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

Get ready for some football action! While the NFL season never truly sleeps, the offseason’s main highlight is the NFL draft, kicking off Thursday night. In celebration, Electronic Arts (EA) has unveiled a draft-themed commercial for its upcoming releases: EA Sports College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26. Along with the announcement, they confirmed the games will hit the shelves this summer.

The two-and-a-half-minute spot, titled “The Call,” features prominently during the draft’s broadcast on ABC, ESPN, and the NFL Network. It centers around a fictional wide receiver, J.D. Matthews Jr. The ad captures the rollercoaster of emotions he experiences when Dan Quinn, coach of the Washington Commanders, calls to draft him with the 29th overall pick. As Quinn recounts Matthews Jr.’s journey—from high school to his rise as a standout player for the Texas Longhorns—the anticipation and excitement are visibly etched on Matthews Jr.’s face.

The draft symbolizes a pivotal transition from college football to the NFL for many NCAA players, presenting a chance for them to begin their professional careers—a dream they’ve chased for years. For the select few, that call on draft day signifies a turning point, marking the start of new opportunities and challenges. “The work’s just starting,” warns Quinn, setting the tone for his newest recruit’s professional journey.

EA’s latest pitch invites football enthusiasts to dive into this exciting journey by playing both EA Sports College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26. On Thursday, the company revealed that the new College Football installment, previously known as NCAA Football, will launch on July 10 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Madden fans can look forward to its release on August 14, also on Nintendo Switch 2 and Windows PC, alongside PS5 and Xbox Series X.

For players still clutching their PS4s and Xbox Ones, there’s some news. Madden NFL 25, released in 2024, will mark the final appearance on these consoles. In a nod to Nintendo fans, Madden NFL 26 will arrive on the Switch 2, resurrecting the series on Nintendo platforms after a nearly 13-year hiatus. The last time was with Madden NFL 13 on the Wii U back in 2012. While there’s no detailed info on the new Madden’s modes and features yet, EA has promised updates soon. We reached out to EA to inquire whether the Switch 2 version will match the features of its counterparts on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X, and we’ll update as soon as we have more info.

If you’re eager to get your hands on these games, pre-orders for both College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26 are open on all platforms. Although the Switch 2 version isn’t available directly from EA’s website, Amazon offers a game-key card for a “physical” copy. For those looking for savings, the MVP Bundle offers a great deal. Available only digitally for PS5 and Xbox Series X, this bundle includes the deluxe editions of both college and pro games for $149.99, saving you $50 from purchasing them individually at $99.99 each. Besides, you’ll snag a bunch of in-game bonuses across popular modes like Ultimate Team, Road to Glory, Dynasty, Franchise, and Superstar. Plus, each Deluxe Edition grants you three days of early access. Check out the complete list of pre-order perks on the College Football and Madden websites.