Madden NFL 26 Release Date Leaked

Image via EA Sports

The gridiron action is heating up early this year, due to an accurate leak regarding Madden NFL 26's release date. According to Dealabs' accurate informant billbil-kun, who is known for reliably predicting gaming releases, EA Sports is preparing to launch the next installment of its flagship football game on August 14, 2025.

This release would knowingly coincide with the opening of the NFL preseason, setting the tone for fans just weeks before the regular season begins on September 4.

But that's not all: if you want to jump in before everyone else, you'll have options. A Deluxe Edition of Madden NFL 26 is set to include three days of early access starting August 11. Additionally, EA Play subscribers, including those with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, will apparently receive a 10-hour early trial beginning the same day.

An formal announcement from EA is expected later this week, which should confirm platform availability. What's the major question? Whether Madden NFL 26 will be the series' premiere on the highly anticipated Switch 2. Nintendo fans have been waiting for the series' return to their platforms for more than a decade, since Madden NFL 13 debuted on the Wii and Wii U in 2012.

Earlier this month, EA Sports confirmed that Madden will eventually come to the Switch 2, although it is unclear whether this year's edition will be the first, or if players will have to wait for a future version—or a custom build—down the line.

Another important information that fans are looking for is if Madden NFL 26 will still support PS4 and Xbox One, or if EA will follow the route of the upcoming F1 25, which will skip last-gen totally in favor of PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Stay tuned for EA's formal statement; until then, consider the huddle formed and the buzz real.