Now, with the final embargo lifted, we can dive into the last part of the presentation: Hockey Ultimate Team Seasons and the new live service updates. HUT has always been one of the most played modes in NHL. But, in recent years I felt it needed more variety and a clearer progression path. NHL 25 even removed features like individual highlights, which left me frustrated. Going into this year, I was hoping EA Sports would shake things up. And, from what I saw, NHL 26 looks like it’s making real strides.
Shaking Up HUT Seasons
Hockey Ultimate Team has always been one of the most played modes in EA Sports NHL. Though, for me, it was also the one that felt the most stuck. NHL 25 often came down to grinding for the highest OVR cards and repeating the same routines. Add in the removal of features like individual highlights, and HUT didn’t hold my attention for long.
With NHL 26, that cycle looks like it is finally being broken. HUT Seasons shifts the focus away from chasing numbers and toward building smarter, more flexible lineups. Instead of just stacking OVR, you now work with rotating captain themes and line-combination “recipes” that can unlock bonuses like extra ability points or bigger salary caps. It makes team building feel more like a strategy than a straight numbers game. This is exactly the shake-up I hoped for.
Competitive play has also been addressed. Ranked matches and ladder progression have been reworked to cut down on grind and frustration, making the climb more manageable and rewarding. And for those who prefer playing offline, the new HUT Cup Chase offers an 18-game mini-season capped with playoffs. If you make the finals, exclusive rewards are on the line. It is a strong option for anyone who wants the full HUT experience without the stress of constant online matchmaking.
Quality-of-Life Fixes and a Better On-Ramp
Menus have also been improved, taking cues from NHL 25’s streamlined edit line screen and Wildcard mode. Swapping lines and adjusting strategies feels smoother, which should cut down on the clunky navigation that slowed things down in past years.
For newcomers, this feels like the best on-ramp the series has offered yet. The combination of structured offline play, more variety in team building, and a less grind-heavy ranked ladder gives HUT Seasons a broader appeal. It is clear EA Sports wants to make HUT feel new again, and from what I saw, this new direction could do exactly that.
How NHL 26 is Rethinking Live Service
The live service side of NHL 26 is also getting an overhaul. And, for me, it feels like the biggest quality-of-life update yet. In NHL 25, I often felt weighed down by the grind-heavy Battle Pass and clunky menus. This made HUT progress more of a chore than a thrill. NHL 26 seems to have taken those complaints to heart.
Instead of the old Battle Pass, the new Seasons Pass tops out at 45 levels, making the climb shorter and more manageable. Rewards now focus on vanity items, banners, and celebrations, and the structure looks designed to avoid the endless busywork that crept in last year. The best part is that the Seasons Pass is free for everyone, so you can chase rewards without worrying about another paid grind on top of the mode.
Another major addition is Heroes and Icons cards. Heroes highlight players who defined their cities with memorable performances, while Icons celebrate the sport’s all-time legends. NHL 25 lacked anything like this, and their inclusion in NHL 26 helps tie HUT more closely to hockey’s history. Pulling a card now feels like unlocking a piece of the game’s past rather than just chasing another OVR bump.
Objectives have also been rebuilt into four groups: weekly, seasonal, playoff-related, and event-based challenges linked to the real NHL calendar. Any position, forwards, defensemen, or even goalies can contribute to progress. This makes the grind feel fairer and keeps momentum steady no matter how you play.
All of these updates point to the same goal. Making live service less of a grind and more of a steady progression path. With a shorter Seasons Pass, meaningful new card types, and flexible objectives, NHL 26 is rethinking live service in a way that feels approachable for both veterans and newcomers.
The Road to EA Sports NHL 26’s September 12, 2025 Launch
With the Gameplay Innovation, Be A Pro, and HUT Seasons + Live Service reveals now complete, we have a clear picture of what EA Sports NHL 26 is bringing to the ice. From smarter gameplay powered by ICE-Q 2.0 and NHL EDGE data, to the cinematic overhaul of Be A Pro, and now the shake-up to HUT Seasons and live service, this year feels like the most ambitious update the series has seen in a long time.
As someone who walked away from NHL 25 feeling let down by recycled intros and grind-heavy systems, NHL 26 looks like the reset I wanted. Each mode has been given attention, and for the first time in years, it feels like EA Sports has listened to long-standing feedback. The result is a game that seems better built for both longtime fans and those just stepping in.
Of course, there’s still the big test: how it all plays out once the full game is in our hands. That’s where our next step comes in. Stay tuned! We’ll have a full review of EA Sports NHL 26 in the days leading up to launch. If you’ve been following along with our coverage, you won’t want to miss it.
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