Madden NFL 26 Week 13 Roster Update: Expected Release Date & What to Know EA Sports is preparing the next roster refresh just in time for Thanksgiving football

The Week 13 roster refresh is right around the corner, and Madden NFL 26 players will soon have access to the newest depth charts, injury adjustments, and personnel changes across the league. Roster updates don’t include gameplay tuning or fixes, but they do bring the most accurate NFL lineups into the game — perfect for Franchise purists or anyone trying to settle scores with friends using current rosters.

🗓️ When Is the Week 13 Roster Update Coming?

EA Sports typically releases weekly roster updates on Thursdays, and Week 13 should follow the same pattern.

Expected Release Window:

Primary date: Thursday, November 27, 2025
Possible alternate dates (Thanksgiving disruption):
- Black Friday, November 28
- Saturday, November 29

No matter the holiday schedule, the update should be live before Sunday’s NFL slate kicks off.

If you haven’t updated rosters before:

1. Launch Madden 26 while connected to the internet. 2. Go to the Creation Center from the main menu. 3. Navigate to “Edit Rosters.” 4. Select “Update Rosters” to download the latest official file.

The whole process takes under a minute.

🦃 Week 13 = Thanksgiving Football

Week 13 isn’t just any week — it’s one of the most stacked football lineups of the year.

Below is a quick rundown of the big matchups that highlight how impactful this roster update will feel in Madden 26.

🏈 Packers vs. Lions (Thanksgiving Game 1)

Green Bay and Detroit both enter Week 13 fresh off Week 12 wins
Injuries have hit both rosters, making this update crucial for accuracy
The Lions look to avenge their Week 1 loss, while the Packers try to stay competitive in the NFC North race

⭐ Chiefs vs. Cowboys (Thanksgiving Game 2)

Two heavyweight teams meet in Dallas:

Both are coming off big wins
Both are trying to correct midseason inconsistencies
A loss here could derail playoff hopes for either side

Expect notable rating changes on both squads after their recent performances.

⚡ Bengals vs. Ravens (Thanksgiving Game 3)

The night game brings major storylines:

Joe Burrow is expected back under center
Joe Flacco has played solid football in Cincy but hasn't produced wins
The Bengals’ season could hinge on this matchup

This is one of the games most likely to spark rating shifts in Week 14’s update as well.

🦅 Black Friday Football: Bears vs. Eagles

At 3 PM ET (again), Chicago heads to Philadelphia:

Bears have won four straight
Eagles are trying to fix offensive issues
Both teams sit just behind the first-place Rams in the NFC race

A huge statement game for both sides.

🏙️ Week 13 Finale: Giants vs. Patriots

Week 13 wraps up with New York taking on New England — two teams desperate for momentum. Expect depth chart adjustments and injury updates to reflect each team’s late-season struggles.

🧠 Final Thoughts

The Week 13 roster update may shift release dates slightly due to the holiday week, but it will arrive before the weekend — giving players the most accurate lineup data for one of the NFL’s biggest slates of the season.

Whether you’re starting a new Franchise run or just hopping into Play Now, up-to-date rosters make Madden feel dramatically more authentic.