EA Sports: Madden NFL 26is confirmed to be releasing in 2025, with multiple editions you may pre-order for different bonuses to the latest entry in the series. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to those who’ve become used to the yearly release schedule of this ongoing sports franchise. However,Madden 26is offering something special this year, giving players more freedom than ever to craft their own football story.
The biggest news surroundingMadden 26’s upcoming releaseis howit comes out simultaneously withCollege Football 26. This marks the first time in many years that both football simulation titles for the NCAA and NFL are coming out together, with some gameplay mechanics linked to one another. With certain editions ofMadden 26, you might have a chance of experiencing another game at the same time.
Madden 26 Release Date & Pre-Orders
Get Different Bonuses For Getting The Game Early
Madden 26isset to release on August 18, 2025,at the same time asCollege Football 26. Those who get a higher edition of the game could play as early as July 18, 2025, due to an Early Access period being offered alongside several other rewards. As of this time of writing,pre-orders are currently live, allowing you to buyMadden 26ahead of time for different bonuses.
Some pre-order bonuses are only earned when you purchaseMadden 26as early as August 11, 2025, giving you a limited time to get exclusive items. Those who purchase the base version ofMadden 26on various systemsearly will at least gain access to these Pre-Order bonuses:
The cover athlete forMadden 26has not been revealed yet, but the points and XP boost are closely related to pre-existing gameplay systems. With the added connectivity toCollege Football 26,having Franchise Coach points or Super Star Legendary XP could be more valuablethan ever. As of April 2025, you can find pre-orders on theEpic Games Store,Steam, or thePlayStation Store, depending on your preferred system.
Madden 26 Editions & Prices
Purchase Deluxe Bundles For More Rewards And Early Access
Different editions of the game will have more rewards through pre-orders, as well as extra bonuses for buying Deluxe or higher versions. Currently, there arethree different editions ofMadden 26you can buy, with each offering more rewards for a higher price tag.
Currently, all editions ofMadden 26are expected to be released on the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Windows, Steam, and the Epic Games Store, and the Nintendo Switch 2. However, more information revealed in June 2025 could change some details.
The following table outlines each edition available forMadden 26, including its price and any bonuses it offers:
$69.99
$99.99
$149.99
Some pre-order bonuses will only be received if you purchase an edition ofMadden 26before a particular deadline. For instance, youhave to pre-order before July 13, 2025, to receive the Season 1 Elite Player Player Itemamong the Deluxe Edition bonuses.
Notably, theMVP Bundle is only available on PlayStation and Xbox platforms, meaning that PC players will have to buyMadden 26andCollege Football 26as separate games. With verylittle information aboutCollege Football 26orMadden 26’s gameplay, it is still unclear which edition is best, as the MVP Bundle costs around the same as both games do independently.
Madden 26 Gameplay Details
Some Hints Reveal New Mechanic Systems May Be Added
As of right now, the general gameplay surroundingMadden 26will likely be familiar mechanics that fans of this sports series should come to expect.Robust controls for individual athletes and a wide variety of coaching optionswill likely be combined with adetailed franchise modethat lets you build your own football dynasty. However, some details mentioned on the officialMadden 26 Websitemay offer insight into new systems in this entry.
Madden 25held a lot of focus on reworking the series' physics mechanics, fine-tuning how athletes moved and made impacts on each other. For example, when running the ball inMadden 25, the game factored in the weight, speed, and acceleration of the ball carrier rather than just focusing on the inputs you chose. According to some light details about the game,Madden 26may shift its focus to
While purely speculative,Madden 26may readjust the way you coach your teamduring a game, adding more mechanics or options into playcalling. The ability tocreate playbooks inMaddengameshas always been a detailed approach to commanding your squad, so perhaps new choices will refine that gameplay feature.
Most modes forMadden 26that existed inMadden 25are expected to return, but with the MVP Bundle including connections toCollege Football 26, there may be a way to mix and match systems for a seamless journey from collegiate football to the professional league.
Madden 26may go the opposite route ofMadden 25, emphasizing explosive plays rather than the fine-tuning of physics interactions. Thiscould mean bigger hits, some building form of momentum, or even some tweaks to single-player journeysto add intensity to your character’s rise to stardom.
The most interesting detail on the official website, though, is the term"QB Authenticity.“This may refer to a variety of things, including additional gameplay elements in the Quarterback position, such as the ability to customize plays on the fly more often. QBs might have more freedom in their movement, passing options, or scrambling opportunities, but this all remains to be seen.
No matter what gameplay elements are added, the core experience of this game is sure to be familiar to fans who’ve kept up with every yearly entry. Those who pre-orderEA Sports: Madden NFL 26ahead of time will get a head start over other players, as the strong bonuses for this title are surely enticing for those looking to get back on the field.
