EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 26
Simulation
Sports
Single-player
Multi-player
PvP
Online PvP
Shared/Split Screen PvP
Co-op
Online Co-op
Shared/Split Screen Co-op
Shared/Split Screen
Cross-Platform Multiplayer
Steam Achievements
Full controller support
In-App Purchases
Camera Comfort
Chat Speech-to-text
Chat Text-to-speech
Color Alternatives
Adjustable Difficulty
Playable without Timed Input
Stereo Sound
Surround Sound
HDR available
Family Sharing

EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 26 leverages a new AI-powered machine learning system to convert thousands of plays from nearly a decade of real NFL data into more explosive gameplay.

Developers: Tiburon
Publishers: Electronic Arts
Release Date: Aug 14, 2025
Price (USD): $48.99
Current Players: 4.1k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Mixed(41%)
improved presentation
franchise depth
dynamic weather
better visuals
new features
presentation
gameplay improvements
bugs
performance issues
lack of innovation
blocking issues
The general sentiment of the reviews is largely negative, citing performance issues, unresolved bugs, and lack of meaningful innovation from previous versions. While some users find the improved presentation and new features appealing, the consensus appears to be that these changes are overshadowed by the prevalence of glitches and poor optimization. The critical reception suggests that the game falls short of expectations for both long-time fans and new players hoping for a more refined experience.

Positive Points

  • The game has significant improvements in presentation, with updated overlays and broadcast-style commentary, making it more immersive.
  • Franchise mode offers more depth than previous versions with features like wear-and-tear systems, coordinator skill trees, and weekly playsheets.
  • Gameplay includes a more intuitive and rewarding passing mechanic and a dynamic weather system that adds variety.
  • Madden 26 is praised for better visuals, animations, and coach progression mechanics.
  • Negative Points

  • The game is riddled with bugs, including crashes, animation errors, and AI issues, leading to a frustrating experience.
  • Optimization for PC is poor, with reports of lag, frame rate drops, and other performance issues.
  • Many players report that franchise and ultimate team modes continue to have long-standing issues, and the game is criticized for lack of innovation.
  • Gameplay mechanics related to blocking and AI awareness remain broken or inconsistent, affecting overall gameplay.
  • Mixed Points

  • Some players appreciate the new features and improvements, while others feel they don't justify the full price or aren't enough to overcome existing issues.
  • The game's presentation is generally seen as a step forward, but the actual gameplay and performance don't align with the visual improvements for many users.
  • Common Themes

  • Bugs and crashes are a prevalent issue affecting many users' ability to play the game smoothly, especially on PC.
  • There is a mixed reception of new features, with some users appreciating them, while others feel they are minor or don't impact the core issues.
  • Several players note the game feels similar to past versions, leading to dissatisfaction about paying for what feels like a roster update.
  • The community desires competition in NFL gaming to push for better quality and innovation from EA.
  • Updated 9/16/2025, 12:02:26 AM UTC