Arlington, VA, August 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The USO and the National Football League (NFL) are joining forces to host the fourth annual Salute to Service Showdown, an EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 25 Tournament that unites the military community through the fun of football and games. Active duty U.S. service members, reservists and National Guard members around the world can compete for a place in Super Bowl LIX. For the first time, this year’s tournament will include qualifying games for military members on U.S. Navy aircraft carriers through the USO shipboard centers.
Registration for the tournament opens Friday, August 30, and the competition will kick off in September with a series of online and in-person military qualifiers. The top eight military finishers will win travel and lodging to attend the live finals at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Salute to Service game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, November 10 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
The two tournament winners will receive tickets to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
VIDEO: Highlights of the 2023 Salute to Service Showdown
“We are thrilled to partner with the NFL again on our fourth annual Salute to Service Showdown, one of the highlights of the USO Gaming program,” said Christopher Plamp, USO Chief Operating Officer. “USO Gaming allows military members to build relationships with other gamers, stay in touch with friends and family, or simply stay connected to life outside the military, helping to alleviate the isolation many military members face while deployed or in remote duty stations.”
For more than 55 years, the USO and NFL have partnered to create programs and events that support military members and military families around the world. The NFL supports USO Gaming through the Salute to Service Showdown, a mobile gaming vehicle, and a ship-based USO Center on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower that offers gaming equipment and other amenities to boost morale and improve the quality of life for sailors on the ship.
“The annual Salute to Service Showdown tournament has proven to be a unique opportunity for the NFL to support our country’s heroes through football and gaming,” said Anna Isaacson, NFL senior vice president of social responsibility. “The NFL is proud to partner with the USO again on this great initiative to thank service members for the incredible sacrifices they have made to protect our freedom.”
Starting August 30, military members can register for the tournament at USO.org/showdown. All are welcome to join the USO Discord (discord.gg/theuso) for tournament details and other USO Gaming updates. Follow #USOMadden on Twitter for updates.
About the USO:
The USO is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the well-being of those and their families who serve in America’s military. Since 1941, the USO has stood by service members throughout their military service. We provide impactful support through our more than 250 locations around the world, an extensive care package delivery program, global entertainment, military and youth programs and more, all made possible by donors, corporate partners, volunteers and employees. To learn more and support our important mission around the globe, please visit USO.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About the NFL Salute to Service:
Salute to Service represents the NFL’s unwavering commitment to honoring, empowering and connecting with our nation’s service members, veterans and their families. It is built on close partnerships with the Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF), Pat Tillman Foundation (PTF), Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), United Service Organizations (USO) and Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP). Since 2011, more than $73 million has been raised for these Salute to Service partners. For more information about Salute to Service, visit NFL.com/Salute.
About Electronic Arts:
Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The company develops and distributes games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, mobile devices and personal computers.
In fiscal year 2023, EA reported GAAP net revenues of approximately $7.4 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is known for a portfolio of highly acclaimed, high-quality brands such as EA SPORTS FC™, Battlefield™, Apex Legends™, The Sims™, Madden NFL, Need for Speed™, Titanfall™, Plants vs. Zombies™ and F1®. For more information about EA, visit www.ea.com/news.
EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS FC, Battlefield, Need for Speed, Apex Legends, The Sims, Titanfall and Plants vs. Zombies are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. John Madden, NFL and F1 are properties of their respective owners and are used with permission.
