With ICE-Q 2.0 at its core, NHL 26 delivers smarter AI, more authentic skating, and a Be A Pro mode that finally feels meaningful. While a few visual shortcomings remain, the combination of realism, depth, and pure hockey excitement makes this one of the best entries in the series’ modern era.
NHL 262025
NHL 26
2025 EA Sports71Good
Playtime
LongIt typically takes about 40 hours to finish the game.
Playable on
Included with
- EA Play
Available on
- $69.99
Game modes
- 2–4 players
- 2–12 players
Details
- Launch
- September 12, 2025
- Developer
- EA Vancouver
- Publisher
- EA Sports
- Themes
Overview
Play like a superstar in EA Sports NHL 26. That starts with ICE-Q 2.0, now powered by NHL EDGE data, so your favorite superstars think, move, and play like their on-ice selves. That includes data-informed Attributes and Tendencies which make star players perform in true-to-life fashion, with their playstyles and decision-making game-aware and impactful. A fine-tuned and enhanced arsenal of 28 X-Factors spans five different categories and is driven by unique animations, tactical gameplay outcomes, and tiers of impact, turning each into a formidable on-ice weapon. Superstars now truly feel like superstars.
Screenshots
Reception
Press73
Good- Metacritic73from 25 reviews
- OpenCritic72from 20 reviews
The annual hockey update arrived a little earlier this year, but it still feels very much the same.
EA Sports NHL 26 is a good base game with some decent improvements in their more niche modes. Players of those modes should be happy, but players looking for a larger leap in the game as a whole shouldn't hold their breath.
NHL 26 finally brings a significant improvement over previous editions, mainly thanks to smoother gameplay, smarter AI, and greatly improved goalies. The most important new feature is the revamped Be a Pro mode, which now offers an authentic career experience, from junior beginnings to competing for a spot in the NHL. On the other hand, the game still...
NHL 26 isn't a massive overhaul by any means. The title fixates on a couple of key areas to improve upon, and unlike some previous entries, it succeeds. The new updates to Be A Pro, chiefly the World Juniors and voice acting, are incredibly welcome. Even more so, the tweaks to the hitting engine and especially goaltending are phenomenal. But that's...