Is NBA 2K26 Coming to Xbox Game Pass? Will NBA 2K26 Be Available for Xbox Game Pass Subscribers at Launch?

September is shaping up to be an exciting month for sports gaming, with NBA 2K26 set to release on September 5. The game is already available for early access as of August 29, and many are wondering if it will be included in the Xbox Game Pass catalog. Let’s break it down.

❌ Can You Play NBA 2K26 on Xbox Game Pass?

At launch, NBA 2K26 will not be available to play with an Xbox Game Pass subscription. While Game Pass frequently adds exciting new titles, NBA 2K26 is not expected to be part of the service right away.

NBA 2K26 is not an Xbox first-party title, which would make it eligible for automatic inclusion in Game Pass. Additionally, unlike EA Sports, 2K does not typically offer a free trial period for their games through Game Pass.

With no “Coming to Game Pass” badge on the Xbox Store page and no official announcements, it seems clear that NBA 2K26 will not be available on Game Pass at launch.

🔮 Will NBA 2K26 Come to Xbox Game Pass Later?

While NBA 2K26 will not be available at launch, there is still a possibility it could come to Xbox Game Pass in the future. However, no official announcements have been made confirming this.

2K has a history of working closely with Xbox, with NBA 2K24 previously available on Game Pass for several months and NBA 2K25 offering a free-play weekend for subscribers. Other 2K titles, like Borderlands, have also been featured on the service, often toward the later stages of their life cycle.

If NBA 2K26 does come to Game Pass, it will likely be after the 2026 release of the next installment in the series. However, it's possible that promotional events, such as a free-play weekend, could make the game available to Game Pass users before then.

🤔 Conclusion: Is NBA 2K26 Coming to Xbox Game Pass?

At the moment, NBA 2K26 will not be available to Xbox Game Pass subscribers at launch. While there is potential for it to come to Game Pass in the future, especially after the game's release window, no official announcement has been made yet.

For now, NBA 2K26 is a must-buy for those eager to play it right away, but Xbox Game Pass subscribers may have to wait before it makes its way to the service.