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

Are you pumped for some football action? America’s favorite sport doesn’t really have an off-season, and this week marks a key event in the calendar, the NFL draft. It kicks off Thursday night, and to celebrate, Electronic Arts has dropped an impressive draft-themed ad to spotlight their upcoming releases: EA Sports College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26. Alongside this ad, they’ve also confirmed that both games will be hitting the shelves this summer.

In a captivating two-and-a-half-minute commercial titled “The Call,” set to air during the draft on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network, viewers are introduced to a fictional wide receiver named J.D. Matthews Jr. The ad captures the whirlwind moment when Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn rings Matthews up to announce that the team is selecting him as the 29th overall draft pick. As Quinn narrates Matthews Jr.’s journey through high school and college football, we witness the raw emotions etched on the young Texas Longhorns star’s face.

The NFL draft represents a pivotal moment for college football athletes aiming to transition into the professional realm. For those who receive the coveted call on draft day, it signifies the realization of a dream, a testament to years of dedication, and the beginning of a new chapter filled with both opportunities and uncertainties. “The work’s just starting,” Quinn advises his new recruit, underscoring the challenges that lay ahead.

With EA Sports College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26, EA invites fans to dive into this thrilling journey from college to the pros. They’ve announced College Football 26 will be released on July 10 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Madden follows on August 14 and will be available on Nintendo Switch 2, Windows PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X.

This year marks a shift for EA as they bid farewell to last-gen consoles, concluding with Madden NFL 25 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2024. Notably, Madden NFL 26 returns to a Nintendo console with the Switch 2, ending a drought since Madden NFL 13 launched with Wii U back in November 2012. We’re still waiting on some specifics about the game’s features, particularly regarding any differences between the Switch 2 version and other platforms, but fingers crossed for a uniform experience.

Pre-orders are now open across all platforms for College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26. Although EA’s site doesn’t currently offer the Switch 2 version, Amazon does have a “physical” game-key card version available for pre-order. For those eager to snag both games, there’s a digital MVP Bundle available exclusively on PS5 and Xbox Series X, offering deluxe versions of each title for $149.99—a $50 savings compared to buying them separately. Along with a bunch of cool in-game perks for modes like Ultimate Team, Road to Glory, Dynasty, Franchise, and Superstar, the Deluxe Editions grant three days of early access. Check out the full list of pre-order bonuses on the official websites for College Football and Madden.