: Players use provided SoDak Circuit EA Accounts

Controllers: Official SoDak Circuit equipment only. Players may not use their own controllers.

Format: Single Elimination

Quarter Length: 4 minutes, 20 second accelerated clock

Team Selection

• Choose from current 32 NFL teams (same team OK; changeable between rounds).
• No custom, alternate, or created teams.
• Team choice is locked once match begins.

Playbooks

• No custom playbooks allowed.
• Default NFL team playbooks must be used (you may select another team’s default playbook).

Prohibited Actions

• No onside kicks unless losing.
• No exploits, cheats, glitching, third-party tools, or modifications.

Pauses

• One pause per half per team.
• Maximum 45 seconds per pause.
• Pauses must be for substitutions, settings adjustments, or emergencies only.
• Excessive or disruptive pauses may result in penalties or disqualification at staff discretion.

Ties

• Use Madden’s overtime rules.
• If still tied after OT, restart match – first to score wins.

Disconnections

• If disconnect occurs before 30 seconds/first point scored, restart match.
• Otherwise, recreate lobby and play remaining time with same score (referees will note game clock/score at disconnect).
• Players may not dispute referee-recorded scores.
• Repeated disconnects (2+) = forfeit.
• Intentional disconnects = immediate disqualification.

Mercy Rule (Optional)

• Match may end early if a player leads by 24+ points and the possession rule is met.
• Possession rule: The trailing player must have had the ball at least once after the score that created the 24+ point margin.

Referee Procedures

• 5-minute readiness window: Players must be seated, controller connected, and team/playbook selected within 5 minutes of the match call.
• Early start option: If both players are ready, the referee may start the match early.
• Immediate start at timer end: At the 5-minute mark, players must begin the match immediately at referee instruction.
• Failure to be ready: Players not seated/connected by timer end will be disqualified.
• No restarts for player error: Wrong team, wrong playbook, or controller issues will not restart a match once it begins.
• Coin toss procedure: Before each match, a coin toss determines possession. Winner chooses kick/receive or home/away.
• Stadium: Winner of the coin toss will also choose stadium. 
• No custom playbooks, no excessive celebrations, 1 timeout per half.
• Unsportsmanlike behavior = forfeit and possible exclusion from future events.