On the Spot: Natasha Wheatley JamesHoare Mon, 08/18/2025 - 08:56

Experience all-new QB DNA and Coach DNA, Signature Quarterback Play, Adaptive Coaching, explosive movement, and true NFL presentation as Madden NFL 26 launches for the first time on Nintendo Switch 2 and Amazon Luna. REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Just in time for the NFL season, Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) and EA SPORTS™ have released EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 26 — the most explosive, authentic, and immersive football experience in franchise history. Built from Sundays and powered by AI-driven systems trained on thousands of real NFL plays, the game debuts all-new QB and Coach DNA for player-specific traits, signature playstyles, and adaptive strategy. Players will experience dynamic Football Weather, enhanced physics-based gameplay, and deeper customization across Franchise and Superstar modes — all on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch™2, Amazon Luna, and PC.Madden NFL 26 Available Now“Madden NFL 26 is a true leap forward in authenticity and control,” said Daryl Holt, SVP and Group GM, EA SPORTS. “With smarter quarterbacks, adaptive coaching AI, and our breakthrough QB DNA and Coach DNA systems, every snap feels true to the NFL fans love. Explosive movement, dynamic weather, and authentic stadium atmospheres capture the passion and drama of the game. And with Madden NFL 26 now on Nintendo Switch 2, we’re bringing that unmatched realism and energy to more fans than ever before.”Through a new partnership with Nintendo announced in the spring, EA SPORTS brings the authentic Madden NFL experience to Nintendo Switch 2 for the first time. By launching on Nintendo’s console, Madden NFL 26 expands its reach to a broader, more diverse audience—offering explosive gameplay and immersive NFL action anytime, anywhere.Fans everywhere can now hop in and experience Madden NFL 26’s game-changing AI innovations with QB DNA and Coach DNA, delivering more immersive NFL atmospheres on game day, and expanding fan-favorite modes with new depth and strategy across every snap in its feature set:QB DNA: Star NFL quarterbacks move, look, and feel more like the superstars they are. Leveraging AI-powered machine learning, QB DNA introduces unique pocket behaviors, signature throwing motions, and distinct scrambling styles that mirror real-life NFL signal-callers, delivering the most lifelike quarterback gameplay in franchise history.Coach DNA: Coaches employ real philosophies and adaptive strategies based on nearly a decade of NFL data. Dynamic coach suggestions and multi-player counters provide smart play recommendations and strategic depth, making every matchup feel authentic and challenging.Powerful NFL Movement & Physics Expansion: Experience the league’s unmatched athleticism with updated player movement, physics-based interactions, and new mechanics like Custom Defensive Zones, Adaptive Coverage, and enhanced D-line stunts and twists.Football Weather: Extreme weather conditions such as snow, fog, and rain impact visibility, movement, stamina, and ball security, add a new layer of realism and strategy to every game.True NFL Gameday Experience: From the Skol chant in Minnesota to Baltimore’s pre-game light show, authentic team traditions, dynamic halftime shows, and custom broadcast packages immerse players in the sights and sounds of the NFL.Franchise mode: Introduces four new coach archetypes with evolving abilities, a deeper Weekly Strategy system featuring custom Play Sheets, and enhanced player health management with real-time status updates. Stay connected to your league through the new Approval Rating system, plus weekly recaps from Scott Hanson and commentary from Rich Eisen.Superstar Mode: Import your Road to Glory player and shape their NFL career with evolving storylines, draft-impacting performances, and weekly goals. Manage relationships, development, and durability through the new Sphere of Influence and Wear & Tear systems as you rise from college star to NFL legend.Madden Ultimate Team™: Build your dream roster with NFL legends and stars, tackle new dynamic MUT Events, and rise through 50-player Leaderboard Campaigns. NFL Team Pass delivers team-specific rewards and ever-evolving ways to play.The Madden NFL 26 Soundtrack features 77 songs across menus and stadiums, offering expanded control, variety, and immersion. New this season, players can customize their menus playlist with both new releases and iconic stadium anthems. The soundtrack includes music from Twenty One Pilots, Lizzo, Lil Nas X, BIA, and Luke Combs, plus over 30 stadium classics from Green Day, Rage Against The Machine, Foo Fighters, and more — all curated to amplify the energy and authenticity of the NFL experience.Additionally, Madden NFL 26 is now available on Amazon Luna, bringing the authentic football experience to even more players through cloud gaming. Luna lets fans play instantly on devices they already own — including Fire TV, tablets, mobile phones, smart TVs, and more — with no downloads, installs, or updates required. Wherever Luna is available, players can enjoy all that Madden NFL 26 has to offer, including modes like Franchise and Superstar.On mobile, Madden NFL 26 Mobile delivers the ultimate football experience on your phone, packed with more control, strategy, and customization than ever before. This season brings a fresh slate of features, including Dual Player Cards that cover multiple positions and unlock unique chemistry boosts. Fine-tune your roster with over 20 upgradeable Player Traits, and take your lineup to the next level with Player EVO — a new system that lets you absorb higher OVR players to power up your favorites. Whether you're a returning veteran or new to the game, Madden NFL 26 Mobile offers deeper gameplay, more flexibility, and a true NFL experience — right at your fingertips. Download Madden NFL 26 Mobile for free from the App Store® or Google Play™ today.EA Play members can live every stadium-shaking moment with the EA Play* 10-hour game trial, available now. Members also score monthly Ultimate Team™ Packs, as well as receive 10% off EA digital purchases - including game downloads, Madden Points and DLC. For more information on EA Play please visit https://www.ea.com/ea-play.Stay tuned for more Madden NFL 26 details on the official Madden NFL website and social media (Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube).*Conditions, limitations and exclusions apply. See EA Play Terms for details.For Madden NFL 26 assets, visit: EAPressPortal.com.Madden NFL 26 is developed in Orlando, Florida and Madrid, Spain by EA SPORTS and will be available worldwide August 14 for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Amazon Luna and PC via EA app for Windows, Steam, Epic Games StoreAbout Electronic ArtsElectronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company develops and delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, mobile devices and personal computers.In fiscal year 2025, EA posted GAAP net revenue of approximately $7.5 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality brands such as EA SPORTS FC™, Battlefield™, Apex Legends™, The Sims™, EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL, EA SPORTS™ College Football, Need for Speed™, Dragon Age™, Titanfall™, Plants vs. Zombies™ and EA SPORTS F1®. More information about EA is available at www.ea.com/news.EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS FC, Battlefield, Need for Speed, Apex Legends, The Sims, Dragon Age, Titanfall, and Plants vs. Zombies are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. John Madden, NFL, and F1 are the property of their respective owners and used with permission. Erin Exum Director, Integrated Comms [email protected] Source: Electronic Arts Inc.