When does NHL 25 come out? Cover athletes, release date, supported platforms and other key details explored

With the next hockey season rapidly approaching, it's time to start looking ahead to NHL 25. The hit hockey simulation game has been on shelves at yearly intervals for a long time, continually evolving to match modern gaming trends. The next game will come out this year. Here's what we know.

---

All About NHL 25

NHL 25 Release Date

NHL 25 is coming out for the 2024-25 hockey season. As such, it will arrive shortly before the hockey season begins.

The next game will be released on October 4, the same day the NHL's next season begins.

---

NHL 25 Cover Athletes

For the first time, there will not be one cover athlete but three. EA has leaned in this direction with other games, including College Football 25. This time, brothers Quinn, Jack and Luke Hughes will man the cover.

Jack Hughes will be on the NHL 25 cover (Imagn)

Quinn Hughes plays for the Vancouver Canucks, while both Jack Hughes and Luke Hughes are members of the New Jersey Devils. All three will be on the main cover, though there will be alternate editions.

---

NHL Platforms

For the first time, EA Sports is moving NHL to current-gen consoles only. Other games, even Madden 25 and College Football 25 are available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

That won't be the case for NHL 25. It will be exclusive to Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. PC was not listed among the platforms in the press release from EA Sports.

---

NHL 25 introduces ICE-Q

NHL 25 is driven by ICE-Q, making this game different from its predecessors. It aims to give players time and space to control every part of the ice. The idea is to replicate the NHL's top talent.

Mike Inglehart, Senior Game Design Director at EA Vancouver, said of the new change:

“The new ICE-Q gameplay system represents a foundational shift in how players will experience the game, with its deep intelligence giving them complete control of the ice. Hockey is built different, with NHL 25 delivering greater authenticity, bigger team rivalries and inspired by the sport’s next-generation superstars who continue to redefine the game.”

This is the first game to feature such a system as EA Sports continues to work in the modern age.