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Are you pumped for some football? While America’s favorite sport seems to have no real off-season, the highlight of the break is undeniably the NFL draft, kicking off Thursday night. Electronic Arts is making waves during this buzz around the draft with an exciting draft-themed commercial for their upcoming games, EA Sports College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26, and they’ve even dropped the release dates for these much-anticipated titles coming this summer.
The star of EA’s two-and-a-half-minute ad, cleverly titled “The Call,” will be airing on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network during the draft coverage. It narrates the emotional journey of a fictional wide receiver, J.D. Matthews Jr. Through the eyes of the Washington Commanders’ head coach, Dan Quinn, viewers get a front-row seat to the pivotal moment Matthews learns he’s been chosen as the 29th overall pick. The commercial beautifully captures the spectrum of emotions on Matthews’ face as his career journey unfolds—from high school hurdles to college triumphs as a Texas Longhorn.
The draft is a pivotal moment where college football intersects with the NFL, giving NCAA standouts a shot at their dream of turning pro. For those few who receive that life-altering phone call, it’s a moment of immense satisfaction, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another with exciting challenges on the horizon. “The work’s just starting,” Quinn wisely advises his eager new recruit.
Electronic Arts wants football enthusiasts to feel the full thrill of this journey through their games, EA Sports College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26. Announced Thursday, fans can look forward to College Football 26 launching on July 10 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Madden follows on August 14, expanding its reach to Nintendo Switch 2 and Windows PC alongside the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
Interestingly, EA is saying farewell to previous-generation consoles, with the 2024 Madden NFL 25 being the last for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Excitingly, Madden NFL 26’s release on Switch 2 revives a franchise hiatus from Nintendo platforms that stretches back nearly 13 years, since Madden NFL 13’s appearance as a Wii U launch title in November 2012. Although details are scarce on Madden’s new features, we’re eager to see if the Switch 2 edition will match up to its PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X counterparts. Stay tuned for updates as we seek more info from EA on this front.
Keen to get your hands on these titles? Pre-orders for both College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26 are now live. Although the Switch 2 version isn’t currently available through EA’s site, you can snag a game-key card “physical” edition via Amazon. Returning this year is the MVP Bundle. Available exclusively online for PS5 and Xbox Series X, this package combines the deluxe editions of both games for $149.99—offering a cool $50 savings. Beyond the savings, players receive a slew of in-game perks for popular modes like Ultimate Team, Road to Glory, and Dynasty, plus three days of early access. For the complete list of pre-order benefits, check out the College Football and Madden websites.
