EA Sports has officially revealed NHL 26, and the prominent announcement revolves around the game`s cover stars. Matthew Tkachuk, a standout player for the Florida Panthers, graces the standard edition of the game. However, the Deluxe version features a truly unique family affair: it showcases not only Matthew but also his brother Brady Tkachuk, who captains the Ottawa Senators, alongside their father, Keith Tkachuk. Keith is a distinguished NHL veteran with an impressive 18-year career, having retired in 2010.
This marks a continuation of a family-themed tradition for EA Sports` Deluxe editions. Last year, NHL 25`s premium cover similarly featured the Hughes brothers – Jack, Luke, and Quinn – all appearing together.
NHL 26 is set to launch on September 12, available for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. EA Sports is promising significant enhancements, including refined gameplay mechanics, more immersive presentation, and notable updates to the popular Be A Pro mode, among other new features designed to improve the player experience.
Matthew Tkachuk has recently achieved remarkable success, securing back-to-back Stanley Cup victories with the Panthers. Notably, during this year`s intense playoffs, he bravely played through a severe adductor muscle tear. Recent reports from earlier this week indicate that this injury might cause Tkachuk to miss the commencement of the upcoming NHL season.
“I always told the boys to play hard, be smart, and never lose their personality out there,” Keith Tkachuk shared in an official press release. “What you see now is two players with totally unique styles, and I’m proud to be sharing the cover with them.”
NHL 26 is one of several anticipated sports titles from EA Sports scheduled for release in 2025. The sports game calendar kicked off with College Football 26 in July, followed by Madden NFL 26 later this month. NHL 26`s release conveniently precedes EA Sports FC 26, which is slated for September 26.