Madden NFL 26

Madden NFL 26
Standard edition cover featuring Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley
Developer	EA Orlando
Publisher	EA Sports
Series	Madden NFL
Engine	Frostbite
Platforms	Nintendo Switch 2 PlayStation 5 Windows Xbox Series X/S
Release	August 14, 2025
Genre	Sports
Modes	Single-player, multiplayer

Madden NFL 26 is an American football video game developed by EA Orlando and published by EA Sports. Based on the National Football League (NFL), it is the 36th installment of the Madden NFL series, following Madden NFL 25 .

The game was announced on April 24, 2025, and was released on August 14, 2025 for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S. ^{[1] [2]} With a simultaneous launch on Nintendo Switch 2, it is the first Madden entry to be released on a Nintendo console since Madden NFL 13 on Wii U and Wii. ^[3] It is also the first entry to exclusively launch on ninth-generation home consoles, and the first in the franchise not to be released on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, following Madden NFL 25. ^[4]

On June 2, 2025, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley was announced as the cover athlete for the game. ^{[5] [6]} The cover is inspired by Barkley's "reverse hurdle" over Jarrian Jones from the 2024 season. ^[7] He is the second Eagles player to be on the Madden cover and the first since Donovan McNabb for Madden NFL 06 . ^[8]

This is the first entry in the Madden franchise to recognize long snapper as a distinct position. ^[9]

Gameplay

There are several modes of gameplay. They include: ^{[10] [11]}

• Ultimate Team – In this mode, you can build your own dream team using NFL Legends and current, real-life NFL players. You then can compete online with other Madden users. ^[10]

• Franchise – In this mode, you pick a team to coach. You control everything regarding the team, including drafting players, what plays to run during a game, and the order of the depth chart. ^[10]

• Superstar – In this mode, you create a player at whatever position you like. You participate in the NFL Combine and hope to get drafted by an NFL team. Once you do, there are weekly goals and challenges. You also control your player during games. The goal of this mode is to become a superstar and make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. ^[10]

Reception

Reception

Aggregate scores

Aggregator	Score
Metacritic	(PS5) 77/100 [12] (XSXS) 81/100 [13] (NS2) 77/100 [14]
OpenCritic	68% recommend [15]

Review scores

Publication	Score
Game Informer	6/10 [16]
GameSpot	8/10 [17]
GamesRadar+	4/5 [18]
IGN	8/10 [19]
Nintendo Life	8/10 [20]
Nintendo World Report	8/10 [21]
Shacknews	7/10 [22]

Madden NFL 26 received "generally favorable" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic. ^{[12] [13] [14]} OpenCritic determined that 68% of critics recommend the game. ^[15]

References

1. Van Allen, Eric (April 24, 2025). "Madden NFL 26 Locks in Release Date, Hits Nintendo Switch 2 but Ditches PS4 and Xbox One". IGN . Retrieved June 20, 2025.
2. Wutz, Marco (April 29, 2025). "Madden NFL 26 release date, editions, and preorder bonuses". ESPN . Retrieved June 20, 2025.
3. Bitner, Jon (April 24, 2025). "Madden NFL 26 For Switch 2 - Preorder First Entry For A Nintendo Console In 13 Years". GameSpot . Retrieved April 24, 2025.
4. Sarkar, Samit (April 24, 2025). "It's only April, but EA's NFL draft ad got me excited for football season". Polygon . Retrieved April 25, 2025.
5. McManus, Tim (June 2, 2025). "Eagles RB Saquon Barkley lands Madden cover with iconic leap". ESPN. Archived from the original on June 4, 2025. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
6. Backus, Will (June 2, 2025). "'Madden NFL 26' cover reveal: Saquon Barkley's mesmerizing backwards hurdle featured on latest installment". CBS Sports . Retrieved June 20, 2025.
7. "Eagles RB Saquon Barkley's reverse hurdle to grace cover of 'Madden NFL 26'". Fox Sports . June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
8. McPherson, Chris (June 2, 2025). "Saquon Barkley is the cover athlete for Madden NFL 26". Philadelphia Eagles . Retrieved June 20, 2025.
9. Rosenstein, Greg (September 19, 2025). "The NFL's most thankless role has a perk — the best job security". NBC News. Yahoo Sports. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
10. "Madden NFL 26". EA Sports. Electronic Arts. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
11. "Madden NFL 26 Review". IGN. IGN. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
12. "Madden NFL 26 for PlayStation 5 Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved August 16, 2025.
13. "Madden NFL 26 for Xbox Series X Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved August 18, 2025.
14. "Madden NFL 26 for Nintendo Switch 2 Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved September 4, 2025.
15. "Madden NFL 26 Reviews". OpenCritic. 2025-08-21. Retrieved 2025-11-01.
16. Shea, Brian (August 13, 2025). "Madden NFL 26 Review". Game Informer . Retrieved August 16, 2025.
17. Delaney, Mark (August 12, 2025). "Madden NFL 26 Review – The Best Madden In Years". GameSpot . Retrieved August 16, 2025.
18. Wilson, Ben (August 12, 2025). "Madden 26 review: "The finest entry in a decade by some margin"". GamesRadar+ . Retrieved August 16, 2025.
19. Borger, Will (August 14, 2025). "Madden NFL 26 Review". IGN . Retrieved August 16, 2025.
20. O'Reilly, PJ (August 8, 2025). "EA SPORTS Madden NFL 26 Review". Nintendo Life . Retrieved August 16, 2025.
21. Ronaghan, Neal (August 14, 2025). "Madden NFL 26 (Switch 2) Review". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
22. Erskine, Donovan (August 21, 2025). "Madden NFL 26 review: Contract year". Shacknews . Retrieved August 31, 2025.