Entertainment Biz - EA SPORTS NHL 26, Powered by Official NHL Edge Data

Legacy and Individuality Come Together as Matthew, Brady, and Keith Tkachuk Take Over the Deluxe Cover

Think, Move, and Play Like a Superstar - Matthew, Brady, and Keith Tkachuk featured as cover stars of NHL 26's Deluxe Edition - Get Ready to Tell the World 'Check My Game

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. USA -- (BUSINESS WIRE )

Wednesday August 13, 2025

Electronic Arts Inc. unveils EA SPORTS NHL 26, launching September 12, 2025, on PlayStation5 and Xbox Series X|S with a new level of on-ice authenticity and superstar quality. Back-to-back Stanley Cup champion, Matthew Tkachuk, graces the cover of the deluxe edition alongside his brother, Brady, and their father, Keith, in a dream lineup uniting hockey's present and past. With real-world NHL EDGE positional data (NHL Puck and Player Tracking) powering gameplay, in partnership with the NHL, and a reimagined Be A Pro mode that immerses players in the stakes and emotions of playing at the highest level, NHL 26 delivers an immersive and intense experience for hockey fans around the world.

This year's cover athletes challenge traditional notions of NHL superstardom. Matthew Tkachuk, known for his relentless physicality and skill, has captivated fans with a signature style that breaks the conventional playbook. Bringing together two generations of Tkachuks, the cover highlights a family that's carved its own path with individuality, edge, and an unyielding drive to win.

NHL 26 is all about this individuality. Setting a new standard for hockey realism, every star plays more like their real-life counterpart with the new ICE-Q 2.0 fueled by NHL EDGE positional data (NHL EDGE Puck and Player Tracking). Real-world sport data now informs player attributes and personal tendencies. Skating speed, shot power, unique behaviors and signature moves are reflected in the game, giving true hockey fans a strategic advantage. The new Goalie Crease Control System also makes netminders more responsive, with smarter positioning and quicker, more natural saves. Combined with an expanded set of X-Factors that amplify superstar abilities with unique playstyle animations and gameplay outcomes, fans will experience a deeper connection to their favorite players, whether they're controlling them or playing against them.

"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, forward for the Florida Panthers and featured athlete across both editions of this year's game. "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, captain of the Ottawa Senators. "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, five-time NHL All-Star. "What you see now is two players with totally unique styles, and I'm proud to be sharing the cover with them."

The fully revamped fan-favorite Be A Pro mode gives players full control over their journey from rookie to NHL superstar. Fresh storylines, new characters, high-stakes challenges, and cutscenes make the experience more realistic and engaging than ever before. From competing in the World Juniors to the draft or working their way from the minors back to the big leagues, players will craft their own legacy on and off the ice.

"NHL 26 is the most true-to-life experience we've ever built," said Mike Inglehart, Creative Director at EA SPORTS. "It was created with fans who crave hockey authenticity in mind - the ones who live and breathe the game and know how it should feel. 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 HUT Seasons will give players an all-new, dynamic way to compete by introducing new team-building mechanics, ranked matches, and an offline mode geared for those who prefer to play at their own pace, the HUT Cup Chase. With new Heroes and Icons player cards added each season to celebrate the greatest to ever lace up their skates, plus visual upgrades that elevate every moment, players will experience this and much more in NHL 26.

Players who pre-order* the Deluxe Edition will receive up to seven days of early access, a multitude of perks including Matthew Tkachuk at 99 OVR as an immediate reward in NHL 25, 4600 NHL Points, HUT Starter Choice Pack and much more. All pre-order editions and information can be found here, loyalty offers with up to 10% off are also available.

EA Play members** can enjoy a 10-hour early access trial starting September 5th, 2025 and other rewards including 3,000 WOC Coins and Season Pass XP Multiplier Tokens. They also receive 10% off EA digital content including pre-orders, game downloads, NHL Points, and DLC. For more information, please visit https://www.ea.com/ea-play.

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