Just weeks after the very successful release of College Football 26, EA Sports is coming right back to professional football with Madden 26, and its release date is rapidly approaching. There’s a lot to know about the next Madden game, as EA has made some crucial changes to core elements of the gameplay experience. These include alterations to Franchise Mode, improved mechanics, and overall quality-of-life changes that fans have been asking for.

Before you officially get your hands on Madden 26, though, there are a few important pieces of information you’ll want to know. After all, how are you going to play if you don’t know when the game is launching or what editions are being offered? Below, you can see the early access and worldwide release date for Madden 26, how to preorder one of its editions,, and some of the key changes EA has made in its latest installment of the famed franchise.

When will Madden 26 be released?

Fortunately, you don’t have to wait too much longer to boot up EA’s newest football game. After being formally announced in April, Madden 26 is officially launching on August 14. However, if you preorder a specific edition of the game, then you can receive up to seven days of early access.

The early access release date allows players who are willing to spend a little extra money to gain a headstart. The entire game is open and playable during the early access period, including Madden Ultimate Team. Early access players will also be able to complete special Early Access Solo Challenges, which aren’t available to other players.

How to preorder Madden 26

If you want to participate in the early access period for Madden 26, or simply want to ensure you can start playing right when the game launches, you’ll want to preorder an edition. Preordering allows you to pre-download Madden 26 before it releases, and as mentioned, can get you early access if you preorder the correct version.

On any platform, you can preorder Madden 26 by going to your system’s marketplace (PS Store, Microsoft Store, Nintendo Store, Steam, Epic Games Store, EA App). You can also visit the official Madden 26 website and place your preorder by following the steps on the screen.

If you decide to preorder, you’ll need to pick an edition to buy. For lots more, be sure to consult GameSpot’s Madden 26 preorder guide.

If you already own College Football 26, you’ll want to stick with the Madden 26 Deluxe Edition, as the main draw of the MVP Bundle is that it also includes a copy of CFB 26. You can also preorder the Madden 26 Standard Edition for some extra content, but you won’t get early access with your purchase.

Watch the Madden 26 trailer here

If you’re curious about seeing some gameplay of Madden 26 before you decide to make a purchase, or to just build your hype a bit, you can see the official trailer for the game below.

The trailer, which was released on June 4, showcases some of the new content coming to the game, including cover athlete Saquon Barkley’s backwards jump mechanic. However, if you’re interested in Franchise Mode, we recommend checking out the Franchise Deep Dive trailer for Madden 26. This offers an in-depth look at all of the changes EA has made to the mode.

Madden 26 platforms

Madden 26 is arriving on all major platforms that one might expect in 2025. You can play the football game on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.

This is the first time that a Madden game has arrived on a Nintendo Switch console. With the recent release of the Switch 2, EA is making use of the upgraded technology of the console to make Madden 26 playable. If you want to see how Madden 26 plays on the Switch 2, make sure to check out our early preview of the game on the console.

If you’re going to play on PC, you have the option of playing on Steam, Epic Games, or the EA App for Windows. The PC platform you use doesn’t make a huge difference, so pick whichever one you’re more comfortable with. However, the EA App often discounts the Madden games before and after they are released, so going through that platform could mean a slight price reduction for you.

Madden 26 gameplay changes

As you might expect with a new Madden game, the core gameplay experience is remaining the same in Madden 26. Franchise Mode, Madden Ultimate Team, Superstar Mode, and Quick Play are all coming back to give you a variety of different ways to play. All 32 NFL teams and all of the players on those teams will be included and playable, just like any other year, as well.

However, Madden 26 is changing up its game modes in several ways and has also added some new gameplay mechanics. The highlight of these mechanics is the backwards jump made famous by Eagles running back Saquon Barkley in a 2024 regular season game. Player movement as a whole has also been changed in Madden 26, offering a snappier and more explosive feel. Be careful not to get trucked, though, as EA has added more physics-based interactions to make collisions more realistic.

On the field in Madden 26, you’ll see more team- and fan-specific elements than ever. These include special team art, fan traditions, and special stadium anthems to make you feel like you’re really attending an NFL game. All 32 NFL teams have been taken into account, so no matter where you play, you’ll see some kind of unique element.

Franchise Mode has been updated in a few major ways in Madden 26. You can now choose one of four Coach Archetypes before starting the mode if you create your own coach, which is something College Football 26 fans are familiar with. These Coach Archetypes can then be upgraded with new abilities as you progress with your Franchise. Abilities change how your coach operates and what strengths they have access to. You can customize all aspects of your coaching style with these abilities.

However, Franchise Mode still offers the chance to take control of your favorite NFL head coach if you want their specific strengths. NFL head coaches still have access to the new abilities, but now, your coordinators matter more than ever. If you design or pick an offensive-minded head coach, you’ll want more input from a good defensive coordinator on a week-to-week basis. Speaking of which, Franchise Mode now offers Weekly Gameplans, which can be used to meticulously plan for an upcoming opponent. You can read EA’s Franchise Deep Dive blog for more details on the mode.

Finally, Madden 26 is once again changing some parts about its Superstar Mode, which acts as the “story” mode in Madden 26 and allows you to create your own player and rise through the ranks of the NFL. Like last year, Madden 26 allows you the ability to transfer your College Football 26 Road to Glory players into Superstar Mode, giving you the chance to continue using your created players.

Superstar Mode also now features Career Chapters for more progression and added consequences to your actions. You can use the Sphere of Influence in conjunction with the Career Chapters to see how your player is performing in the eyes of the coaches and fans. It all seems very intuitive and should provide Superstar players with added layers of depth during their playthroughs. You can read more about those systems and the other changes in Superstar Mode in EA’s blog.