NHL 26 Early Access and Release Times Details Revealed

Three members of the Tkachuk family are featured on the cover of the deluxe edition of NHL 26 by EA Sports. Brothers Matthew and Brady Tkachuk are proudly showcased alongside their father, Keith Tkachuk. (Image Credit: EA)

NHL 26 is gearing up for release, and fans who can’t wait until launch day have the option to hit the ice a week earlier through exclusive early access.

The game officially launches on September 12 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, but those who purchase the Deluxe Edition can start playing from September 5.

According to the PlayStation Store, here are the early access timings:

• Los Angeles, USA: 9:00 AM – Sept 5 - PDT (UTC−7)

• Houston, USA: 11:00 AM – Sept 5 - CDT (UTC−5)

• New York, USA: 12:00 PM – Sept 5 - EDT (UTC−4)

• London, UK: 5:00 PM – Sept 5 - BST (UTC+1)

• Sydney, Australia: 2:00 AM – Sept 6 - AEDT (UTC+11)

As for editions, EA keeps things fairly simple this year. The Standard Edition is priced at $69.99 and comes with NHL Points, a player pack, and an XP boost. Meanwhile, the Deluxe Edition, costing $99.99, offers the same perks along with the crucial benefit of early access. For dedicated hockey fans, this head start might be worth the extra investment.

NHL 26 continues to hold its spot as the go-to ice hockey simulation, especially with 2K’s series having been inactive since 2014. The new installment features updated gameplay with the ICE-Q 2.0 engine, improvements to Be A Pro mode, and returning X-Factors, keeping the franchise fresh while maintaining its loyal following.