Looking to score a free copy of Madden NFL 22? With the latest installment in EA‘s juggernaut football franchise retailing at $59.99, getting it for free sounds pretty sweet.
The good news is – with some savvy savings strategies, you can absolutely get your hands on Madden 22 without paying a dime. This comprehensive guide will walk you through all the legit ways to get Madden NFL 22 for free in 2022.
Do You Really Want Madden 22 for Free?
Before we dive into the nitty gritty details, let‘s take a step back first. I want you to be sure that you actually want to invest your time into getting the newest Madden game for free.
Here are a few key things to consider:
What systems do you own? Madden 22 is available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC. The free options are more limited on certain platforms.
How much do you play Madden? If you only casually play once in a while, it may not be worth the effort hunting down free deals.
Do you care about updated rosters/modes? The new features in each annual release cater towards hardcore fans invested in the latest rosters and modes.
Are you willing to wait? Most legitimate free options involve patience and won‘t get you the game immediately at launch.
I just want to level with you, friend. If you‘re only an occasional Madden player who normally grabs the games when the price drops to $20 or less – trying hard to get Madden 22 for free may not be worth your time.
But if you love Madden and play every year – or simply want to challenge yourself to get this premium game for zero dollars – let‘s do it!
Here are all the best ways to get your hands on Madden NFL 22 in 2022 without paying anything:
1. Try the 10-Hour Free Trial
For the past few years, EA has offered a 10-hour free trial of the new Madden game a few days before launch. This lets you sample all the new features to decide if it‘s worth a purchase.
The Madden 22 free trial will likely be available starting August 12th for Xbox and PlayStation owners. Unfortunately it‘s not offered for the PC version.
To access the trial, you‘ll need an active EA Play subscription. Here‘s how to get one:
Xbox: EA Play is included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which is $14.99/month but can often be found discounted for new subscribers.
PlayStation: Subscribe directly to EA Play for $4.99/month. You can cancel after the trial ends.
Once you have EA Play, you can download the Madden 22 free trial and play for up to 10 hours – plenty of time to experience the new game!
2. Check Amazon Prime Gaming
Amazon‘s Prime Gaming service (formerly Twitch Prime) offers free PC games every month for Prime members. Madden games are sometimes included!
For example, Prime subscribers got Madden NFL 21 and Madden NFL 22 for free in August 2021 and March 2022 respectively.
To claim, link your Amazon Prime and EA accounts, then visit Prime Gaming during the promo periods. You‘ll need an Origin account on PC, as Prime only offers the Origin version not the Steam release.
I recommend bookmarking the Prime Gaming site and checking each month for new Madden deals. There‘s a chance Madden 22 could be offered again later in 2022 leading up to the Super Bowl or new NFL season!
3. Refer Friends for Discounts
Some retailers like Best Buy offer referral programs that give you $10 or $20 credits for getting friends to pre-order upcoming games like Madden 22.
If you refer enough friends to max out the discounts, you could potentially get the full $60 game for free!
For example, Best Buy‘s program gifts a $10 reward certificate for every qualified referral, with a maximum of $60 total. Ask all your gamer friends to pre-order Madden 22 at Best Buy using your referral link before launch. Then use the credits to cover the full purchase price.
Carefully read all terms for referral programs, as there are usually limits on how much credit you can earn. But with some effort, you can seriously reduce the cost.
4. Participate in Giveaways
As Madden 22‘s release approaches, various gaming sites, streamers, and brands will likely be hosting giveaways.
For example, GameStop gifted Madden 21 codes during EA Play Live 2020. Popular Twitch streamers also regularly give away Madden copies provided by EA.
By actively entering as many reputable giveaways as you can, you might just win a free copy of Madden 22!
Most giveaways involve simple actions like following accounts, retweeting posts, or leaving comments rather than pure luck drawings. Complete all the steps to maximize your chances.
I recommend following gaming news accounts on Twitter and YouTube to stay on top of the latest Madden 22 giveaway opportunities as they pop up.
5. GameShare with a Friend (Console Only)
On Xbox and PlayStation, you can access games owned by a friend by game sharing. The steps differ by platform:
PlayStation: Activate your friend‘s account as primary on your PS4/PS5. You can then play their games on your own account.
Xbox: Set your friend‘s account home Xbox on your console. Their digital games become available for you to play.
If a buddy picks up Madden 22 digitally on launch day, get them to setup game sharing with you so you can download their copy. This lets you play for free without buying!
A few warnings: Game sharing violates terms of service. Only do it with people you trust, and avoid sharing with random players online. Also, you can only access the game while that friend isn‘t playing.
But sharing with real-life friends could legitimately get you Madden 22 for no cost on console.
6. Wait for Future Discounts or Free Releases
If you don‘t mind waiting a while, there‘s a chance Madden 22 could be heavily discounted or even free in the future.
For example, Madden 21 became a free Amazon Prime Gaming title in August 2021, almost a full year after launch.
Older Madden games have also been free with Origin Access on PC. Down the road, EA Play or Xbox Game Pass subscribers may get discounted or free access to Madden 22.
Following some patience, you may be able to grab Madden 22 for cheap or even $0 in late 2022 or 2023!
Final Thoughts
Getting the latest $60 Madden release for free takes some effort – but it‘s absolutely possible with the right prep and patience!
Maximize your chances by trying:
- EA Play 10-hour trials
- Amazon Prime Gaming free games
- Retailer referral discounts
- Giveaways and contests
- Console game sharing with a friend
- Waiting for future promotions
At the end of the day, decide how much your time is worth. Only spend hours jumping through hoops if you are really passionate about playing Madden 22 ASAP without spending any cash.
But for dedicated NFL fans up for the challenge, follow the steps in this guide and there‘s a great chance you‘ll be tackling, passing, and hitting the gridiron in Madden NFL 22 without paying a cent!
