Madden NFL 26 Season 5 Update on January 7 Released as Patch 1.012
The first Madden NFL 26 update of 2026 is live on all platforms, and this adds new stuff into the football sim, and is more than just your standard patch for fixes.
Console gamers will see this download appear as Madden NFL 26 update 1.012 (complete version 1.012.000), and this adds new superstar abilities, new gear and more as part of Season 5.
Read on for what’s new in the official patch notes.
Madden NFL 26 Season 5 Patch Notes for Version 1.012
According to EA, the Season 5 update adds new gear, new superstar gear, new superstar abilities.
PROTECTOR
PASSERS WITH THIS ABILITY RECEIVE BETTER PASS BLOCKING FROM THEIR OFFENSE
LONG RANGE DEAD EYE
PASSERS WITH THIS ABILITY HAVE PERFECT ACCURACY ON ALL DEEP THROWS WHILE THEIR FEET ARE SET (EXCEPT ON HIGH/LOW THROWS).
FEARLESS
ASSERS WITH THIS ABILITY HAVE A REDUCED CHANCE TO BE IMPACTED BY THROW PENALTIES CAUSED BY DEFENSIVE PRESSURE WHILE THEIR FEET ARE SET IN THE POCKET
ULTIMATE TEAM™ EVENTS
PLAYOFFS
The most exciting part of the NFL season is now officially in Madden NFL 26 Ultimate Team. As each round of the Playoffs concludes, new player items, Challenges, and store offers will be released so you can keep building your dream roster, postseason-style.
Not only will new player items be released after each round of the Playoffs, these new items will also get special round-specific chemistries that can give you even more of a boost with each release.
Back in the Ultimate Team Playoffs this year are upgradeable Team Reps: 14 players (1 from each Playoffs-bound team) are available for a short time as a login reward during the first few days of the program. Use Upgrade Tokens to boost these stars all the way to 94 OVR – but don’t be too hasty, because Team Reps who win their games will be upgradeable for fewer tokens.
Don’t miss Fan Forecasts, where you can pick the winner of each Playoffs matchup to earn Upgrade Tokens for upgrading Team Reps players or in the Playoffs Store. Each round, you’ll get a limited amount of unique round-specific Forecast Tokens with a limited amount of time to place them in Forecast Sets.
SUPER BOWL
The Big Game. The Championship. The most exciting NFL game of the season has finally arrived. Get new player items for players who starred in past Super Bowls, as well as those from both teams heading to this year’s game. Complete Challenges in Gridiron Gold Rush to earn Coins, upgrade your Super Bowl Stars via the Field Pass, and and earn special Ring Seeker Players that can use a Super Bowl Ring Upgrade Token to instantly take them to Champion OVR and unlock special abilities.
Play the Classic Super Bowl H2H game throughout the event, compete for your place on the Super Bowl Weekend event leaderboard, and don’t miss the one-time-only Super Bowl Day event.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Get a Welcome Pack with five 80 OVR player items when you log in, and learn the stories of each players’ lives and careers by playing Challenges throughout the event. Earn Upgrade Tokens to boost their OVR via the Field Pass and by completing Challenges.
FLASHBACKS
Celebrate epic NFL games of the past–featuring both current players and legendary NFL stars. Grab new player items, some upgradeable using other player items (including Champions and LTDs), complete Challenges, and fill Sets to earn rewards.
For the Field Pass info, head on to EA’s website.
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