Breaking down the NHL 26 reveal trailer

A new season means a new NHL video-game counterpart. This past Monday, EA Sports announced the 2026 NHL cover athlete as Matthew Tkachuk on the regular editions of the game. The deluxe edition gets the entire Tkachuk family treatment with the additions of both Brady and Keith.

This choice of Matthew Tkachuk might be a source of trauma for both Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers fans, but the newest version of the NHL line of games looks to impress. You know, once you get past the trailer, which sports a goals against the Flames seven seconds in, and one in-depth one against the Oilers 14 seconds in.

After a very cinematic Tkachuk heavy trailer, what do fans get in NHL 26?

What’s new in the game?

1. The inclusion of Ice-Q 2.0: Improved NHL data incorperation making today’s stars shoot, skate, and check just as hard in-game as they do in the real NHL. Talk about realism.
2. X-Factor expansion: The beloved X-Factor system is expanded once again, leading to 28 possible unique abilities across five different player categories. This will add more layers to online play, franchise mode, and be a pro.
3. Be a Pro mode is revamped. This year it looks to add what fans have spent years asking for with fleshed out new storylines, distinct characters, and challenges that make the mode feel more engaging.

These addition serve as a huge overhaul by EA, and look to increase the quality of the game drastically.

They also announced pre-order bonuses for those fans who have already set on getting NHL 26:

1. 7-day early access (September 5)
2. A bonus 4600 NHL Points
3. HUT Starter Choice Pack
4. HUT NHL Player Pack
5. HUT Icon Choice Pack (86 OVR)
6. HUT Heroes Choice Pack (84 OVR)
7. Matthew Tkachuk 99 OVR item* (available immediately in NHL 25 with digital pre-order)
8. World of Chel Vanity Set
9. World of Chel Battle Pass XP Boost (x2)

NHL 26 will be available on both PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, and releases September 12, 2025.

Will you be buying NHL 26? Let us know in the comments?