Madden NFL 26 Announced for Nintendo Switch 2: Release Date, Pre-Order Details, and Franchise Return

EA SPORTS has officially announced that Madden NFL 26, the latest installment in its iconic American football series, is set to launch for Nintendo Switch 2 on August 14, 2025.

This move marks a significant moment for both Nintendo fans and sports gaming enthusiasts, as it represents the first Madden release on Nintendo hardware since Madden NFL 13 for the Wii U, which debuted over a decade ago.

The return of the franchise to Nintendo platforms is highly anticipated and signals EA’s renewed commitment to reaching a broader audience with its premier sports titles. The announcement came directly from Nintendo’s official social media channels on April 24, 2025, bringing clarity following a period of speculation regarding release platforms.

According to an updated Amazon listing, Madden NFL 26 will retail for $79.99 on the eShop, and the physical edition will be distributed as a Game-Key Card, reflecting Nintendo’s push toward digital access and convenience.

Accompanying the launch, the eShop listing confirms that fans who pre-order Madden NFL 26 will receive several in-game bonuses: a MUT Cover Athlete Elite Player Item, Franchise Coach Ability Points, and a Super Star Legendary XP Boost.

These rewards aim to enhance the player’s experience from day one, continuing EA’s tradition of incentivizing early adopters. Earlier this week, EA confirmed that both Madden NFL 26 and College Football 26 are available to pre-order for Xbox Series and PlayStation 5, with release dates set for July 10 for College Football 26 and August 14 for Madden NFL 26.

However, while College Football 26 is slated for other leading consoles, it will not launch on Switch 2 at this time.

This strategy underscores EA’s selective approach to platform releases, focusing attention on Madden NFL 26 as the flagship sports title to reintroduce the franchise to Nintendo’s ecosystem. The reintroduction aligns with comments made during a recent Nintendo Direct, where EA highlighted its plans to support Switch 2 with sports games developed specifically for the new hardware.

It remains to be seen if Madden NFL 26 on Switch 2 will mirror its counterparts on competing platforms or if unique elements will be tailored to leverage the capabilities of Nintendo’s next-generation console.

Nevertheless, EA’s ongoing engagement with Nintendo platforms marks a strategic resurgence, providing Switch 2 owners with a blockbuster sports simulation experience previously unavailable since the early 2010s. This development follows credible reporting from sources such as VGC and the reliable industry insider billbil-kun on Dealabs, who had accurately hinted at an August launch and the anticipation surrounding Madden’s return to Nintendo.

With Madden NFL 26 set to revitalize the franchise on Switch 2 beginning August 14, 2025, fans of both American football and Nintendo are poised for an exciting kickoff this summer.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 EA Switch Xbox Series X|S Madden NFL