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

Are you all set to dive into some football action? There’s always buzz around America’s favorite sport, even in the offseason. The spotlight now is on the NFL draft, kicking off Thursday night, and in sync with this major event, Electronic Arts has rolled out an exciting draft-themed ad for EA Sports College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26. They’ve also confirmed the release dates for these much-anticipated games coming this summer.

The ad, called “The Call,” is a captivating two-and-a-half-minute piece that will be streaming during the draft across ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network. It takes viewers on a journey through the mind of a fictional wide receiver named J.D. Matthews Jr. As the Washington Commanders’ head coach, Dan Quinn, rings him up with the news that he’s being picked 29th overall in the draft, Matthews Jr.’s rollercoaster of emotions unfolds. Through Dan’s recount of his journey from high school standout to a college star at Texas Longhorns, Matthews Jr.’s passion and determination are palpable.

The NFL draft is where the world of college football and the professional league intersect. It’s a pivotal moment for NCAA stars eager to turn their dreams of playing pro into reality. Receiving that life-altering call on draft day signifies the peak of relentless effort and the start of a thrilling new chapter, fraught with both opportunities and challenges. “This is just the beginning,” Coach Quinn wisely advises his new recruit.

EA wants fans to feel this journey firsthand through playing both EA Sports College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26. Announced on Thursday, College Football hits shelves on July 10 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, followed by Madden on August 14, which will also be available on the Nintendo Switch 2 and Windows PC, alongside the aforementioned consoles.

Interestingly, EA is leaving the older generation consoles behind. Madden NFL 25 in 2024 will be the swan song for PS4 and Xbox One in this series. In a notable return, Madden NFL 26 will be returning to a Nintendo platform via the Switch 2 after nearly 13 years — the last was a pared-down version for the Wii U with Madden NFL 13 released back in November 2012. Details on the modes and features for this year’s Madden are still under wraps. We’ve reached out to EA for clarification on whether the Switch 2 version will match up with the PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X versions, and we’ll keep you posted once we know more.

For those eager to jump in early, pre-orders are live for both College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26 across all platforms. Although the Switch 2 version isn’t directly available from EA’s website, Amazon is offering a “physical” game-key card. If you’re planning to enjoy both games, the MVP Bundle is a great option. This digital-only package available for PS5 and Xbox Series X bundles the deluxe editions of both the college and the pro games for $149.99, saving you $50 compared to buying each separately at $99.99 each. It throws in a slew of in-game bonuses for modes like Ultimate Team, Road to Glory, Dynasty, Franchise, and Superstar, and grants three days of early game access. Full pre-order benefits can be checked out on the games’ official sites.