Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass service is adding Madden NFL 26 to its library in February 2026. This inclusion is part of a larger slate of games arriving on the subscription service throughout the month. The addition of a popular sports title like Madden NFL 26 is a significant draw for subscribers, particularly those who may not have purchased the game separately. The timing of this release also coincides with the departure of the previous year's iteration, Madden NFL 24, from the service, suggesting a regular update cycle for the sports simulation franchise.
February 2026 Game Pass Additions
The February 2026 lineup for Xbox Game Pass includes a varied selection of titles across different genres. Several major releases are slated to become available, offering subscribers a wide range of experiences. The games will be rolled out across various dates throughout February, with some titles launching day-one on the service.
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Key Additions:
Madden NFL 26: Arriving on February 5th.
High on Life 2: A day-one release on February 13th.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora: Available from February 17th.
Avowed: Also launching on February 17th.
These major titles are complemented by other games such as Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels: Championship, Relooted, BlazBlue Entropy Effect X, Roadside Research (in Game Preview), Starsand Island, and Kingdom Come Deliverance. The availability of these games spans across different Game Pass tiers, including Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Premium.
Madden NFL 26 Integration Details
Madden NFL 26 will be accessible to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers. The game will be available on Cloud, Console, and PC, ensuring broad accessibility for the service's user base. Its release date is confirmed as February 5, 2026. This makes it readily available for a significant portion of the month.
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Madden NFL 26 Release:
Date: February 5, 2026
Platforms: Cloud, Console, PC
Tiers: Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
The simultaneous removal of Madden NFL 24 on February 15, 2026, directly precedes the availability of the newer installment, indicating a strategic rotation of the sports franchise within the Game Pass library. This pattern suggests that subscribers can anticipate future Madden titles to follow a similar release cadence.
Game Pass Tiering and Availability
The games being added to Xbox Game Pass in February 2026 are distributed across various subscription tiers. While many titles are available on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, some are also accessible through Game Pass Premium. This tiered approach allows Microsoft to cater to different subscriber preferences and investment levels.
Game Pass Tiers Mentioned:
Game Pass Ultimate: Widest access, often including cloud gaming.
PC Game Pass: For PC players.
Game Pass Premium: Access to select titles, including Avowed and Kingdom Come Deliverance.
Game Preview: For games in early development, like Roadside Research.
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The Handheld platform is also mentioned for specific titles like Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels: Championship and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, likely referring to cloud streaming capabilities on compatible devices.
Release Cadence and Scope
The February 2026 Game Pass additions are being released in waves, with the initial wave announced and detailed. The games are staggered throughout the month, starting as early as February 3rd with titles like Final Fantasy II and Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, and concluding with Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and Avowed on February 17th. This provides a sustained flow of new content for subscribers.
Distribution of Releases:
February 3rd: Final Fantasy II, Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
February 5th: Madden NFL 26, Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels: Championship
February 10th: Relooted
February 12th: BlazBlue Entropy Effect X, Roadside Research, Starsand Island
February 13th: High on Life 2, Kingdom Come Deliverance
February 17th: Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Avowed
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The inclusion of "day-one releases" signifies games launching simultaneously on Game Pass and other platforms, highlighting the value proposition for subscribers.
Expert Analysis
Industry observers note that the addition of a major sports franchise like Madden NFL is a strategic move by Microsoft to broaden Xbox Game Pass's appeal.
"Sports games have a dedicated, often large, player base. Bringing Madden NFL 26 to Game Pass early in its lifecycle, especially when Madden NFL 24 is exiting, is a clear signal of intent to capture that audience within the subscription ecosystem."
This approach aligns with Game Pass's objective of offering a comprehensive gaming library that appeals to a wide spectrum of players, from casual gamers to dedicated fans of specific genres.
Conclusion
Madden NFL 26 is confirmed to be available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass starting February 5, 2026. It will be playable on Cloud, Console, and PC. This release coincides with the departure of Madden NFL 24 on February 15, 2026, underscoring a consistent strategy of updating the sports simulation franchise within the Game Pass offering. The game is part of a robust February lineup that includes other notable titles like High on Life 2 and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, spread across different dates and subscription tiers. The integration of Madden NFL 26 is anticipated to enhance the value and appeal of the Xbox Game Pass subscription service.
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Sources Used:
AOL (cnet.com): https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/game-pass-february/
Context: General announcement of February Game Pass additions.
Gamerant: https://gamerant.com/xbox-game-pass-february-2026-games-menace-madden-nfl/
Context: Details on February 2026 Game Pass games, including Madden NFL.
tbreak: https://tbreak.com/xbox-game-pass-february-2026-games/
Context: Highlights of the February 2026 Game Pass lineup, mentioning Madden NFL 26's release date and tiers.
IGN: https://www.ign.com/articles/xbox-game-pass-february-2026-wave-1-lineup
Context: Official announcement of the Wave 1 lineup for February 2026, with specific dates and platform details for Madden NFL 26.
Eurogamer: https://www.eurogamer.net/here-are-our-xbox-game-pass-games-for-february
Context: Listing of February Game Pass additions, confirming Madden NFL 26's inclusion and date.
Shacknews: https://www.shacknews.com/article/147703/xbox-game-pass-february-2026-games
Context: Comprehensive list of February 2026 Game Pass additions, including Madden NFL 26, release dates, and platform information.
Engadget: https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/februarys-xbox-game-pass-additions-include-high-on-life-2-madden-nfl-26-and-avatar-frontiers-of-pandora-160656985.html
Context: Reporting on February's Game Pass additions, featuring Madden NFL 26 prominently.
G2A News: https://www.g2a.com/news/slider/xbox-game-pass-february-2026-wave-1-high-on-life-2-madden-nfl-26-avatar-more/
Context: Details on the February 2026 Game Pass Wave 1 lineup, including release dates, platforms, and tiers for Madden NFL 26.
