2K has officially unveiled the cover athletes for NBA 2K26, and this year’s lineup is a celebration of basketball greatness across the NBA and WNBA.
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, fresh off his 2024-25 MVP season and NBA Finals MVP honours, graces the NBA 2K26 Standard Edition cover. Meanwhile, Angel Reese, Chicago Sky forward, NCAA Champion, and rising star in the WNBA, takes the spotlight on the exclusive WNBA Edition. Rounding out the trio is the legendary Carmelo Anthony, a 10-time NBA All-Star and Hall of Fame inductee, who will headline the Superstar Edition. For an extra dose of star power, all three athletes share the cover of the limited Leave No Doubt Edition.
Release Date and Early Access
NBA 2K26 launches worldwide on September 5, 2025, and will be available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC (via Steam), Nintendo Switch™, and the next-gen Nintendo Switch 2. Players eager to hit the virtual court early can access the game one week prior on August 30, 2025, by pre-ordering either the Superstar Edition or the Leave No Doubt Edition.
What the Athletes Say
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reflected on the honor of being the cover star, calling it a “dream come true, especially following an NBA Championship.”
For Reese, the milestone represents more than just personal achievement: “It’s about representation and showing young girls they can be confident, bold, and unapologetically take up space.”
Anthony described the experience as “surreal,” celebrating his career and connection with fans over the years.
New Features to Watch For
NBA 2K26 promises exciting updates with its all-new ProPLAY technology, delivering a more immersive experience for players on Gen 9 platforms. Expect revamped dribbling mechanics, smoother player movements, and dynamic gameplay. The popular MyCAREER mode gets a reimagined storyline, while MyTEAM introduces fresh single-player and multiplayer challenges. Franchise enthusiasts can take control of their team in MyNBA with 30 unique storylines to conquer. More details on gameplay improvements and features will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Four Editions to Choose From
The game will offer four editions to suit different player preferences:
- Standard Edition – Priced at AUD$99.95/NZD$129.95, this edition is available on all platforms.
- WNBA Edition – A GameStop exclusive (physical only) for USD$69.99, available in the US for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
- Superstar Edition – At AUD$159.95/NZD$169.95, this edition includes early access, 100,000 VC, MyCAREER boosts, MyTEAM packs, and more.
- Leave No Doubt Edition – For AUD$239.95/NZD$249.95, this limited edition includes everything in the Superstar Edition plus additional VC, exclusive MyTEAM cards, seasonal passes, and bonus MyCAREER gear.
Pre-Order Now
Pre-orders are now live for all editions, with special discounts available for NBA 2K25 players upgrading to the Leave No Doubt Edition.
For a full breakdown of editions and exclusive content, visit the official NBA 2K26 website.
