Are you excited for some football action? Even when there’s no game, the buzz around America’s favorite sport never dies down. The spotlight is on the NFL draft, kicking off Thursday night, and Electronic Arts is celebrating with a fantastic draft-themed ad for EA Sports College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26. Plus, they’ve just revealed the release dates for these much-anticipated games set to launch this summer.
EA’s new two-and-a-half-minute commercial, “The Call,” will make its debut during the draft coverage on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network. This ad follows a fictional wide receiver named J.D. Matthews Jr. We get a glimpse into his world as Washington Commanders’ head coach Dan Quinn calls him with the thrilling news of being picked as the 29th overall in the draft. As Quinn narrates Matthews Jr.’s underdog journey through high school and college, the emotional ride is vividly portrayed on the Texas Longhorns star’s face.
The draft symbolizes a major turning point from college football to the NFL, where exceptional NCAA players aspire to fulfill their ultimate dreams of turning pro. For those fortunate enough to receive a call on draft day, it’s a reward for years of dedication and the start of a new chapter filled with endless opportunities and challenges. “The work’s just starting,” Quinn tells his latest recruit, reminding him of the path ahead.
EA positions these games as the gateway for fans to immerse themselves in this epic journey by diving into EA Sports College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26. Announced Thursday, this year’s College Football game, previously known as NCAA Football, is slated for a July 10 release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Following this, Madden is set to launch on August 14, expanding its availability to include Nintendo Switch 2, Windows PC, in addition to PS5 and Xbox Series X.
In a significant shift, EA is phasing out support for older consoles, marking 2024’s Madden NFL 25 as the last installment for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Excitingly, Madden NFL 26’s version for the Switch 2 breaks a 13-year hiatus for Madden titles on Nintendo platforms. The last was a modified Madden NFL 13 for Wii U back in November 2012. EA hasn’t disclosed details about this year’s Madden game modes or features yet; we’ve reached out for information about any differences between the Switch 2 and other platform versions and will update with any new details.
Pre-orders for College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26 are now live across all platforms. While EA’s website doesn’t offer the Switch 2 version, Amazon has it covered with a game-key card “physical” copy. Much like last year, fans can opt for a budget-friendly option by purchasing both games in a discounted MVP Bundle. Available exclusively digitally on PS5 and Xbox Series X, this bundle includes the deluxe editions of both the college and pro games for $149.99, saving $50 compared to buying them individually at $99.99 each. Each deluxe edition not only offers a slew of in-game bonuses for modes like Ultimate Team, Road to Glory, Dynasty, Franchise, and Superstar, but also grants three days of early access. Head to the College Football and Madden websites for a complete rundown of pre-order bonuses.
