Tom Brady, James Harden, Cody Rhodes Among Stars to Participate in $2M Fanatics Games

Tom Brady knows a little something about defending his crown as a seven-time Super Bowl champion who won back-to-back Lombardi Trophies during the 2003 and 2004 seasons, and he will be back to defend a different type of title this summer.

The legendary quarterback will be joined by James Harden, Rob Gronkowski, UFC fighter Justin Gaethje, and WWE stars Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan, among other athletes, at the Fanatics Games at Fanatics Fest 2026.

Fanatics Fest will take place in New York City from July 16–19 and is bringing back the Fanatics Games that pit everyday fans against athletes in cross-sport competitions. While last year's contest featured a $1 million prize, this year's will double that with a $2 million prize.

In addition to the notable athletes, last year's fan champion in Matt Dennish will also be back for the competition.

Brady won last year's event that included Kevin Durant, Joe Burrow, Eli Manning, Harden, Travis Hunter and CeeDee Lamb. The Hall of Famer said he would give $5,000 to every fan who competed in the event instead of keeping the $1 million prize for himself after the victory.

Participants battled in events that tested their quarterback skills, basketball shooting ability, baseball pitching and more, and this year's Fanatics Games will include an expanded format to go with the bigger prize money.

"In 2026, the competition returns bigger, faster, and more competitive than ever with streamlined scoring, enhanced gameplay, and a production experience built for both in-venue excitement and global livestream audiences," Fanatics announced in a press release.

Another new change will give fans the opportunity to participate in in-person qualifiers at various Dick's House of Sport locations across the country. Those who finish in the top three in the sport-specific challenge tied to the 2026 format will earn a spot in the Fanatics Games, while other fans who cannot attend the qualifiers can compete through the video application process.

The in-person qualifier events will take place in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 9; Kennesaw, Georgia on May 30; Houston on June 13; and Boston on June 28.

It will all culminate in New York City where Brady and the other athletes will be waiting.