Will Madden 23 Be On Game Pass?

Madden NFL 23 is out today, and depending on the version you ordered, you may have already had access for a few days. Now that August 19 has arrived, however, Xbox Game Pass subscribers might be wondering if they can play for free via the service. Well, not permanently, but a little bonus included in an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription does mean you can at least dip your toes into Madden this year before deciding if you want to buy it.

set to launch in just a few days--and if you preordered a certain edition, it already has. But with the August 19 date approaching and Xbox Game Pass continuing to gain in popularity, players might be wondering if the game is included in the service's library. It isn't, but there is a little bonus you can get if you're subscribed to Game Pass Ultimate.

Madden NFL 23 is a full-price game that won't be included on Xbox Game Pass or Sony's new version of PlayStation Plus, nor any other subscription service for games. However, Game Pass does offer early access to Madden NFL 23 in a roundabout way, assuming you don't play for too long before launch day.

Interestingly, a banner ad featured prominently on Xbox.com earlier this year straight-up said that Madden NFL 23 was "included with Xbox Game Pass." However, a spokesperson for EA later clarified that this was a mistake and that Madden NFL 23 will not be included with Game Pass.

Some people believed that, after Microsoft delayed two of its biggest 2022 games--Starfield and Redfall--it might sign deals with third-party games to bring them to Game Pass to fill the gap, and Madden 23 was seen by some to be a candidate. This was only wishful thinking, however.

Though Madden NFL 23 is not headed to Xbox Game Pass at launch, EA Play members have access to a trial of the game. EA Play is bundled with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on Xbox and PC Game Pass, but not the standard version of Xbox Game Pass.

These EA Play trials are limited to 10 hours of gameplay. They're also available via EA Play on PlayStation.

The 2022 NFL season begins Thursday, September 8 when the Bills take on the Rams to kick off the year.

If history is any indication, Madden NFL 23 is likely to come to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at some point in the future. potentially early next year. Last year's Madden NFL 22 arrived on Game Pass Ultimate via the EA Play Vault after the Super Bowl, on February 17. This timing is surely not random, as interest in the NFL--and NFL video games--often peaks around the time of the Super Bowl and then falls off until the next season.

For lots more on Madden NFL 23, check out GameSpot's breakdown of the ratings and rosters for all 32 NFL teams.