EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 26 leverages years of real NFL data to deliver explosive, true-to-life gameplay on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Utilizing a new AI-powered machine learning system trained by real play calls and game situations over nearly a decade, Madden NFL 26 delivers more explosive gameplay—with new coach and player-specific traits, authentic playstyles, and adaptive counters that match on-field tendencies and strategies of NFL quarterbacks and coaches.
From the Skol chant in Minnesota to the light show in Baltimore, immerse yourself in new presentation features across the NFL including game-impacting weather, team traditions, and dynamic halftime shows with Scott Hanson.
QB DNA
Star NFL quarterbacks move, look, and feel more like the superstars they are.
QB DNA leverages real QB play calls and game situations over nearly a decade to deliver unique, player-specific pocket behaviors, signature throwing motions, and distinct scrambling styles that match real on-field movement of star NFL quarterbacks.
Here's how QB DNA redefines superstar quarterback gameplay:
- Launch deep passes like Josh Allen with new signature throwing motions that reflect his powerful arm and dynamic play style.
- Evade defenders like only Kyler Murray can, with agile scrambling, and new behaviors that mirror his quick footwork.
- Command the field like Jayden Daniels' with sharp decision-making and explosive bursts of speed that highlight his electric play-making tendencies.
- Advanced Player Traits: All-new player traits and other decision-making tendencies add strategic depth, variety, and authenticity to star QB gameplay.
- Enhanced Visual Fidelity: Unrivaled attention to detail in QB behavior creates the most lifelike representation of NFL signal-callers in franchise history.
Explosive NFL Gameplay
Explosive NFL action
Burst upfield like Saquon with updated player movement to reflect the explosive athleticism only the NFL can deliver. Physics-based interactions now include catch tackles, stiff-arms, and trucks for improved collision control.
Football Weather
Navigate severe conditions — or see your game plan fall apart
Depending on how extreme the conditions are, Football Weather can completely disrupt your original game plan. Adapt to new challenges like limited visibility downfield in heavy snow and fog, or wet conditions that will directly impact player movement, stamina, ball security, and more.
Defensive Control & Strategy
Control your pass-coverage depth with new custom zones, and perfect your pass rush strategy with new stunts and twist options at the line.
Features:
- Custom Defensive Zones: Gain unprecedented control over your coverage schemes with fully customizable Defensive Zones, allowing for strategic adaptations to any offensive threat.
- Adaptive Coverage: Benefit from improved pass-coverage logic that makes defensive responses more realistic, with defenders reacting dynamically to route combinations and offensive tendencies.
- Full Route Tree Control: Access complete route trees for receivers via hot routes pre-snap, building upon last year's Custom Stems to provide total control over your passing attack.
- Stunts & Twists: Enhanced D-line stunts and twists add authenticity to your pass-rush strategy.
- Trench Control: O-line blocking control is improved, with performance driven by physics, so you can directionally push defenders out of the way to open up space for the ball-carrier.
Coach DNA
Adaptive counters informed by real NFL coaching trends
Coaches make decisions based on their actual philosophies, backed by nearly a decade of NFL data. Experience real coaching styles like Dan Campbell's fourth-down aggression, Kevin O'Connell's creative offensive approach, and more, adding new layers of strategy to every matchup. Dynamic coach suggestions provide play recommendations based on what your team's coach would dial up in specific game situations. And new multi-player counters offer smart recommendations against opponent tendencies, making it harder for them to succeed with repetitive tactics.
Roster Management
Modernized depth charts, new positional roles, and the Wear & Tear system add strategy and experimentation to roster management and game-planning.
Features:
- Wear & Tear: With the addition of the Wear & Tear system to gameplay comes season-long management considerations, affecting player performance based on usage throughout the year.
- Dynamic Substitutions: Dynamic Subs let you deploy situational personnel from a single button push — without breaking from the action.
- Defensive Changes: Defensive End positions evolve to Left Edge and Right Edge, working seamlessly in both 4-3 and 3-4 schemes, while linebackers use authentic SAM, Mike, and Will designations.
- New Specialists: Nose Tackle and Long Snapper positions receive proper designation, acknowledging their specialized roles and strategic roster implications.
- Versatility Packages: A new "Gadget" position is for the most versatile athletes on your roster, allowing for creative playbook packages and matchup advantages. Think about the damage explosive players like Deebo Samuel have done to opposing defenses lined up anywhere in the formation.
True NFL Gameday Experience
Feel NFL Gameday
Get hyped for kickoff with stadium enhancements across the NFL. New run-outs feature real NFL team traditions, with authentic crowd chants, unique stadium themes, and extreme weather that impacts gameplay and strategy.
Dance down the tunnel in Minnesota, or steal the spotlight during the pre-game light show in Baltimore. New presentation elements and custom broadcast packages depend on your matchup and add depth to each game's unique storyline.
Franchise
Customize and control your coaching legacy
Create your coaching legacy by choosing from four exciting new archetypes, or step into the shoes of your favorite NFL head coach, each bringing their authentic strategies to Franchise. Customize your Weekly Strategy by selecting new coach abilities every week that offer different tactical advantages and evolve as you level them up. Earn more abilities and fine-tune your game plans each week, tailoring them more precisely to your opponents as you progress. New Play Sheets add a strategic layer to play-calling, a coach Approval Rating system holds you more accountable for your decision-making, new Trainer abilities offer new ways to control Wear & Tear recovery, and new Weekly Recaps hosted by Scott Hanson keep you updated league news.
Features:
- New Archetypes & Abilities System: Create a coach by first selecting one of four all-new Archetypes (Offensive Guru, Defensive Mastermind, Personnel Czar, Development Wizard). Then, customize your game plan every week with new Coach Abilities that develop based on your performance and decisions. Earn new abilities as you level up that offer a range of tactical advantages, providing more ways for you to dial-up new Weekly Strategies tailored more precisely to your opponent each week.
- Weekly Strategy: Weekly Strategy choices you make...
