Are you pumped up for some football action? While there might not be an official break in America’s favorite pastime, the NFL draft is the highlight of the offseason and kicks off Thursday night. To celebrate, Electronic Arts is rolling out a fantastic draft-themed advertisement for both EA Sports College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26, along with a summer release schedule announcement for these eagerly awaited games.
In a two-and-a-half-minute commercial titled “The Call,” airing during the draft on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network, we follow the storyline of a fictional wide receiver named J.D. Matthews Jr. The spotlight is on the moment Matthews gets that fateful call from Washington Commanders’ head coach, Dan Quinn, letting him know he’s the 29th pick in the draft. As Quinn narrates the tale of Matthews Jr.’s determined journey through high school and college, viewers can almost feel the flood of emotions on the young Texas Longhorns star’s face.
The NFL draft serves as the pivotal bridge between college football and the big league, where standout players from the NCAA dream of making it as professional athletes. For those fortunate enough to hear their name called, it’s the climax of years of effort and the start of a brand-new adventure filled with both opportunities and challenges. Dan Quinn reminds his fresh recruit, “This is just the beginning.”
EA brings the thrill of this journey right to the players, promising a rich experience with EA Sports College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26. The company confirmed on Thursday that the much-loved series previously known as NCAA Football will hit PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X on July 10. Madden will follow on August 14, debuting on Nintendo Switch 2 and Windows PC, alongside PS5 and Xbox Series X.
For the first time, EA is moving on from older consoles, making Madden NFL 25 the last title for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Excitingly for Nintendo fans, Madden NFL 26 on Switch 2 marks a return after a 13-year break since the Wii U’s launch with Madden NFL 13 in 2012. While EA is keeping details of Madden’s new features under wraps, inquiries about whether the Switch 2 game will match up with other versions are pending, and we’ll relay more information as soon as it’s available.
Pre-orders are now live for College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26 across all platforms. If you’re looking for the Switch 2 version, it’s not on EA’s website yet, but Amazon offers a game-key card “physical” copy up for grabs. Fans eager to dive into both games can snag the MVP Bundle, an all-digital collection exclusive to PS5 and Xbox Series X, offered at $149.99. This package saves players $50 compared to buying the games individually, each priced at $99.99, and includes in-game bonuses for various modes like Ultimate Team, Road to Glory, Dynasty, Franchise, and Superstar, plus a three-day early access window. Check the College Football and Madden websites for the full pre-order perks rundown.
