Quick answer: the EA SPORTS Madden NFL 27 Game Trial on Nintendo Switch 2 is available to Nintendo Switch Online members from September 9 at 2:00 p.m. through September 16, 2026 at 3:59 a.m. Brasília time (BRT). The trial unlocks the full game at no additional cost during that window. If you buy the game during or after the offer, Nintendo says you can carry over your save data and continue from your progress. The 25% discount on the digital Deluxe Edition ends later: September 17 at 3:59 a.m. BRT.
The trial and the discount do not end at the same time
The main thing to avoid is treating both offers as if they shared one deadline. The free-access window ends almost a full day before the Deluxe Edition promotion.
| Item | What applies | Deadline or condition |
|---|---|---|
| Game Trial | The full Madden NFL 27 game on Nintendo Switch 2 at no additional cost during the trial | From September 9 at 2:00 p.m. to September 16 at 3:59 a.m., Brasília time |
| Discount | 25% off the digital EA SPORTS Madden NFL 27 Deluxe Edition | Until September 17 at 3:59 a.m., Brasília time |
| Save data | Save data can be carried over to the purchased game | Applies if you buy during or after the Game Trial |
| Membership | A Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to join the Game Trial | The membership is sold separately; the announcement does not require the Expansion Pack tier |
How long can you play Madden NFL 27 for free on Switch 2?
Game Trial access ends on September 16, 2026 at 3:59 a.m. Brasília time. Until then, eligible Nintendo Switch Online members can download and try the full game on Nintendo Switch 2 at no additional cost through the trial.
After that time, the promotional access period ends. That does not mean your save file is deleted: what expires is the temporary Game Trial license. To keep playing, you will need access to the game through a valid purchase.
Does your progress stay saved after the trial ends?
Yes. On the official Nintendo promotion page, Nintendo says that if you decide to buy Madden NFL 27 during or after the offer, you can carry over your save data. In practical terms, the Game Trial can work as a real trial period without forcing you to restart if you purchase the title.
It is important to separate save data from access to the game. Your progress can remain stored, but the Game Trial does not grant a permanent license. Once the trial expires, you must buy the game to regain access to the full version.
Which edition is 25% off?
The Nintendo promotion specifically applies to the digital version of EA SPORTS Madden NFL 27 Deluxe Edition on Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Store. The discount is 25% and runs until September 17, 2026 at 3:59 a.m. Brasília time.
That leaves an extra window after the Game Trial ends: the trial closes on September 16 at 3:59 a.m., while the Deluxe offer ends on September 17 at 3:59 a.m. So players who finish testing near the deadline still have about 24 hours to decide whether to use this specific discount. The Deluxe Edition page on Nintendo Store identifies the digital edition and its contents.
Do you need Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack?
The stated requirement is a Nintendo Switch Online membership and a Nintendo Account. The Game Trial announcement does not say that Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is required. Nintendo's Nintendo Switch Online page lists Game Trials as a membership benefit.
There is another useful distinction: the membership is required to access this Game Trial and is also needed for compatible online features. It does not turn the game into a permanent purchase, and it is not what determines whether your save can be retained after the trial.
How to use the trial without mixing up the deadlines
- Download and play before September 16 at 3:59 a.m. That is the cutoff for free Game Trial access in Brasília time.
- Save your progress normally. Nintendo confirms that save data can carry over if you purchase the game.
- Make the purchase decision separately. The announced 25% discount is for the digital Deluxe Edition and continues until September 17 at 3:59 a.m.
- Do not expect the trial to last until the discount ends. There are roughly 24 hours between the end of the Game Trial and the end of the Deluxe promotion.
Is there a bonus for trying the Game Trial?
Yes. Nintendo also announced a Nintendo Switch Online member mission that awards 100 My Nintendo Platinum Points for trying the Game Trial. A Nintendo Account is required to receive and redeem points, and the program terms apply.
Bottom line: the two deadlines to remember
If your priority is playing Madden NFL 27 at no additional cost, treat September 16 at 3:59 a.m. BRT as the key deadline. If your priority is deciding whether to buy the Deluxe Edition with the announced discount, the cutoff is September 17 at 3:59 a.m. BRT. Your trial progress can carry over to the purchased game, so the two deadlines should be treated separately: Game Trial access ends first; the discount ends later.
