Madden NFL 26 release date leaked, but status of Nintendo Switch 2 game is unclear

The debut of a new Madden football game is an annual tradition for EA Sports. Dependable leaker billbil-kun reports that the publisher should announce the latest version on or before April 25th. Also, the Madden NFL 26 release date is August 14th, with the Deluxe Edition granting three days of early access. EA confirmed a Madden Switch 2 game, but it's unknown if Madden NFL 26 will appear on the handheld in August.

Billbil-kun expects the latest Madden title to arrive on the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. With no mention of a PS4 or Xbox One version, Madden NFL 26 could be a current-gen exclusive. Unlike Madden 25, when EA College Football 25 returned in 2024, it wasn't an option for older platforms. Notably, the F1 25 racing sim is also focusing on newer gaming systems for the first time. EA may be finally moving on from the aging Microsoft and Sony consoles.

Madden has been a notable absence from the Nintendo Switch library. In the past, EA has released legacy versions of sports titles on the system with downscaled graphics and missing modes. While EA Sports FC 25 didn't sacrifice many features, the Switch's limited capabilities were apparent. Gamers anticipate more optimized performance when both annual releases land on the Switch 2. Judging by early footage, the upcoming Nintendo console will at least compete with the Steam Deck. Many EA Sports titles are not verified for Valve's handheld, and anti-cheat protection prevents booting EA Sports FC 25.

The first Madden Switch 2 game may have a different release window than Madden NFL 26. However, EA prefers annual releases of its sports titles to launch simultaneously. Hopefully, the publisher will provide more details on a Switch version when announcing the Madden NFL 26 release date.