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If you’re a football fan, get set for a thrilling season because, really, does it ever truly end for America’s favorite sport? The highlight of the off-season, the NFL draft, kicks off Thursday night, and Electronic Arts is celebrating this moment with an exciting draft-themed commercial for its upcoming releases: EA Sports College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26. They’ve even announced when we can get our hands on these games this summer.
The commercial, “The Call,” running for two and a half minutes, is set to be featured during the draft’s coverage on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network. It tells the story of a fictional wide receiver named J.D. Matthews Jr. We follow his emotional journey as he receives the life-changing call from Washington Commanders’ head coach Dan Quinn, revealing he’s the 29th overall pick. Quinn narrates Matthews Jr.’s journey from high school to college, showcasing the Longhorns star’s emotional response on his journey to success.
The draft stands as a monumental transition from college football to the NFL, a junction where NCAA athletes earn a shot at their dreams of going professional. That all-important phone call on draft day marks the end of a long road of effort and the start of a new one filled with potential and challenges. As Quinn rightly points out to his new recruit, “The work’s just starting.”
With EA Sports College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26, EA gives fans the chance to dive into this exhilarating path. They announced the release of the much-anticipated NCAA Football successor for July 10 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Madden fans won‘t have to wait much longer, with its release slated for August 14 on Nintendo Switch 2, Windows PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X.
In a significant move, EA is stepping away from older consoles. Madden NFL 25 marks the last title available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, while Madden NFL 26 heralds a return to Nintendo platforms after almost 13 years, following a hiatus since Madden NFL 13 on the Wii U. We’re still waiting for details on features and modes for the new Madden. EA hasn’t yet clarified if the Switch 2 version will match the features of the PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X versions, but we’ll update you once they do.
For eager fans, pre-orders are already open for both games on all platforms. While the Switch 2 version isn’t available via EA’s site, Amazon offers a pre-order for a game-key card “physical” edition. EA has also continued its MVP Bundle offer for dedicated players interested in both games. This digital package, exclusively for PS5 and Xbox Series X, includes the deluxe editions of both titles for $149.99, offering a $50 savings compared to purchasing individually. In addition to in-game perks across various modes, each Deluxe Edition allows players early access, three days for each game. Visit the College Football and Madden websites to see all pre-order bonuses.
