EA Sports Challenge Series lays $1 million in cash and prizes on the line

EA has announced the EA Sports Challenge Series, a sports game tournament series with $1 million in cash and prizes going to the most skilled Madden NFL 12, NHL 12 and FIFA 12 gamers on PS3.

Co-sponsored by Virgin Gaming and exclusive to PS3, participants will compete for the largest prize money of "any console-based sports gaming tournament ever" at their leisure by pairing up gamers playing on the site at the same time.

“Virgin Gaming is earning a reputation for hosting the biggest gaming tournaments, but our members have been asking for even larger prize pools," said Rob Segal, CEO of Virgin Gaming. "That’s what drove the creation of the EA Sports Challenge Series; the idea came from them.

"This is also the perfect opportunity to bring our unique tournament format to the masses, giving gamers the freedom to compete whenever they want, instead of according to a set schedule. Those who make it through the online qualifier phase will then earn a seat to play in the live finals for huge cash prizes and true e-sport star status.”

Players who wish to compete, can register and participate immediately, and the three tournaments will begin with online qualifiers through Virgin Gaming for Madden NFL 12, NHL12 and FIFA 12. By winning through the online qualifiers, the top scorer will secure a seat at the final event to be hosted in New York in April 2012. Rules and regulations can be found through here.

GameStop, the official retail partner series, will also be awarding 12 seats to play in the live finals via a special tournament open only to GameStop PowerUp Rewards Pro members. This exclusive tournament runs from January 23 to March 23, and helps fast-track players into the finals.

More information on the tournament can be found through the links.