EA Sports has officially revealed Matthew Tkachuk as the cover star for NHL 26, with the game set to release on September 12, 2025, for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Tkachuk, who played a pivotal role in the Florida Panthers' back-to-back Stanley Cup victories, scored the title-winning goal in this year's showdown with the Edmonton Oilers.

Cover Stars and Editions

While Tkachuk is the sole athlete featured on the Standard Edition cover, his brother Brady and father Keith join him on the Deluxe Edition cover. This follows the tradition set by the Hughes brothers (Quinn, Jack, and Luke) who graced the cover of the previous iteration.

Pre-Order Benefits and Features

The Deluxe Edition offers a week of advanced access and several in-game items. Both editions provide pre-order benefits, including a 99 OVR card for the current iteration of the series.

Enhanced Gameplay and New Modes

NHL 26 introduces gameplay enhancements powered by NHL EDGE data and X-Factors that improve player abilities. The game also features a revamped Be A Pro mode, allowing players to follow an athlete's journey from rookie to superstar, and the new HUT Seasons mode.

For more details, visit the EA Sports official website.