EA Sports has officially revealed the Madden NFL 26 cover athlete, and it’s the first time that the Philadelphia Eagles have graced the cover in 20 years. This marks a historic moment, as Barkley is the first Eagles player to grace the Madden cover in two decades. And of course, it’s Saquon Barkley and his jaw-dropping backwards hurdle.
“Starring on the cover of Madden NFL 26 and being named to the [99 Club] are dreams come true,” Saquon Barkley shared in a release from EA Sports. “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…”
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Saquon Barkley’s incredible, record-breaking 2024 season earned him the coveted cover spot and cemented his place as the first member of the prestigious Madden’s 99 Club. This year, players will also see two distinct covers. The standard edition of Madden NFL 26 immortalizes his reverse hurdle, and the Deluxe Edition features a green-hued photo of Barkley in uniform looking back at the camera.
Why was Saquon Barkley chosen for Madden NFL 26?
Barkley had a dominant 2024, becoming the first player in NFL history to rush for over 2,500 yards in a single season (including the playoffs, of course). With 13 touchdowns, 345 carries, and, of course, his record-setting rushing yards, Barkley led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl LIX victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, solidifying his legendary status and denying the Chiefs their three-peat.
The choice of image for the Standard Edition should also be noted. When interviewed about his amazing athletic feat, Barkley said he didn’t even mean to. But the moment defined the Birds’ season and ultimately became one of the most astounding photos in NFL history. If Ryan Williams dominated the College Football highlight reels, Saquon Barkley dominated the NFL.
“Saquon’s reverse hurdle was one of the rare, defining moments in NFL history that would have once been described as ‘something out of a videogame,’” Evan Dexter, VP, Franchise Strategy & Marketing, EA SPORTS Madden NFL, said in a press release to the media. “Now, it’s a display of the athleticism and creativity of one of football’s most electrifying athletes. Madden NFL 26 will deliver the most real NFL experience we’ve ever built so that players can experience more of the unreal moments that Saquon put on display all season long. The full reveal is this Wednesday – don’t miss what’s next.”
What changes are coming to Madden?
However, unlike EA Sports CFB 26, this cover reveal lacks updated information on the game’s release and new features. Players can look forward to that on June 4, 2025, when the full trailer is released alongside information on what to expect.
Where can I pre-order?
- Fans can now pre-order the Madden NFL 26 Deluxe Edition from participating retailers. The Deluxe Edition includes 3-day early access, 4600 Madden Points, and other in-game extras.
- If you’re a CFB and Madden player, though, the EA SPORTS MVP Bundle for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S includes deluxe editions of both EA SPORTS College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26, complete with 3-day early access and rewards for both titles.
- For those who are less committed or just want to check out the game’s new features for its latest annual release, EA Play subscribers will get a 10-hour early access trial for Madden NFL 26, plus recurring monthly in-game bonuses.
