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Superstar Mode Brings Relationship Element in Madden NFL 26

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On June 27, 2025

In a tandem reveal, EA has released a trailer and details for both College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26 involving its single player career modes. Road to Glory and Superstar Mode are intertwined as graduating college means moving to the NFL and the devs recognize this. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Superstar Mode in Madden. This will be the most impactful update dating back twenty years to when this individualistic mode was introduced. Game Day Beats, Sphere of Influence and Career Chapters are the three core features that truly shape the mode for this year’s Madden that launches on August 14 for only current generation consoles and PC.

Breaking Down and Breaking Up the Career

Superstar Mode will introduce Career Chapters for the first time in Madden NFL 26. The path to stardom has many steps and you will be able to experience these individual steps to the top. Players will start as a backup and grind your way to full-time starter by impressing the coach. The dev team has made it a goal to have fun as a backup. They should not have to play endless chains of drills each week. Game action can include mop-up duty in a blowout or the chance to play for a game or two if the starter gets beat up.

The dev team has made it a goal to have fun as a backup.

There will be a threat of consequences for the first time in the series. Previously, no matter how bad you did you still had your spot. Now, that’s not going to happen. If you don’t meet coach objectives, you will get benched. Everyone likes a redemption arc though. You can earn your spot back after getting benched. Players can now demand trades for the first time. Once enough influence is achieved with your agent, the option will be available at the end of every season. Trading teams, however, does not guarantee a starting spot. You will be building relationships with teammates, once again.

Superstar Mode Brings Relationship Element in Madden NFL 26

Initial Hands-On Madden NFL 26 Impressions

A big focus remains on delivering authenticity with styles, which is all here. There’s also a lot that cannot be discussed.

Moving through these Career Chapters requires players to earn influence with key characters. When discussing building relationships with teammates, this is a part of the Sphere of Influence. The Career Chapters are listed as such:

Chapter List:

High Expectations
Move Up the Depth Chart
Prove You Belong
Next Steps
Becoming Team Leader
Fan Sensation
Superstar
Hall of Famer

Redemption Chapters:

Find Your Footing
Earn Your Spot Back
A Step Back

Introduction of Personal Relationships

The Sphere of Influence allows you to form relationships both on and off the field. Balancing these relationships is a great challenge, and much like Road to Glory, you’re losing out in one area. As a QB, do you want to maximize your connection with a particular receiver? You will gain influence points with them by meeting objectives for each character. A QB not throwing to a WR can lead to turmoil (see Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs).

When maximizing the Influence Level of a character, they become part of the Inner Circle. You will not lose Influence Points once they are in that circle. An Influence Modifier is attached to those within the Inner Circle, thus earning a higher overall rate of points. The head coach relationship is the most important, as this dictates playing time, more plays and pre-play commands.

A QB not throwing to a WR can lead to turmoil (see Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs).

Teammates relationships stem from your playing habits in real time. If you are a QB that targets a TE often, that will build a very quick bond. Some of the best rewards come from teammate relationships including ratings boosts and Abilities. Other characters will be spread throughout the experience and will have an individual reward path with exclusive rewards. For example, the Tattoo Artist can be unlocked that will rewards specific tattoos that can be used.

The Beats of Game Day in Madden NFL 26

Game Day Beats means that Superstar Mode will be more than just a “menu mode”. A revolutionary new system, Game Day Beats will make every week feel different. No longer will it be stagnant repetition as every week will have a specific purpose. Are you a running back and your best lineman is out for the game? What about a weather impact? All of these play in specific aspects weekly. The idea is to organically generate themes based on the many variables of your current league. No two playthroughs will be the same.

The idea is to organically generate themes based on the many variables of your current league.

Every position will have a unique set of Game Day Beats. These will included tailored objectives and modifiers. As Chapters and your Superstar evolve, new Game Day Beats that you have never seen will appear. Subtle storylines like stats, win streaks and rivalries can trigger Game Day Beats. There will be more than 400 different Game Day Beats at launch.

Here are just a few examples of some Game Day Beats:

HOT POCKET – face a defense that relies on a relentless blitzing scheme.
SHOVELS OUT – a game played in heavy snow conditions.
JET LAGGED – fight off the sluggishness of a cross-country road trip.
UNDERDOGS – face a top team in a game you are expected to lose.
BREAK THE SLUMP – end a losing streak.
PUT IN WORK – you’re QB2 and getting a shot to play in the preseason.

For more information about Superstar Mode including Superstar Live and more gameplay breakdowns, head over to the Gridiron Notes here. You can either import players from College Football 26 or start fresh on Madden NFL 26.