The Super Bowl promo in Madden NFL 26 has officially arrived, bringing one of the most intricate—and rewarding—free player systems EA has ever offered. With careful planning, you can earn 95 OVR champions, upgrade tokens, and exclusive players without spending a dime. But the key to success lies in understanding the promo’s complex upgrade mechanics.
Here’s a complete breakdown to help you maximize every free reward.
What Makes the Super Bowl Promo Special?
This year’s Super Bowl event introduces several new features:
· Ring Seeker players – start at 92 OVR and can be upgraded to 95 OVR
· Stardom Upgrade Tokens – essential for boosting free players
· Multiple 95 OVR champions – available through various completion paths
· Celebration of both current Super Bowl LX participants and legendary players
⚠️ Important: This promo has the most confusing token system EA has released this year, but the rewards make it worth mastering.
Free Welcome Item Players
Simply logging in gives you two welcome item players:
Player Position Base OVR Max OVR Boost Type
Santonio Holmes WR 92 95 Offensive +1
Malcolm Butler CB 92 95 Defensive +1
Holmes provides a +1 boost to all offensive stats for Super Bowl players, while Butler gives a +1 boost to defensive stats. Both players are upgradeable using Stardom Upgrade Tokens from solo challenges and field pass progression.
Pro Tip: If you can only max one player, prioritize Holmes, as offensive boosts typically provide more value.
Stardom Upgrade Token System
Solo Challenges
Solo challenges allow you to choose between players, coins, or tokens. Many players miss that tokens and coins are far more valuable than low-tier BND (Bind on Pickup) players.
Recommended selections:
· Tiers 1, 3, 5: Take 5,000 coins
· Tiers 2, 4, 6: Take Stardom Upgrade Tokens
BND players at lower tiers aren’t worth the opportunity cost—tokens provide flexibility for upgrading premium players later.
Field Pass Progression
The Super Bowl Field Pass also delivers substantial free rewards:
· Level 10: Free 92 OVR BND Ring Seeker
· Level 16: Free 95 OVR BND Super Bowl Champion Fantasy Pack
The level 16 champion pack allows you to select any 95 OVR Super Bowl champion, making it one of the most valuable free rewards in the promo.
Ring Seeker Players: The Premium Upgrade Path
Ring Seeker players start at 92 OVR and can reach 95 OVR using Super Bowl Ring Upgrade Tokens.
Current Ring Seekers include:
· London Fletcher (LB)
· John Elway (QB)
You’ll need Ring Upgrade Tokens, obtainable through purchase or via the February 8 exchange set requiring eight Ring Seekers.
Event Players: CPU and Online Rewards
Haloti Ngata (CPU Event)
Complete all three tiers of the CPU event to unlock Ngata at 92 OVR:
· 21 total wins (7 per tier)
· Full game completions
· Approx. 2–3 hours of gameplay
Upgraded with three Stardom tokens, Ngata becomes a dominant defensive tackle (97 strength, 96 block shed) and provides a +1 acceleration boost to all Super Bowl players.
CPU events are a grind, but Ngata is essentially a free premium defensive tackle.
Chris McAlister (Online Event)
Win the online Super Bowl event to earn a Season 5 Event Token, exchangeable for Chris McAlister, a 94 OVR cornerback:
· 94 speed, 97 man coverage, 97 zone coverage
· Zero AP Pick Artist ability
· Saints and Ravens team chemistry
McAlister is ideal for man coverage situations and high-level competitive play.
Twitch Drop Rewards
Watching designated Madden streams during Super Bowl week unlocks Sketch, a unique 92 OVR player:
· Viewing schedule: February 2, 4, 5, 6
· 15 min: Sketch pack
· 30 min: Stardom Upgrade Token
· 60 min: Madden Twitch pack
Sketch is versatile with Iron Man ability, allowing him to play both offense and defense, with 94 speed and 95+ receiving stats—perfect for Madden 26’s meta.
Token Management Strategy
There are multiple token types to manage:
Token Type Source Usage
Stardom Upgrade Solo challenges / Field Pass Upgrade welcome items, Ngata
Ring Upgrade Store / Exchange Ring Seekers to 95 OVR
Season 5 Event Online wins Unlock McAlister
Focus on Stardom Upgrade Tokens first, as they have the most immediate impact across multiple upgrades.
Upgrade Priority Recommendations
Phase 1: Foundation Building
· Complete daily field pass objectives
· Progress through solo challenges (choose tokens)
· Start CPU event for Ngata
Phase 2: Event Completion
· Grind online event for McAlister
· Watch Twitch streams for Sketch
· Continue CPU progression for Ngata
Phase 3: Optimization
· Upgrade priority: Ngata > Holmes > Butler
· Save Ring Upgrade Tokens for premium Ring Seekers
· Claim the Level 16 champion pack when available
Advanced Tips for Competitive Players
The Super Bowl promo rewards strategic planning over impulse decisions:
· Ngata excels in 3-4 defensive schemes
· McAlister is ideal for man coverage situations
· Holmes provides essential chemistry boosts for offensive players
For beginners, check our Madden NFL 26 Ultimate Beginners Guide to learn team-building fundamentals.
The Super Bowl promo is your chance to build a championship-caliber team without major Madden 26 coins investment. Focus on completion over speed, and you’ll unlock every free reward efficiently.
Bottom Line
The Super Bowl promo in Madden NFL 26 may seem complex, but its layered token system works in your favor. By methodically progressing through challenges, field pass levels, events, and Twitch drops, you can systematically earn multiple 95 OVR champions, elite event players, and valuable upgrades. Patience and strategy are your best tools to dominate the promo.