The annual Gridiron sim returns in August, and here’s its release date and cover star

The Madden 25 release date is finally in the wild, and to accompany it we’ve also scored a glimpse at the Madden 25 cover star and initial gameplay details. It’s not looking like a year where the classic NFL series reinvents itself, but there’s still plenty to get pumped for – plus some explaining to do, with regard to its curious naming convention. All of this is covered in your comprehensive Madden 25 guide.

Madden 25 release date confirmation

Madden NFL 25 is right around the corner. EA has confirmed the Madden 25 release date is August 16, 2024, with the new NFL sim headed to PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One and Xbox Series X. As has become traditional, pre-ordering enables you to play it three days early, on August 13, 2024 – and we’ll get to those bonuses below. The real NFL season kicks off on September 5 when the Chiefs play the Ravens, giving you three weeks of gameplay to whet your appetite for the real thing.

Madden 25 pre-order bonuses

Inevitably, Madden 25 pre-order bonuses come in a selection of flavors, including the option to purchase it bundled with the new sister game College Football 25. We’ve listed what’s in each edition below. As for pricing, Madden 25 costs $69.99 / £69.99 for the Standard Edition, $99.99 / £99.99 for the Deluxe Edition, and $139.99 / £139.99 for the Deluxe MVP College Football 25 bundle.

Standard Edition

Christian McCaffrey Elite Player Item

Choice of two Strategy Items

Superstar Drip Gear

Legendary XP Boost

Deluxe Edition

Christian McCaffrey Elite Player Item

Choice of two Strategy Items

Superstar Drip Gear

Legendary XP Boost

3 days early access

Early Access Ultimate Team Challenges

4,600 Madden points

AKA Player Item

Madden NFL 25 & College Football 25 MVP Bundle

Madden NFL 25 Deluxe Edition

3 Day Early Access

4,600 Madden Points

Early Access Ultimate Team Challenges

AKA Player Item

Christian McCaffrey Elite Player Item

Elite Player Item

Choice of 2 Strategy Items

Superstar Drip Gear

Legendary XP Boost

College Football 25 Deluxe Edition

3 Day Early Access

4600 College Football Points

Alma Mater Ultimate Team Pack (Choice of 1 player item out of 134)

Cover Athlete Ultimate Team Pack (Choice of 1 player item out of 3)

Heisman Hopeful Ultimate Team Pack (Choice of 1 player item out of 5)

Bring Glory Home Ultimate Team Uniform Item

In addition to these, there are additional CFB 25 Coins and channels to purchase College Football 25 Coins.

Madden 25 cover star

The Madden 25 cover star is monster San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey – and, breaking with the norm, he gets all three editions to himself, in unique poses. “Christian’s electrifying, dynamic, and physical play style perfectly represents the gameplay innovations we’re bringing to Madden NFL 25 and made him the ideal fit for this year’s cover,” says senior production director Mike Mahar.

NCAA Madden 25 tie-in

Rumors swirled of an NCAA Madden 25 tie-in during the winter, and we are getting one – sort of. EA is bringing back the likes of Michigan, Ohio State, and Illinois for the first time in a decade in College Football 25 – but it isn’t officially an NCAA game. That’s because of a legal dispute over player likenesses, which triggered the demise of the original series following NCAA Football 14. Now we can once more recruit and play as the sport’s best young athletes before they reach the NFL. Read all about it in GR’s College Football 25 preview.

First Madden 25 gameplay details

The big new Madden 25 gameplay feature is Boom Tech. This physics-based tackling mechanic has taken two years to develop and uses timing, momentum, weight, speed, strength, and player ratings to determine the outcome when you try to take down a ball carrier. It certainly sounds promising, particularly with the beloved Hit Stick being overhauled to deliver even more oomph.

Meanwhile, EA has proclaimed that it’s hoping to make the entire game “look, feel, and sound different”, with fresh details added to key events such as the annual NFL Draft, and Super Bowl trophy presentation. Tied into that are two new commentary crews. Brandon Gaudin and Charles Davis are back, but we’re also getting alternate voices on the mic. The pairings of Mike Tirico and Greg Olsen, and Kate Scott and Brock Huard, deliver 42,000 new dialogue segments – and should add welcome depth on the presentation front.

Madden 25 franchise mode overhaul

While gameplay tweaks sound incremental, Madden 25 franchise mode appears to be receiving a much more detailed makeover. Dynamic off-field storylines are promised, in which you deal with player and staff personalities on the sidelines and in meeting rooms, press conferences, and coaching offices. The AI’s competency at building rosters through free agency and the draft has been reconfigured, as has aged-based player progression.