In Madden NFL 26, playing co-op with friends is about finding the correct mode that fits how you want to enjoy the game together. Whether you’re sitting on the same couch passing controllers around or coordinating online with people miles away, Madden 26 has multiple ways to make it happen.
From casual Quick Play sessions to competitive Ultimate Team setups, there’s a mode for every type of football friend group. This time, there is also an option to Relocate the Team without any hassle.
How to play co-op with friends in Madden NFL 26
Madden NFL 26, like other EA Sports titles such as College Football 26 and EA FC 25, offers a variety of solo and multiplayer experiences. While some modes are designed for single players, many allow you to play with a friend or compete against them. If you’re looking for a simple one-on-one match, the Head-to-Head (H2H) mode is the easiest way to get started. Here are the steps:
- Load up Madden NFL 26.
- From the main menu, select Online H2H from the mode list.
- Choose Play a Friend (this lets you face off with random players).
- To invite your friend, open the EA App overlay on PC (or the built-in overlay on consoles).
- From there, you’ll see your friends list. Only friends currently online in Madden NFL 26 can receive match requests.
- If your friend isn’t already on your EA friends list, add them by searching their username or Player ID.
Once they accept your invite, you’ll both land in the same lobby. Before starting, you can tweak match settings like quarter length, injury toggles, or game style, so the game feels exactly how you want it. You can even run with a custom squad by adjusting your depth chart separately from the default roster.
You might also try setting up co-op games through an online Franchise league, but Ultimate Team tends to be the more flexible option for quick co-op matchmaking.
Playing 2v2 or 3v3 with friends
Local 2v2 or 3v3 is simple, just connect extra controllers in Quick Play and split teams however you want. But if you’re not in the same room, you’ll need to set things up online. Another reliable way to run online 2v2 or 3v3 is through Ultimate Team. From there, you can invite friends into your squad:
- Go to Play as a Friend in Ultimate Team.
- Invite friends to your squad from the friends list.
- Use LB (Xbox) or L1 (PlayStation) to switch between duos and trios.
Once your squad is set, you’ll be matched against another team of random players. Everyone can pick their preferred role, so the team can be as balanced or as chaotic as you want in Madden NFL 26.
