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McKinney Today
By the People, for the People
Texas Gamer Wins Madden Bowl and $250,000 Prize
26-year-old Drini Gjoka of McKinney overcame a 13th-place ranking to become the Madden Bowl champion.
Published on Feb. 16, 2026
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A North Texas gamer named Drini Gjoka, who was ranked 13th going into the Madden Bowl, ended up winning the tournament and the $250,000 grand prize. Gjoka, a 26-year-old from McKinney, has been playing professionally since graduating high school and has now earned over $760,000 in his gaming career.
Why it matters
The Madden Bowl is one of the premier esports tournaments, and Gjoka's victory highlights the growing professionalization and lucrative nature of competitive gaming. His story serves as an inspiration for young gamers who aspire to turn their passion into a career.
The details
Gjoka was ranked 13th going into the Madden Bowl, but he was able to overcome the odds and emerge victorious, taking home the $250,000 grand prize. He said the win was a "crazy accomplishment" and that he has "never even sniffed" an amount that large before. Gjoka has been playing professionally since graduating high school, and his career has already earned him over $760,000.
- Gjoka won the Madden Bowl on February 15, 2026.
The players
Drini Gjoka
A 26-year-old professional gamer from McKinney, Texas who won the 2026 Madden Bowl and its $250,000 grand prize.
What they’re saying
“The winner ended up making $250,000, which ended up being myself. So it was a crazy accomplishment. And this is an amount that I have never even sniffed before. This is an insane amount. So $250,000 going home, I don't know how to process all that.”
— Drini Gjoka, 2026 Madden Bowl Champion (NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth)
“It's crazy that Madden actually ended up, you know, being the reason that I have a house myself, that's really, really nice. I am so appreciative for everything EA has done for my life.”
— Drini Gjoka, 2026 Madden Bowl Champion (NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth)
What’s next
Gjoka plans to continue competing in high-stakes Madden tournaments, with the goal of defending his Madden Bowl title in the future.
The takeaway
Gjoka's Cinderella story at the Madden Bowl demonstrates the life-changing potential of professional gaming. His victory, coming from a 13th-place ranking, shows that with enough dedication and skill, anyone can rise to the top of the esports world and earn life-changing sums of money.
