EA Sports has announced the first gameplay still shot for the forthcoming Madden NFL 26 video game, revealing a captivating image of cover athlete Saquon Barkley, the Philadelphia Eagles' star running back, making an impressive run against the Green Bay Packers. This reveal, shared via a post on X, highlights the dynamic nature of gameplay that gamers can expect in the new installment.

In addition to the gameplay image, EA Sports has scheduled the release of the official reveal trailer for Madden NFL 26 on Wednesday at 10:45 a.m. ET. Saquon Barkley was named as the cover athlete just days prior, following a remarkable season where he joined the elite 2,000-yard rushing club. Barkley recorded an impressive total of 2,005 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in his first year with the Eagles, contributing significantly to the team's success by finishing third in NFL MVP voting and earning NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors. Furthermore, he played a key role in leading the Eagles to victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

Barkley marks the second consecutive running back to grace the Madden cover, following Christian McCaffrey, who was featured as the cover athlete for Madden 25 while with the San Francisco 49ers. The official release date for Madden NFL 26 is set for August 14; however, players who pre-order the Deluxe Edition or MVP Bundle will have the opportunity to start playing three days earlier, beginning August 11. The MVP Bundle offers gamers a unique chance to acquire both Madden NFL 26 and College Football 26 simultaneously, thanks to the interconnected features introduced this year. A recent trailer for the MVP Bundle revealed that players can create characters in 'Road to Glory' mode in College Football 26, which can subsequently be imported into Madden NFL 26 for use in Superstar Mode. As further details about gameplay and features unfold, clarity is anticipated with the release of the official trailer on YouTube.