Madden NFL 26 is set to launch in August this year and will include all the classic gameplay modes you've come to expect from the franchise, but completely overhauled and updated to include new and improved features to enhance your experience. While the core gameplay will have the same basic structure as other Madden games, classic modes such as Franchise and Superstar Mode are getting improved immersion and customization features that promise to give players a more well-rounded and realistic experience.
There are three main gameplay modes included in Madden NFL 26, all of which will be very familiar for fans of the franchise. Madden's Franchise Mode is a staple of the experience, while Superstar and Ultimate Team modes are fan favorites, giving players a range of options that promise a unique hands-on NFL experience built on a strong foundation of classic gameplay modes. No matter which mode you decide to play, Madden 26 will give you a better experience than any entry in the franchise has delivered so far.
Every Game Mode In Madden NFL 26
Madden 26 Will Include Franchise, Superstar, & Ultimate Team Modes
As you'd expect, Madden 26 is bringing back all the iconic gameplay modes you've experienced in previous installments, but with some major improvements that promise to make them even more enjoyable and immersive. Franchise mode is obviously making a return, but in a big way, with improved coach customization features, hundreds of different head and gear options, and a variety of brand-new equipment, and an improved Coach Ability system.
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Superstar mode is making a major comeback as well, and will let you import your player from the Road to Glory mode in EA Sports College Football 26, allowing you to build an NFL career "from rookie hopeful to legendary icon." This is the Madden 26 version of Madden 25's beloved Superstar, including a Superstar Showdown mode that allows you to go up against other players head to head, advancing your superstar's career alongside friends and other players online.
"We've rebuilt our Solo reward structure from the ground up with a focus on progression, pacing, and rewards." - The Madden NFL 26 Team
Finally, Ultimate Teams (which is essentially Madden's "Fantasy Football" mode) is getting perhaps the most necessary update: an overhaul to the solo-player experience that is guaranteed to make fans of Ultimate Teams happy. Madden 26 has "rebuilt our Solo reward structure from the ground up with a focus on progression, pacing, and rewards," even introducing a Solo Champions mode that allows players to choose their own difficulty settings. Ultimate Teams is also getting new Live Events, Leaderboard Campaigns, and a streamlined Pack Helper to make decisions less stressful.
Franchise Mode Focuses On Management
Customize A Coach & Launch An NFL Career
Franchise Mode in Madden NFL 26 gets a major overhaul, emphasizing coach customization, strategic depth, and immersive gameplay. Hundreds of new head models and gear allow for unique coach creation, while the new Coach Abilities system introduces weekly game-planning strategies and in-game scenario effects. These abilities level up over time and are used by both human and CPU coaches. Franchise playbooks are now enhanced with Play Sheets, extra plays tied to your coach’s progression. Managing player wear and tear also becomes a strategic element through trainer roles.
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Madden NFL 26’s Franchise Mode will have more individualized and team-specific options in terms of gear, runouts, mascots, team traditions, etc. From Minnesota’s Skol chant to detailed coach models like Dan Campbell. There's a wider variety of uniform options, and they're rolling out redesigned alternates like the Buccaneers’ Creamsicles. Field logos and edge walls will sync up with your team aesthetics, while in-venue graphics mimic real jumbotron visuals. Weekly halftime shows and recaps, along with custom primetime broadcasts, will make each game feel like a live NFL event, offering a richer and more atmospheric presentation across the board.
Superstar Highlights NFL Careers
Approach The Game From A Player's Perspective
Superstar Mode is another essential gameplay mode making a major comeback, where you can live out your NFL dreams by importing your Road to Glory player from College Football 26 or creating a brand-new avatar to build from scratch. Rise from rookie ranks all the way up to pro athlete through weekly Story of the Week narratives and Career Chapters that shape your journey. Start from the bench, earn your spot by hitting performance goals, and be ready to face setbacks if you don't perform well.
It's recommended you play both the League and Showdown options during Superstar mode to earn rewards faster, so don't feel limited to just one gameplay option.
Previously, Superstar featured two distinct modes, League and Showdown, with League being a straightforward single-player career mode and Showdown being the multiplayer option, and there's no reason to think this will be any different in Madden 26. The Sphere of Influence system in Superstar mode lets you build key relationships with coaches, teammates, and agents that impact your career. Manage your fitness with the Wear & Tear system, participate in Superstar Live Events, and keep leveling up your abilities to reach that elite 99 Overall rating. Live Events in Showdown will also see the return of the infamous head-to-head mini-games.
Improved Solo Mode Is A Big Win For Single-Player Fans
Madden NFL 26 Ultimate Team is expanding its reach with revamped features aimed at all player types, whether you compete online, prefer solo gameplay, or fall somewhere in between. This year brings more programs, live events, and team-building opportunities, offering a broader and deeper experience. Ultimate Team remains Madden’s version of fantasy football, allowing players to build dream rosters of NFL stars from past and present.
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Solo players are getting long-awaited improvements, with a completely rebuilt reward system focused on better pacing, more satisfying progression, and meaningful rewards. The new Solo Champions mode adds customizable difficulty and showcases skill in a structured solo competition format. Madden 26 also introduces Leaderboard Campaigns, which are short, focused, and meaningful competitions that let both solo and online players earn prestige and rewards in a limited-time format where every win counts. Creative team-building is front and center thanks to Live Events that highlight themed rosters and new constraints to test your GM skills.
The all-new Pack Helper streamlines decision-making by showing real-time comparisons, set progress, chemistry boosts, and auction data right at the pack opening screen. Madden 26 Ultimate Team delivers a smarter, faster, and more personalized fantasy football experience than ever before. Madden 26 was definitely listening to player feedback and will include some highly requested features in every mode. No matter which mode you plan on playing when Madden NFL 26 launches later this year, it promises to be a much-improved experience.