EA and EA Sports have officially announced that Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley will appear on the cover of Madden NFL 26, set to release on August 14, 2025. Barkley will feature on not one, but two distinct covers, including a dramatic recreation of his now-famous reverse hurdle a moment that defined his dominant 2024-25 season. Check out this Tiktok from ESPN with the reverse hurdle in action:
This marks a historic return for the Philadelphia Eagles as well, Barkley becomes the first Eagles player to grace the cover of a Madden game since Donovan McNabb in Madden NFL 06, making it the first Eagles cover in two decades. His selection comes as no surprise following a record-breaking year that saw him inducted into the coveted Madden NFL 99 Club and lead the Eagles to victory in Super Bowl LIX.
Barkley’s Legendary Season Cements His Madden Legacy
Barkley's 2024-25 campaign was nothing short of extraordinary. He became the first player in NFL history to rush for over 2,500 yards in a single season, including playoff performances, firmly establishing himself as the league's premier running back. His pivotal role in defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl sealed his legacy and made him a natural choice for the Madden cover.
Speaking on the honor, Barkley said:
"Starring on the cover of Madden NFL 26 and being named to the Madden NFL ‘99 Club’ are both dreams come true. I’m grateful to my teammates, coaches, and Eagles fans for their support, and I can’t wait to hit the field again to give Madden players more highlight-reel moments in Madden NFL 26."
Madden NFL 26 Platform Support and Preorder Details
Madden NFL 26 will be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and for the first time ever, on the Nintendo Switch 2. This expanded platform support ensures fans across multiple systems can enjoy the latest evolution of the iconic football franchise.
Pre-orders are already live for the Deluxe Edition, which comes with the following perks:
- 3-day early access
- 4600 Madden Points
- Bonus Ultimate Team content
For those seeking even more, the EA Sports MVP Bundle offers both Madden NFL 26 and the upcoming College Football 26, featuring rising stars Ryan Williams (Alabama) and Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State) on their respective covers.
Official Reveal Coming June 4
While Barkley’s cover reveal has already made headlines, fans can expect the full feature reveal for Madden NFL 26 on June 4, where EA will dive into gameplay innovations, new modes, and updates to the fan-favorite Ultimate Team.
With a dominant athlete on the cover and an expanded release platform, Madden NFL 26 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated entries in the series yet.
Will you be picking up a copy of Madden NFL 26? Do you think Barkely was the right person for the cover? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below!
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