opens in new window
UPDATE 14 July 2026

EA SPORTS Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition brings authentic gridiron action to Apple Arcade on 6 August

The award-winning service delivers a premium Madden experience right in players’ hands, joining NFL Retro Bowl ’27 and Retro Bowl College+ in an unrivalled roster of hit sports games
Suit up, call the plays and compete for gridiron glory. EA SPORTS Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition debuts on 6 August on Apple Arcade.
On 6 August, the most authentic NFL video game comes to Apple devices with Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition. Designed specifically for Apple Arcade, this all-new release in the massively popular franchise lets fans live out their gridiron dreams, offering an immersive season-based experience featuring current NFL teams and realistic simulation gameplay. Arcade also welcomes NFL Retro Bowl ’27 and Retro Bowl College+, adding to the blockbuster catalogue of hit sports games on the service including Football Manager 26 Touch, Mini Football Legends, NBA 2K26 Arcade Edition, NFL Retro Bowl ’26, PGA TOUR Pro Golf, Skate City: New York and more.
“From the pitch to the court to the gridiron, Apple Arcade delivers an unmatched line-up of sports games for every kind of fan,” said Alex Rofman, Apple’s senior director of Apple Arcade. “I’ve been a longtime Madden NFL player and adding this legendary franchise to our catalogue is a dream come true. Just in time for the new season, our Arcade community can now dive into an authentic NFL experience alongside other massive sports hits like NFL Retro Bowl, NBA 2K and Football Manager, all in one place.”
Art from the game EA SPORTS Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition.
Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition developed by EA.
“Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition is a chance to bring the most authentic NFL experience to a new audience of football fans, letting them play and compete as the league’s most elite players, or take control as GM and shape a franchise,” said Evan Dexter, EA’s vice president of Franchise Strategy and Marketing. “Apple Arcade is the perfect home for Madden as a premium platform that matches the complete, no-compromise experience we’ve built. Whether you’re playing on your iPhone on the go or on Apple TV with friends and family, the future of football is now in your hands.”
Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition delivers the pure football experience players seek, a complete Madden NFL game free from ads or in-app purchases. Players can dive into fan-favourite Franchise and Quick Play modes featuring dynamic player ratings built on real-world NFL performances. Powered by a weekly story engine, Franchise mode puts players in the GM seat to navigate season-shifting narratives, win over fan bases and build a championship team. With seamless controller support across iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV, Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition brings players closer to the action exactly how they want to play, wherever they are.
A screen shows gameplay from Retro Bowl College+ on a 13-inch iPad Air.
Retro Bowl College+ developed by New Star Games.
Sports fans looking for even more football action can tackle Retro Bowl College+ on 6 August. In this beloved spin-off of the hit Retro Bowl 8-bit game, players can make a name for themselves as a winning head coach for one of 250 college teams.
Key art from Retro Bowl ’27.
NFL Retro Bowl ’27 developed by New Star Games.
On 3 September, NFL Retro Bowl ’27 kicks off a brand-new season. The hit pixel-art game is raising the stakes with a thrilling new Gauntlet Mode. Starting with limited resources, armchair GMs must survive a gruelling 15-game win streak with the highest score among other players. Along the way, they must choose between safe match-ups or high-risk opponents, and the rewards of real NFL stars or powerful perks. Player XP and abilities carry over after a loss, with every run fuelling a relentless climb toward an epic winner-takes-all showdown against a bitter division nemesis and weekly leader-board supremacy.
Gameplay from NBA 2K26 is displayed on iPhone 17 Pro.
NBA 2K26 Arcade Edition developed by Visual Concepts and 2K Games.
With a constant stream of new releases and updates to current favourites, Apple Arcade ensures that players always have something to look forward to. Sports fans keep winning. The latest update to NBA 2K26 Arcade Edition is out now, adding two-time All-Star Tyrese Maxey as the newest Paragon player, along with the 2016–2024 Era to The Association mode. Also available now in PGA TOUR Pro Golf is an all-new course, Bear’s Best Atlanta, and on 16 July, NFL Retro Bowl ’26 introduces a new set of Apple Games Historic Super Bowl challenges, where players can tackle some of the biggest match-ups in Super Bowl history.
Gameplay of PGA TOUR Pro Golf is displayed on an 11-inch iPad.
PGA TOUR Pro Golf developed by HypGames, Inc.
Pricing and Availability
  • Apple Arcade is available for NZ$12.99 inc. GST per month with a one-month free trial.¹ Customers who purchase a new iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple TV could receive three months of Apple Arcade for free.2
  • Apple Arcade is part of Apple One’s Individual (NZ$29.95 inc. GST), Family (NZ$39.95 inc. GST) and Premier (NZ$55.95 inc. GST) plans, with a one-month free trial.3
  • Arcade Originals are playable across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV and Apple Vision Pro.⁴ App Store Greats are available on iPhone, iPad and Apple Vision Pro.
  • An Apple Arcade subscription gives a family of up to six unlimited access to all the games in its catalogue.
  • Availability for the 200+ games across devices varies based on hardware and software compatibility. Some content may not be available in all areas.
Share article

Media

  • Text of this article

  • Media in this article

  1. One-month trial: This offer is available to new subscribers only. Apple Arcade costs NZ$12.99 inc. GST per month after the free trial. Plan automatically renews until cancelled. Terms apply.
  2.  Three-month trial: This offer is available to new subscribers only. Apple Arcade costs NZ$12.99 inc. GST per month after the free trial. Only one offer per Apple Account and only one offer per family if you’re part of a Family Sharing group, regardless of the number of devices you or your family purchase. This offer is not available if you or your family have previously accepted an Apple Arcade three-month free offer. Offer is good for three months after eligible device activation. Plan automatically renews until cancelled. Restrictions and other terms apply.
  3. The Apple One free trial includes only services that are not currently used through a free trial or a subscription. The plan automatically renews after the trial until cancelled. Restrictions and other terms apply.
  4. Apple Vision Pro is available in Australia, Canada, China (mainland), Hong Kong, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the UAE, the UK and the US.