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

Are you excited for some football action? While it seems like football is always in season in America, one of the standout events during the offseason is the NFL draft, which kicks off Thursday night. To celebrate, Electronic Arts has released a captivating draft-themed ad for their upcoming games, EA Sports College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26, and confirmed they’ll be hitting shelves this summer.

The engaging two-and-a-half-minute commercial titled “The Call” is set to air during the draft coverage on major networks like ABC, ESPN, and the NFL Network. It centers around a fictional wide receiver named J.D. Matthews Jr. The ad gives us a glimpse into his emotional journey as he receives a life-changing call from Dan Quinn, the head coach of the Washington Commanders. The moment Quinn informs Matthews Jr. of his selection as the 29th overall pick in the draft, we are taken on a nostalgia-filled ride through his football career in high school and college. The emotional rollercoaster is beautifully captured on the face of the Texas Longhorns star.

The NFL draft marks a pivotal transition from college football to the pros, where top NCAA players dream of stepping into the world of professional football. For those fortunate enough to get that call on draft day, it’s a realization of their dreams and a fresh start brimming with opportunities and challenges. As Quinn aptly puts it, “The work’s just starting,” reminding Matthews Jr. of the journey that lies ahead.

With EA Sports College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26, fans can relive this thrilling experience. EA announced that the latest edition of the game, previously known as NCAA Football, will be launched on July 10 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, with Madden following on August 14. This time, Madden will also be available on the new Nintendo Switch 2 and Windows PC, in addition to PS5 and Xbox Series X.

This release marks a notable change as EA moves past the last-gen consoles. The 2024 edition, Madden NFL 25, was the swan song for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in this long-running series. Interestingly, Madden NFL 26 heralds the return of the franchise to Nintendo platforms for the first time since Madden NFL 13 graced the Wii U in November 2012. EA hasn’t yet divulged much about the game’s features and modes this year, but we’re keeping tabs and will share updates, especially regarding whether the Switch 2 version will match its PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X counterparts.

You can now pre-order both College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26 on all systems. While the Switch 2 version is elusive on EA’s official site, Amazon is accepting pre-orders for a physical game-key card. Those eager to grab both titles might consider the MVP Bundle. Available exclusively in digital format on PS5 and Xbox Series X, this bundle brings the deluxe editions of both games for $149.99, saving $50 compared to buying them individually at $99.99 each. Along with numerous in-game bonuses across modes like Ultimate Team, Road to Glory, Dynasty, Franchise, and Superstar, you also get a three-day head start with early access. The complete list of pre-order extras can be found on the official College Football and Madden websites.