NFL Rivals Year 3 Update Brings New Cards and Game Modes

NFL Rivals is preparing for one of its biggest overhauls yet. On August 20 at 3 AM ET, the blockchain-powered football title by Mythical Games enters Year 3, bringing a ton of improvements designed to make gameplay smoother, progression more balanced, and PvP more exciting. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer looking for a sports title with play-to-own mechanics, Year 3 of NFL Rivals is shaping up to be a major turning point.

Let’s break down all the exciting changes—and what they mean for you as a player.

What Is NFL Rivals?

NFL Rivals is a free-to-play blockchain game officially licensed by the NFL. It mixes collectible NFT cards with arcade-style football action, letting you create your dream team and compete in 3D PvP matches. Each card represents an NFL player with unique stats, and as you collect, upgrade, and trade cards, you shape your competitive strategy.

The game has already attracted over 6 million downloads across iOS and Android, thanks in part to its user-friendly approach to Web3 elements. Cards can be bought, sold, and traded through the Mythical Marketplace, but players can still enjoy the game without spending money.

Now, Year 3 is set to enhance that experience significantly.

Why the Game Needed a Year 3 Overhaul

During Year 2, the developers noticed something troubling—new players weren’t sticking around. The learning curve was steep, and the gap between casual newcomers and seasoned veterans often made the game feel pay-to-win. That’s why Mythical Games is using Year 3 as a fresh start for everyone.

With major changes coming to Leagues, cards, crafting, and even core gameplay systems, NFL Rivals is setting itself up to be more fair, fun, and rewarding—without needing to swipe your credit card at every turn.

Year 3 Changes at a Glance

Here’s a high-level summary of what’s coming in NFL Rivals Year 3:

• ✅ Base Cards are being retired

• 🔒 Locked Cards and 🪙 Mint Tokens are being introduced

• 💥 Upgrade system overhaul

• 🏟️ New Stadiums Mode for unlimited PvP

• 📈 Revamped Leagues and improved Events

• 🧬 Synergy reset, Crafting and Squads rework

• 🧾 Over 800 new cards across all 32 teams

Let’s take a closer look at each major update.

Locked Cards, Mint Tokens, and the End of Base Cards

Base Cards—the original, outdated cards—are officially being phased out. After August 20, all Base Cards will convert to Training Points, and Training Tokens will become Rank Up Tokens. That paves the way for a cleaner, more competitive environment.

Locked Cards are the new default. These are cards you can’t sell or trade (they’re off-chain), but you can still level them up and use them in your lineup. If you want to turn a locked card into an NFT, you’ll need a Mint Token. These tokens aren’t tied to a specific card—they’re based on rarity, giving players more flexibility.

This system allows Mythical Games to lower pack prices and improve card drops, making the game more accessible for new players.

Upgraded Upgrade System

Say goodbye to Milestones—and hello to Ranks. Upgrading player cards now revolves around earning Card XP (CXP). To get CXP, you’ll need to burn other cards, including rare LEs. Minted cards burn slower (since they’re on-chain), but they give you more CXP.

To move up the Ranks, you’ll need either Rank Up Tokens or cards of the same player. You can even combine the two. New Season 3 cards also come with 5 bonus levels, an extra rank, and a unique star status.

Stadiums Mode: Unlimited PvP Action

One of the most exciting additions in Year 3 is Stadiums Mode, a new PvP format that emphasizes skill-based matchmaking and lets you play as much as you want—no energy limits.

Here’s what Stadiums Mode includes:

• 🔁 Unlimited matches—no fuel system

• 🏟️ 10 Stadiums, each with unique modifiers and difficulty

• 💰 Entry via Coins, progression via Trophies

• 🎁 Crates with rewards based on wins and progress

Whether you're grinding Coins or just looking for non-stop action, this mode is a massive leap forward for competitive blockchain games.

Revamped Leagues and More Dynamic Events

Leagues are getting a big makeover. Gone are the daily match requirements. Your League ranking will now depend on how many Coins you win in Stadiums and Events. Want to climb higher? Earn bonus cards from Crates to boost your standing.

Each League now lasts 7 days, offering more time for strategy and rewards. Events will also require Coins to enter, and will scale in difficulty based on your League Division—so you’ll always have a challenge that matches your level.

Crafting, Synergy, and Squads Evolve

Crafting takes on new importance in Year 3. With locked cards becoming central, crafting them into stronger versions and synergizing your squad will be vital. Speaking of synergy—Year 2 Synergy Cash won’t carry over, and only minted cards will have synergy moving forward.

Squads are also evolving. Squad rankings will now reflect each member’s performance in Events and Stadiums, adding more weight to your individual contributions.

800+ New Cards and a New Era

To cap things off, NFL Rivals Year 3 is launching with a brand-new set of over 800 cards, covering every one of the 32 NFL teams. Each team gets one legendary card with 145-150 Power—locked by default, but ready to be minted, trained, and used in your dream squad.

These cards set “the new standard” for what an NFL Rivals card should be. And with all players essentially starting from scratch, there’s no better time to jump into this evolving ecosystem of blockchain games.

How to Play and Earn in NFL Rivals

Want to play and earn? Here’s how:

1. Download the game on Android or iOS

2. Collect player cards by playing, trading, or buying

3. Compete in PvP and Events to earn Coins and Crates

4. Upgrade and mint your cards to create a top-tier team

5. Climb the leaderboards to earn better rewards

Year 3 makes earning more approachable with locked cards, lower pack costs, and clearer upgrade paths. While we’re still waiting on full details about how to earn and use Mint Tokens, Mythical Games has promised more info soon.

Final Thoughts

With a massive overhaul coming in August, NFL Rivals Year 3 looks like a defining moment—not just for the game, but for sports-based blockchain gaming as a whole. From reimagined upgrades to skill-focused PvP and more accessible systems, it’s the kind of fresh start that could turn a good game into a great one.

Ready to jump in? Build your squad, hit the stadiums, and take your place in the future of blockchain games.