EA SPORTS™ NHL® 26 Launches Worldwide Today, Bringing Fans an Early Start to the Hockey Season
With ICE-Q 2.0, revamped Be A Pro, and New Ways to Compete All-Season Long, NHL 26 delivers superstar authenticity
Watch New Behind-the-Scenes Video with the Tkachuk Family HERE as NHL 26 Celebrates Its Launch
EA SPORTS NHL 26 Standard Edition cover featuring back-to-back Stanley Cup champion, Matthew Tkachuk
“Launching NHL 26 ahead of the real-world season is our way of celebrating the fans who make hockey culture so electric,” said Mike Inglehart, Creative Director, EA SPORTS NHL. “This year, NHL 26 is all about delivering a truly authentic experience and making athletes in-game feel like superstars. We’re inviting every player to bring their personality to the ice, compete at the highest level with a variety of game modes and experiences that speak to them, and immerse themselves in hockey’s passionate community.”
Packed with innovation, improved gameplay and unmatched authenticity, this year’s game captures the emotion and intensity of hockey like never before. Players will enjoy an array of new features and updates:
- Powerful Authentic Gameplay: At the heart of NHL 26 is ICE-Q 2.0, now powered by official NHL EDGE positional data (NHL Puck and Player Tracking). For the first time, real-world skating speeds, shot tendencies, and player attributes inform in-game performance, so stars like Auston Matthews, Leon Draisaitl, and Matthew Tkachuk play true to life. The new Goalie Crease Control System enhances positioning, awareness and reflex saves for netminders, while X-Factors 2.0 redefines abilities giving players strategic and game-changing impact to games.
- Fully Revamped Be A Pro Experience: The fan-favorite mode returns reimagined, inviting players to live their NHL dream by placing them in the stakes and emotions of a true hockey player. Fresh storylines, characters, and cutscenes bring drama on and off the ice, while game-to-game performance directly shapes opportunities, from highlight-reel breakthroughs to the possibility of being sent back down to the minors. Whether carving a legacy as a humble locker room leader or brash superstar, Be A Pro offers the most personal NHL journey yet.
- Enhanced Presentation and Dynamic Visuals: From expanded broadcast replays and Dynamic Cinematic Lighting to a new arena and authentic player details, NHL 26 heightens presentation and brings fans closer to the sport they love. New cutscenes and milestone moments build authentic on-ice drama and provide the most immersive game representation of hockey to-date.
- HUT Seasons and New Ways to Play: NHL 26 introduces a dynamic new way to compete in Hockey Ultimate Team. With innovative team-building mechanics, Ranked Competitive Matches, and offline HUT Cup Chase, players of every style can find their competitive edge.
- The Pulse of Hockey Culture All Year Long: With Chel Weeks and ongoing seasonal content, NHL 26 will roll out fresh events and community moments, making the game feel alive from the very first puck drop. New Heroes and Icons cards will also debut throughout the year, celebrating the legends of the sport.
With the Deluxe Edition, players can step onto the ice with 4600 NHL Points, HUT packs, and World of Chel rewards to fuel their journey from day one*. Step onto the ice today. Visit https://www.ea.com/games/nhl/nhl-26 and follow our social channels to learn more and stay up-to-date on all things NHL 26 throughout the year.
EA Play** members can play like a superstar with a 10-hour early access trial. Members can score in-game rewards like 3000 WOC Coins and Season Pass XP Multiplier Tokens, as well as
*Conditions & restrictions apply. See Conditions & restrictions apply. See https://www.ea.com/games/nhl/nhl-26/game-disclaimers for details.
** Conditions, limitations and exclusions apply. See EA Play Terms for details.
PRESS ASSETS ARE AVAILABLE AT EAPressPortal.com
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company develops and delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, mobile devices and personal computers.
In fiscal year 2025, EA posted GAAP net revenue of approximately
EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS FC, Battlefield, Need for Speed, Apex Legends, The Sims, Dragon Age, Titanfall, and Plants vs. Zombies are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. John Madden, NFL, and F1 are the property of their respective owners and used with permission.
About the NHL
The National Hockey League (NHL®), founded in 1917, consists of 32 Member Clubs. Each team roster reflects the League’s international makeup with players from more than 20 countries represented, all vying for the most cherished and historic trophy in professional sports – the Stanley Cup®. Every year, the NHL entertains more than 670 million fans in-arena and through its partners on national television and radio; more than 191 million followers - league, team and player accounts combined - across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube; and more than 100 million fans online at NHL.com. The League broadcasts games in more than 160 countries and territories through its rightsholders including ESPN, WBD Sports and NHL Network in the
The NHL is committed to building healthy and vibrant communities using the sport of hockey to celebrate fans of every race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status. The NHL’s Hockey Is For Everyone® initiative reinforces that the official policy of the sport is one of inclusion on the ice, in locker rooms, boardrooms and stands. The NHL is expanding access and opportunity for people of all backgrounds and abilities to play hockey, fostering more inclusive environments and growing the game through a greater diversity of participants. To date, the NHL has invested more than
NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams. © 2025 NHL. All Rights Reserved.
About the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA)
The National Hockey League Players’ Association, established in 1967, is a labour organization whose members are the players in the National Hockey League. The NHLPA works on behalf of the players in varied disciplines such as labour relations, product licensing, marketing, international hockey and community relations, all in furtherance of its efforts to promote its members and the game of hockey. In 1999, NHLPA Goals & Dreams was launched as a way for the players to give something back to the game they love. Over the past 25 years, tens of thousands of deserving children in 44 countries have benefited from the players' donations of hockey equipment. NHLPA Goals & Dreams has donated more than
NHLPA, National Hockey League Players’ Association and the NHLPA logo are registered trademarks of the NHLPA and are used under license. © NHLPA. All Rights Reserved.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250912828752/en/
Natalia Lombardi
Global Public Relations Manager
natalia.lombardi@ea.com
Source: Electronic Arts Inc.
