The wait is over—NBA 2K26 is set to make waves this fall with an all-star lineup of cover athletes and exciting new features that reflect the future, present, and legacy of basketball. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Angel Reese, and Carmelo Anthony have been officially revealed as the featured athletes for this year’s editions, each representing their own era and influence on the game.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the dynamic Oklahoma City Thunder point guard and reigning 2024-25 KIA Most Valuable Player and NBA Finals MVP, headlines the NBA 2K26 Standard Edition. With a career year that saw him lead OKC to championship glory, SGA now steps into the digital spotlight as a cover icon. His calm demeanor, high IQ, and standout fashion sense make him a perfect representative of the modern game.
Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky forward and 2024 WNBA All-Star, will grace the cover of the WNBA Edition—a GameStop-exclusive physical release available in the United States. From NCAA Champion to All-Rookie Team selection, Reese’s rise has been meteoric. Her debut signature shoe, the Angel Reese 1 with Reebok, will also appear on the cover. Reese aims to inspire a new generation of girls to be confident, bold, and unafraid to take up space.
Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony rounds out the trio as the face of the NBA 2K26 Superstar Edition. As a 10-time NBA All-Star, three-time Olympic gold medalist, and member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, Melo’s influence spans decades. Now, in the same year he enters the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, he becomes immortalized on the cover of 2K.
For the ultimate fan experience, all three stars will share the cover of the special Leave No Doubt Edition, available for a limited time. This edition celebrates confidence, legacy, and greatness on and off the court.
NBA 2K26 officially launches on September 5, with early access beginning August 29 at 9:00 AM PDT for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC players who purchase the Superstar or Leave No Doubt Editions. The game will be available on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch™, and Nintendo Switch 2.
“SGA’s elite IQ and ice-cold composure mixed with his effortless street style, Angel’s on-court bravado and ability to own the moment, and Carmelo’s reputation as one of the most iconic trendsetters and prolific scorers in NBA history leave no doubt they’re superstars on the court and in any room they walk into,” said Zak Armitage, SVP & GM of NBA 2K. “NBA 2K26 is all about proving yourself on the court, and immortalizing greatness. These three are among the boldest, most confident, and stylish personalities in the NBA and WNBA.”
Gilgeous-Alexander reflected on the honor: “Every kid who grows up playing basketball pictures themselves on the cover of NBA 2K – it’s a dream come true moment, especially following an NBA Championship. Being on the cover is iconic but working with 2K and Visual Concepts to set the tone in-game from curating the tunnel fits to the playlist that players will ball to is what makes this truly special.”
Reese added, “Being on the cover of NBA 2K26 and debuting my first-ever signature shoe with Reebok on that cover, the Angel Reese 1, is more than a milestone—it’s a statement. It’s about representation and showing young girls they can be confident, bold, and take up space unapologetically. To be cemented in NBA 2K history is a special honor that reflects not only my journey, but also all the veteran WNBA players who have paved the way before me and the growing impact of the league as a whole.”
Anthony said, “For more than 20 years, 2K fans have been a part of my journey. Being honored on the cover of NBA 2K26 and inducted into the Hall of Fame in the same year is surreal. It’s a celebration of every chapter, every city that embraced me, every team that believed in me, and every person who’s been part of this ride with me.”
NBA 2K26 introduces exciting new gameplay enhancements powered by next-gen ProPLAY technology. Gen 9 players will enjoy improved immersion with new dynamic dribbling, revamped size-ups, and fluid movement. MyCAREER returns with a reimagined storyline, giving fans the chance to guide their MyPLAYER to NBA greatness. The City mode is refreshed for smoother multiplayer action, while MyTEAM introduces new single and multiplayer modes. Franchise mode (MyNBA) will challenge players to manage their team through 30 unique storyline paths to reach the championship.
NBA 2K26 Content Roadmap Revealed
In anticipation of the Early Access and global launch, 2K has also revealed the NBA 2K26 campaign roadmap calendar, giving fans a look at the weekly content drops leading up to release. Each week will spotlight key features and modes:
- Gameplay: Week of July 28
- MyPLAYER & Presentation: Week of August 4
- MyTEAM & The W: Week of August 11
- MyCAREER & MyNBA: Week of August 18
- The City: Week of August 25
Fans can expect updates on new features, enhancements, and innovations across all modes, reaffirming NBA 2K26 as the most immersive and feature-rich installment yet. A sneak peek at upcoming updates is available now on the Courtside Report blog.
NBA 2K26 will be available in four editions:
- Standard Edition ($69.99 on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2; $59.99 on Nintendo Switch)
- WNBA Edition ($69.99, GameStop exclusive physical edition for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S in the US only)
- Superstar Edition ($99.99 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC). Includes 100,000 VC, MyCAREER and MyTEAM content, and one-week early access.
- Leave No Doubt Edition ($149.99 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, available through September 7). Includes all Superstar content plus 35,000 additional VC, Season 1 Pro Pass, Summer Pass (Seasons 7-9), special MyTEAM packs, exclusive MyCAREER puffer jacket, and a 10% discount for NBA 2K25 players who pre-order.
Pre-orders are open now, and more details will be revealed in the coming weeks. Visit the official NBA 2K26 website for a full breakdown of game features and edition availability.
