EA Announces Release Dates and Platforms for College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26

Feel the excitement building as football fans gear up for the much-anticipated NFL draft this Thursday night. It’s a cornerstone event in the offseason of America’s most beloved sport, and this year, Electronic Arts has jumped into the fray with a captivating draft-themed advertisement for EA Sports College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26. Alongside this, they’ve unveiled the games’ release dates set for this summer.

In the two-and-a-half-minute ad titled “The Call,” audiences are introduced to a fictional wide receiver, J.D. Matthews Jr., as his dreams come to life. Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn reaches out to the player, informing him of his selection as the 29th overall pick. With a narrative that outlines Matthews Jr.’s resilient journey through his high school and college years, the ad captures the powerful swell of emotions reflected on the face of this Texas Longhorns standout.

The NFL draft stands as a pivotal intersection for college football stars and their professional careers. It’s a moment where ambitions are crystallized, laying the groundwork for what lies ahead in the NFL. Those on the receiving end of that life-altering phone call are reminded, as Quinn conveys to Matthews Jr., that this is just the start of a challenging and unpredictable path.

EA tantalizes football enthusiasts with the opportunity to relive this intense journey via EA Sports College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26. They revealed on Thursday that the latest College Football incarnation will go live on July 10 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Hot on its heels, Madden will launch on August 14, expanding its reach to Nintendo Switch 2 and Windows PC, alongside the PS5 and Xbox Series X.

Interestingly, EA is stepping away from last-gen consoles, marking Madden NFL 25 in 2024 as the last release for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. For Nintendo fans, Madden NFL 26’s presence on Switch 2 breaks a 13-year absence, the last being a pared-down version of Madden NFL 13 for the Wii U at its 2012 debut. While details about new features or modes for Madden remain under wraps, we’ve reached out to EA for further insights into how the Switch 2 version stands against its PC/PS5/Xbox counterparts, and we’re poised to update once we get feedback.

Pre-orders are now live for both College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26 across platforms. Although the Switch 2 version isn’t available through EA’s site, Amazon is offering pre-orders for a game-key card “physical” edition. Die-hard fans have the option of snagging both titles in the discounted MVP Bundle, sold digitally for PS5 and Xbox Series X at $149.99, saving $50 in comparison to separate purchases. This bundle provides deluxe editions of both games, coupled with a plethora of in-game bonuses for popular modes like Ultimate Team, Road to Glory, Dynasty, Franchise, and Superstar. Additionally, each Deluxe Edition offers exclusive early access three days before the official release. More details on pre-order perks can be found on the official College Football and Madden websites.