Look, we've all been there. You're three seasons deep into a rebuild with the Jaguars or the Panthers, and the stadium atmosphere feels... stale. You want a fresh start. You want a brand that doesn't feel like it’s stuck in 2004. For years, the Madden 25 relocation teams were basically a joke. You had a handful of generic logos, three uniform choices that looked like high school practice gear, and you couldn't even pick your own city without jumping through hoops.
It sucked. Honestly.
But things changed with the leap to the newer Frostbite engine updates and the "Team Builder" integration. If you're playing Madden 25 right now, the relocation system isn't just a menu you click through—it’s a massive part of the strategy. You aren't just picking a cool helmet; you're managing market size, fan interest, and stadium ROI.
The Cities That Actually Matter This Year
In the past, you’d just pick London because it was "international." Now? You have to look at the personality of the market. Madden 25 categorizes cities based on their market size and fan loyalty. If you take a team to Tokyo, you’re looking at a massive international fan base, but the loyalty is "Frontrunner." That means if you start losing, your stadium is going to look like a ghost town by Week 10.
Compare that to Columbus or Oklahoma City. These are smaller markets, sure. But the loyalty is "Hardcore." Those fans will show up in a blizzard even if you’re 2-14. It actually affects your weekly revenue, which, if you’re playing on All-Pro or All-Madden with realistic sliders, matters for your scouting budget.
Here is the thing most people miss: The city you choose dictates the stadium types available. You can't just drop a massive open-air canopy in a city where it rains 70% of the time unless you want your players' injury sliders to catch fire.
Madden 25 Relocation Teams and the Brand Refresh
EA finally listened (sort of) regarding the branding. We still have the classics, but the way they've been rendered makes them actually wearable.
The Dublin Celtic Tigers remain a fan favorite because of the green and gold color palette, but have you actually looked at the Rio de Janeiro Aviators uniforms lately? The matte finish on the helmets in the current-gen version of the game is legitimately stunning.
Then you have the London Bulldogs. It’s the "safe" pick. Everyone does it. But if you want something that feels unique, the Paris Musketeers have a clean, modern aesthetic that doesn't feel like a 2012 create-a-team mod.
Why You Should Avoid the "Traditional" Brands
I’m going to be real with you: some of these brands are ugly. The Antlers? Terrible. The Orbits? They look like a defunct Arena Football League team from 1998. If you’re going to spend 20 hours on a franchise mode, don't pick a logo that you’re going to hate looking at by the playoffs.
Instead, look at the Melbourne Pioneers. The color scheme is distinct enough that it doesn't clash with the existing NFL divisions. There is nothing worse than moving a team to a city, picking a blue and silver color scheme, and then realizing you’re just a knock-off version of the Cowboys or Lions.
The Logistics of Moving (It's Not Just About Logos)
To trigger the move, you need to go into your League Settings. Set "Relocation Settings" to Everyone (Can Relocate). If you leave it on "Normal," you have to wait until your stadium rating drops below 20, which takes forever.
Once you initiate it in the preseason, you'll go through a weekly process:
- Select City: Week 1. This is where you weigh market size vs. loyalty.
- Select Name: Week 2. You can keep your existing name (e.g., the Brooklyn Giants) or pick from the three city-specific options.
- Select Uniform: Week 3. Usually, you get a "Home," "Away," and "Alternate."
- Select Stadium: Week 4. This is the big one for your bank account.
The "Future" stadium style is the most expensive but has the highest luxury suite revenue. If you're playing as a "Small Market" owner, you might be tempted to go cheap with a "Basic" stadium. Don't. You'll regret it when you can't afford to re-sign your star QB because your weekly income is in the gutter.
The Most Underrated Spots in Madden 25
Everyone talks about Austin or Mexico City. They’re fine. But if you want a "Narrative" save, try these:
Canton, Ohio. Moving a team to the home of the Hall of Fame feels like a power move. The market is small, but the prestige is high. It’s a "Hardcore" fan base, and building a dynasty there feels earned.
San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Toucans branding is... bold. It’s bright. It’s loud. It’s the exact opposite of the boring, corporate vibe of the New England Patriots. If you want your home games to feel like a party, this is the move.
Vancouver. If you’re moving a team like the Seahawks or the Vikings, Vancouver feels geographically "right." The Mounties uniforms have a classic, rugged look that fits the North.
Dealing with the "Cap Hell" of Relocation
Moving is expensive. When you relocate in Madden 25, you take a massive hit to your funds. If you’re an owner with a "F" grade in personality or funds, you might literally go broke.
I’ve seen players get stuck where they can't offer signing bonuses to free agents because they spent $1.5 billion on a new stadium in St. Louis. You have to balance the books. Sometimes it’s better to pick the "Rebuild" stadium option rather than the "Deluxe" one just to keep your cap space flexible.
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It’s also worth noting that the "Team Builder" website allows for even more customization now. You can technically create a team online and then import them over a relocation slot. This is the "Pro" way to do it. You get better logos, better jerseys, and you aren't limited to the 3-4 presets EA provides.
Making the Final Call
Choosing among the Madden 25 relocation teams is about more than just a fresh coat of paint. It’s about how you want the next ten years of your franchise to feel. Do you want to be the "International Juggernaut" in London with a massive budget and fickle fans? Or do you want to be the "Scrappy Underdog" in a place like Salt Lake City?
The logic in the game has gotten smarter. The fans will actually react to your stadium's amenities. If you don't upgrade the concessions or the parking, your fan satisfaction will tank, and your jersey sales will follow.
Steps for a Successful Relocation:
- Check your Owner Funds immediately. If you have less than $100 million in available cash, wait a season. Win some games, build up some playoff revenue, and then move.
- Ignore the "Suggested" cities. Look at the actual stats. A "Large" market with "Frontrunner" fans is a trap if you aren't ready to win Super Bowls immediately.
- Preview the uniforms online. Don't trust the tiny thumbnails in the game menu. Some of the "Alternate" jerseys have weird neon accents that look terrible once you're actually on the field in a night game.
- Consider the weather. If you pick a city with constant snow, make sure your roster is built for it. A speed-based dome team will struggle in a blizzard-prone open-air stadium in Anchorage.
Relocating is the ultimate way to breathe life into a boring franchise save. Just make sure you've got the cash to back up your ambition. Otherwise, you'll be the owner of a shiny new stadium in a city that hates you, with a roster you can't afford to keep together.
Next time you start a franchise, don't just settle for the same old jerseys. Head to the settings, toggle that relocation switch, and go build something new in a city that actually wants a winner.
Actionable Next Steps:
To maximize your relocation, first enter your Franchise Mode as an Owner, not a Coach or Player. Navigate to the "Manage Staff" and "Stadium" tabs to check your current stadium's "Rating." If it is above 20 and you are using "Normal" settings, you cannot move. Immediately change your league settings to "All Users" under Relocation Settings to bypass this. Once you reach the regular season, check your "Things To Do" list every week starting in Week 1 to ensure you don't miss the specific windows for choosing your city, name, and uniforms, as missing one week will result in the game choosing a default option for you.