EA revealed information on Madden 25 this week which was just a tad above introductory. First-hand impressions like the one I wrote here helped to plug some gaps too.
For users who may be just hopping into the flow of information on the upcoming title, here’s answers to the 10 biggest questions about the game. For some of the questions, the answers will be incomplete.
I’ll update the answers with more detailed information as EA makes it available.
What is Madden 25’s Release Date?
Madden 25 is scheduled to release on August 16 globally for PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Series X/S and PC. However, customers who pre-order the game will get early access beginning on August 13.
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Who is the Madden 25 Cover Athlete?
The cover athlete is San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey. He is featured on the standard and digital editions of the game.
When Are the Madden 25 Player Ratings Going to Be Released?
The full ratings haven’t been released, but football insider Dov Kleinman reported a leak related to the first members of the 99 club. According to Kleinman, McCaffrey, Justin Jefferson, Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, and Tyreek Hill are all 99 overall players.
Expect ratings to begin rolling in after the release of College Football 25, which comes out on July 19.
When is the Madden 25 Trailer Going to Be Released?
The official trailer is expected to drop this month. When it is released, I’ll post it here.
What Are the New Madden 25 Features in Gameplay and Presentation?
BOOM Tech is the latest tech brand EA is using with Madden.
It’s essentially building off a previous tech branding called FieldSense. It is an animation-branching system designed to create more fun and realistic gameplay. The fundamental principles in Boom Tech are physics-based tackling with reworked hit sticks, cut sticks, trucks, dives, and stiff arms all incorporated.
My favorite part is how timing, momentum, weight, speed, strength, and player ratings determine the results in 1-on-1 situations on the field and how other players entering the fray impact those outcomes.
Hit sticks are about angle and timing, designed to bring more skill to perform perfectly. The ball-carrier control is on another level with the number of jukes, spins, and overall moves you can chain together.
From a visual standpoint, this is easily the best-looking Madden game ever. After my preview, I felt that this is the first time in a while I’ve been legitimately impressed by the graphics in a version of the series. The lighting, 3-D grass, perfectly rendered uniforms, and increased accuracy of the player likenesses should excite fans looking for visual authenticity.
There are now multiple commentary teams, which should help to keep the experience fresh from an audio standpoint.
We met and had an opportunity to watch Kate Scott work, and her voice is even more impressive in person than it is in broadcasts.
What New Features Will Be in Madden 25's Franchise Mode and Superstar?
Franchise mode is finally beginning to see some real upgrades.
While we didn't see it in action, we saw clips of the new NFL Draft Night presentation. I'd like to see if the improvements will last throughout the cycle.
The newer dynamic storylines have more depth; some now last longer than a season. Franchise mode has additional stat tracking to keep rookie and team records. The AI is designed to be more competent in free agency and draft selections, but we'll need to see this in action to confirm its potency.
Madden 25 will also be the first year crossplay is available in franchise mode at launch, boosting users who have longed for that functionality.
The most significant addition to franchise mode is Team Builder. According to EA, users can upload their custom logos, personalize team uniforms (I'm told this functionality won't be based on a cookie-cutter template), and field.
These changes can be shared in the download center for others in the community. The teams can be used in online and offline franchise modes.
Customization has been Madden's and EA's biggest area for improvement. If TB works how advertised and has no silly limitations, it will make creating teams and players easier than ever in Madden.
Superstar mode has also received several upgrades. There are new archetypes, faces, hair, and tattoos. There are also new Combine drills to play to upgrade your character before taking them into The League or Showdown.
You'll also be able to import your Road to Glory character from College Football 25 into Madden 25.
What New Features Will Be in Madden 25's Ultimate Team and Online Regs?
Ultimate Team will have a new Head-to-Head ranked mode. Only wins count in the effort to rank up, and users can earn ranking points, ascend or descend in divisions, and collect rewards. If you can reach the Top 100, you'll join the Legends Division.
Solo Seasons lets users play full games against AI opponents of various skill levels.
Ultimate Team will embody the series' always-on approach more than any other. Per EA, as the NFL season progresses, Ultimate Team will be updated with content that is new and relevant to the current season. This content release pattern will even extend post-Super Bowl and up to the launch of Madden 26.
Ultimate Team will also introduce 6-on-6 games for a more wide-open experience.
Online regs will now have a new leaderboard and structure. Users will compete to move through four divisions to reach the Top 100 division.
What Are the Madden 25 Pre-Order Bonuses?
Here is a breakdown of all of the Madden 25 pre-order bonuses.
Standard Edition Pre-Order
Pre-order EA SPORTS Madden NFL 25 today and receive:
- Dual Entitlement (PlayStation & Xbox)
- Superstar Drip Gear + Legendary XP Boost (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, & PC only)
- Choice of 2 Strategy Items (1 Offense & 1 Defense)
- Christian McCaffrey Elite Player Item
Deluxe Edition Pre-Order
Pre-order the EA SPORTS Madden NFL 25 Deluxe Edition and receive:
- 3 Day Early Access
- 4600 Madden Points
- AKA Player Item (if pre-ordered by August 1)
- Exclusive Early Access Solo Challenges
- Dual Entitlement (PlayStation & Xbox)
- Superstar Drip Gear + Legendary XP Boost (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, & PC only)
- Choice of 2 Strategy Items (1 Offense & 1 Defense)
- Christian McCaffrey Elite Player Item
MVP Bundle
Pre-order the MVP Bundle by August 15 and receive:
Madden NFL 25 Deluxe Edition
- 3 Day Early Access
- 4600 Madden Points
- Early Access Ultimate Team Challenges
- AKA Player Item
- Cover Athlete Elite Player Item
- Elite Player Item (Bundle Exclusive)
- Choice of 2 Strategy Items
- Superstar Drip Gear (PS5 or Xbox Series X|S only)
- Legendary XP Boost (PS5 or Xbox Series X|S only)
College Football 25 Deluxe Edition (PS5 or Xbox Series X|S only)
- 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)
- Road to Glory Ultimate Team Uniform Item
How Often Will Madden 25 Player Ratings and Likenesses Be Updated?
Player ratings and likenesses should be updated throughout the season as they have been over the past several years. With more accurate likenesses at launch, the bar has been raised in this area.
Will Madden 25 Deliver More Frequent Gridiron Notes?
I wouldn't expect to see Gridiron Notes more frequently than before. The first edition of GN is linked here. EA does a pretty good job keeping this information flowing to users, and that should continue for Madden 25.
