NHL 26 is looking to improve drastically over last year's iteration, and some of the additions they're making have fans amped.
One aspect of this year's game that they're eager to talk about as they've made significant changes, is Be a Pro.
Here's all that is new/changing.
NHL 26 Be A Pro: All Changes, World Juniors, and More
The release of the annual hockey title is one that players look forward to each year, an EA has made some sizeable changes to Be a Pro this year, as the mode is finally getting some love.
Players are in store for some presentation and more in-tuned elements for this year's Be a Pro, as EA is keen on making the game mode feel more immersive, and similar to how a regular high-talent prospect would experience the NHL.
Here's a snippet of what changes they're making this year per EA's blog post.
NEW PRESENTATION
Be A Pro has always been about the journey. In NHL 26, that journey feels more personal and engaging than ever with a complete presentation overhaul. This year adds a full library of new cutscenes, and in-game cinematics that immerse you in the highs and lows of a pro hockey career.
From your very first moments on the ice to the day you hang up your skates, these moments are built to make each milestone feel like an event. Highlights include:
- World Juniors trophy celebration and flag raising that capture the pride of winning on the international stage, from hoisting the trophy to standing on the blueline as your team’s flag is raised in victory.
- Your NHL Draft moment, bringing all the emotion of finally making it to the league
- Your first time walking into an NHL locker room, seeing your stall for the first time and feeling like you belong
- Tunnel walkouts that bring the goosebump-worthy anticipation of game night to life
- AHL trophy celebration, giving every level of your career its own payoff
- Stanley Cup celebration, followed by a new locker room celebration after the team photo
- Retirement ceremony that gives your final game the send-off it deserves
These sequences help anchor each phase of your career in NHL 26. They create moments you’ll remember, and more importantly, they reflect the pressure and pride that come with life in the NHL.
A standout addition this year is the new media scrum system. These scenes put you in front of reporters where your answers actually shape your path. Deliver a strong performance and the media might give you your flowers. Struggle, and you’ll be grilled with tough questions that reflect how things are going.
The goal here is to give players more than just stats and objectives. Now you’re living the full experience of what it means to be a pro, on the ice, in the locker room, and under the media spotlight.
A REIMAGINED HUB
The Be A Pro hub has been completely reimagined to keep you connected to your career and the league around you. It is your command center for everything that shapes your journey.
- Challenges at a glance. See your active chapter challenges, track your progress, and know exactly what you need to do next. These goals help guide your path and give each stretch of the season purpose.
- Top headlines. Stay plugged into the top stories revolving around your career.
- Form score. A clear, easy-to-read measure of how well you are playing. Your form score reflects your recent performance and can influence your ice time, opportunities, and reputation.
The redesigned hub keeps the focus on your growth as a player while making it easy to follow the bigger picture of your career.
CHAPTER-BASED STRUCTURE
NHL 26 introduces a new chapter-based core structure that completely redefines the pace, flow, and stakes of Be A Pro. Your career is now broken into distinct chapters, each with its own challenges, goals, and consequences that reflect the real ups and downs of professional hockey.
It all begins at the World Juniors, where you create your player, choose your nation, and compete in the semi-final and then potentially play for World Juniors gold. Your performance in this opening chapter sets the tone for everything that follows, directly impacting your draft stock.
From there, you move into a series of story-driven chapters, including:
- NHL Draft, where your fate is revealed and your pro career begins
- Preseason battles, where you fight for a roster spot and can be sent down to the AHL if you do not make the cut
- Rookie season progression, with opportunities for line promotions or if you play poorly, healthy scratches and even a trip to the AHL.
- Midseason challenges, including brand-building decisions, personal development, and on-ice performance tests
- Playoff pushes and Cup chases that demand peak performance in high-pressure situations
Every chapter comes with tailored challenges and branching choices that make your career feel alive. NHL 26 does not give you a static, guaranteed path. You will have to earn every step forward, and how you handle each chapter will define the player you become.
STAKES AND CONSEQUENCES
What separates NHL 26 from past Be A Pro modes is how much your decisions matter. This year, every performance and off-ice action has direct consequences. The game keeps track of how you play, how you handle the media, how you spend your energy, and how you interact with key figures like your coach, GM, and agent.
Your on-ice performance plays a critical part in your story. If you dominate, you will earn more ice time, build stronger chemistry, and see your career fast-tracked to top-line minutes. If you slump, your form score will drop, which can lead to less trust from the coaching staff, time on the bench, or even a trip down to the AHL. You will also have to answer for poor stretches in post-game interviews and one-on-one meetings with staff.
At the heart of our Be A Pro revamp is a new player-managed energy and development model. Every choice you make, whether it is how physical you play, how you train, or how much time you spend recovering, directly impacts your physical health, attribute growth, and long-term progression. Energy management is also tied to your ability to unlock and improve X-Factors. By spending energy in the right areas, you can earn X-Factor points, meet the stat requirements to unlock new abilities, and then use those points to upgrade them over time. This system rewards you for balancing performance, growth, and recovery so your player can reach their full potential.
This system doesn’t just simulate hockey, it simulates the life of being a pro. The pressure, the scrutiny, the management of your time and energy. Every career path is different, and in NHL 26, how it unfolds is entirely up to you.
YOUR STORY, YOUR LEGACY
More than anything, NHL 26 aims to give you a career with character. From your first World Juniors game to getting your name etched on the Stanley Cup, this year’s Be A Pro journey gives you the tools to tell your story your way.
Your personality now develops along two key paths, influential or confident. How you carry yourself in conversations, deal with the media, and lead in the locker room shapes which path you follow. Each path can unlock different dialogue options and opportunities. You will also earn trait points from playing, which can be used to unlock deeper levels in your skill tree. In some cases, you can even challenge your coach directly on lineup decisions or fight to avoid being sent down.
In the lead-up to NHL 26, be sure to check out our wide array of phenomenal gaming headsets and controllers!
