In case anyone hasn’t noticed, video games are getting pretty expensive these days. If you’re in the market for a triple-A video game, then you’re spending no less than $70 (plus tax) per game, sometimes more if you want a special edition. Hell, if you own a Nintendo Switch 2, some games are retailing for $80 upon release. It’s a mad world out there. And if you’re a longtime Madden fan (or simply someone who is desperate to play a football game and has no real choice in the matter), then surprise — be ready to fork out $70 for Madden 26, the latest entry into the series.
However, like most digital goods, the day will come when Madden 26 inevitably goes on sale and becomes at least a little bit more affordable than its sticker price. But when will it go on sale? And how much can you save?
When Will Madden 26 Go On Sale?
While I can’t find any official information on when Madden 26 will be going on sale (which I’m not surprised by, given that companies won’t tank their release sales by advertising a sale), we can go on past years to determine the likely days it will be marked down from sticker price.
A safe bet when it comes to a sale is Black Friday. Though this mostly applies to physical copies of games in the old brick-and-mortar stores, digital gaming marketplaces will often cut prices on games during that period. The size of the discount is completely arbitrary, though 25% seems to often be the sweet spot. Therefore, you can expect the standard edition of Madden 26 to likely go for $10-15 cheaper than its normal sticker price.
This year, Black Friday falls on November 28, 2025. So, if you’re walking around the mall that day, check into your local GameStop or digital goods store and see what kind of discount you can get. You can also check your digital marketplace of choice to see if anything is happening in that regard, too.
Beyond Black Friday, Cyber Monday is also a safe bet to check around for Madden 26 at a reduced cost. And even after those dates, many games will start going on sale right around Christmas. And if you’re in no rush to grab Madden 26 before the end of the calendar year, Madden games will often go on sale right as the playoffs start in January.
Is Madden 26 Worth Getting?
If you’re unwilling to buy Madden 26 at its normal retail price, you’re likely unsure of whether or not it’s worth getting. And who can blame you? After all, Madden remains one of the most maligned sports franchises in gaming. In that case, we’ve got you covered as well.
Shortly after it came out in early access, our very own Tyler Erickson did a review of the game. And in it, he found way more good than bad, especially as it pertains to the revamped Franchise Mode. Don’t get it twisted — Madden 26 is far from a perfect game and, like many other EA Sports titles, is monetized to high heaven. That said, it’s a solid and mostly enjoyable title. And, to be fair, the complaints about the game from the Operation Sports community seem pretty subdued this year, especially amongst the ones creating slider sets.
