The ice is freshly surfaced and a new season of hockey is ready to drop the puck. NHL 26 is on the way!
EA has officially unveiled EA SPORTS NHL 26, set to launch worldwide on September 12th 2025, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
This new instalment promises a huge leap forward in on-ice authenticity, powered by official NHL EDGE data. We hope it’s a leap forward at least, for we didn’t really get on with the last NHL game we reviewed.
A Tkachuk Family Takeover
In a first for the franchise, the Deluxe Edition cover will be a family affair, featuring back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Matthew Tkachuk, his brother and Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, and their legendary father, five-time NHL All-Star Keith Tkachuk.
This year’s cover celebrates individuality, edge, and an unyielding drive to win, all hallmarks of the Tkachuk family. Bringing together two generations, the cover highlights a family that has carved its own unique path in the NHL, challenging the traditional notions of superstardom with a blend of relentless physicality and elite skill.
Gameplay Powered by Real NHL Data
NHL 26 is all about individuality, and this is reflected in the game’s biggest new innovation: ICE-Q 2.0.
For the first time, real-world NHL EDGE positional data (NHL Puck and Player Tracking) is being used to inform player attributes and personal tendencies.
This means star players will move, shoot, and react more like their real-life counterparts than ever before. Skating speed, shot power, unique behaviours, and signature moves are all now reflected in-game, giving true hockey fans a deeper strategic advantage.
From there, the new Goalie Crease Control System makes netminders more responsive, with smarter positioning and quicker, more natural saves. This is combined with an expanded set of X-Factors that amplify superstar abilities with unique playstyle animations and gameplay outcomes, making every star player feel distinct.
Live the Life in a Revamped Be A Pro
The fan-favourite Be A Pro mode is receiving its biggest update since NHL 21. The revamped mode gives players full control over their journey from rookie to NHL superstar, with fresh storylines, new characters, high-stakes challenges, and new cutscenes to make the experience more realistic and engaging than ever.
Hockey Ultimate Team is also getting an overhaul with new HUT Seasons, introducing new team-building mechanics, ranked matches, and a new offline mode, the HUT Cup Chase. And yeah, we know you’re only here for the HUT…
A Word from the Stars
The cover athletes and the development team are all excited about what this new level of realism brings to the ice.
“My dad, Brady and I are all unique and play the way we want to. Sharing the cover of NHL 26 is an extension of that,” said Matthew Tkachuk. “I’ve always tried to bring my own style to the ice, and seeing that captured in NHL 26 makes it feel like it is really me out there.”
“Growing up, Matthew and I dreamed of playing just like our dad,” said Brady Tkachuk. “Even now, his influence on how we play and prepare remains huge. It’s an honor to be featured on the cover, and having him standing alongside us makes the whole thing even better.”
“I always told the boys to play hard, be smart, and never lose their personality out there,” said Keith Tkachuk. “What you see now is two players with totally unique styles, and I’m proud to be sharing the cover with them.”
“NHL 26 is the most true-to-life experience we’ve ever built,” said Mike Inglehart, Creative Director at EA SPORTS. “From deeper gameplay detail to the biggest Be A Pro update since NHL 21, everything we’ve done this year is about bringing them closer to the teams they love and the moments that define the NHL.”
The new season of hockey is on the horizon, powered by real-world data and a new generation of superstars.
Players who pre-order the Deluxe Edition of NHL 26 will receive up to seven days of early access, starting on September 5th, along with a host of other perks. The puck drops for everyone on September 12th.
We’ll remind you as those dates land on the ice.
