Summary

  • Madden NFL 26 is rumored to launch on August 14 with three days of early access for those purchasing the Deluxe Edition.
  • As Madden NFL 25 has been confirmed for the Switch 2, many wonder if the upcoming game will also come to Nintendo's new console.

According to a prominent leaker, Madden NFL 26 will launch on August 14, with three days of early access available for those purchasing the Deluxe Edition. While EA has not provided any concrete information regarding the release of Madden NFL 26, fans are already eager to snag the next title in the long-running franchise.

The most recent title in the series, Madden NFL 25, was released in August 2024 and featured several new gameplay mechanics for the franchise, including a revamped Hit Stick, hundreds of new moves, and signature playstyles for specific football stars. The title also introduced the BOOM Tech Tackling System, making tackle interactions more realistic when compared to past games. Despite Madden NFL 25 implementing several major updates since its launch, the title continues to face criticism from players, with many frustrated by the game's bugs and lack of innovation. The time has come to look to the future, as the release date for Madden NFL 26 has seemingly leaked ahead of an official announcement from EA.

aoc-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-facing-tim-walz-in-madden-nfl-25-twitch-stream
AOC Announces Madden NFL 25 Twitch Stream With Tim Walz

Ahead of Election Day, US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will face off against vice presidential candidate Tim Walz in Madden NFL 25.

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According to the well-known leaker and Dealabs writer billbil-kun (and spotted by VGC), Madden NFL 26 will launch on August 14, which coincides with the start of the NFL's Preseason. Additionally, purchasing the Deluxe Edition will provide players with three days of early access, and those with EA Play or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will gain access to a 10-hour trial starting on August 11. An official announcement is expected to come during April, which will also include the planned launch platforms for the highly anticipated title. Despite its flaws, Madden NFL 25 was one of the best-selling games of 2024, and its successor will likely follow in its footsteps.

Madden NFL 26 Leaked Release Date

  • August 14, 2025

The biggest question on many players' minds is whether Madden NFL 26 will be released for the Nintendo Switch 2. No Madden NFL titles have been released for Nintendo systems since 2012, though it was recently confirmed that Madden NFL 25 would be released for the Switch 2, inspiring many to believe that future games may also make the leap. While Madden NFL 26 is expected to launch for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, it's possible that EA may forgo PlayStation 4 and Xbox One ports, though fans will need to wait for official confirmation.

Ahead of the game's release, many in the franchise's community wonder if Madden NFL 26 will contain the infamous Madden Curse. Several times in the past, Madden NFL c over stars have been injured during a game's respective season, or otherwise played poorly.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image
Madden NFL 25 Tag Page Cover Art
7 /10

Madden NFL 25
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Sports
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Systems
PlayStation-1 Xbox-1 PC-1
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Top Critic Avg: 69 /100 Critics Rec: 34%
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Released
August 16, 2024
ESRB
E For Everyone
Developer(s)
EA Tiburon
Publisher(s)
EA
Engine
Frostbite
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer, Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
Cross-Platform Play
Yes. PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

Genre(s)
Sports