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Cricket 26 Game Pass Release Date Confirmed for August 13
Cricket 26 Game Pass access begins August 13, 2026, across Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. Microsoft confirmed the addition on August 4 as part of its first Game Pass wave for the month, putting the sport’s biggest current release in front of subscribers on cloud, console, and PC without an extra purchase.
Big Ant Studios developed the game, and French publisher Nacon released it on November 19, 2025, as the ninth entry in Big Ant’s long-running cricket series and the direct sequel to Cricket 24. It also carries the official license for the 2025-26 Ashes series between England and Australia.
Cricket 26 Game Pass Rollout Alongside Two Other Big Names
Microsoft’s August wave also brings the Gears of War: E-Day early access beta and the anthology dating sim Date Everything! into the subscription in the same window. Cricket 26 stands out as the wave’s headline sports title, according to Xbox’s own announcement post.
The Xbox Wire post describes an all-new management career mode, an expanded take on the Ashes rivalry, and a Pro Team roster builder with what Microsoft calls enhanced gameplay mechanics. Subscribers on Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass get access the moment the game goes live on August 13, and Game Pass Premium members are included in that same wave rather than waiting for a later tier drop.
What This Means for Players
A Game Pass debut puts the title in front of a much larger audience than a standalone sports release usually reaches, especially heading into the back half of the international cricket calendar. Players who skipped the November 2025 launch now get a no-cost way to try the management career mode and the Ashes content without committing to a full purchase.
That timing matters. Critics praised the game’s graphics, gameplay mechanics, and improved AI as a real step up from Cricket 24, though reviewers also flagged frequent crashes and graphical bugs that lingered even after early patches. Anyone jumping in fresh through Game Pass should expect a game that plays well on the pitch but has had a rockier run outside of it.
When Cricket 26 Game Pass Access Begins
Access begins on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass on August 13, 2026, alongside Mio: Memories in Orbit and the day-one Game Preview launch of Sandustry. No regional staggering has been mentioned, so the rollout should hit cloud, console, and PC at the same time worldwide.
Cricket 26 Game Pass FAQ
When does Cricket 26 Game Pass access begin?
Cricket 26 Game Pass access begins August 13, 2026, on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. Microsoft announced the date on August 4 as part of its first wave of August additions.
Which Game Pass tiers include Cricket 26?
Cricket 26 is included with Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. Unlike some titles that land on Premium first, it arrives across all three tiers on the same day.
Is Cricket 26 available on cloud gaming?
Yes. It supports cloud play through Game Pass Ultimate in addition to native console and PC installs, so subscribers can stream it on supported devices without downloading the full game.
Who developed Cricket 26?
Big Ant Studios developed the game, and Nacon published it on November 19, 2025. It’s the ninth entry in Big Ant’s cricket series and the official video game of the 2025-26 Ashes series.
Does Cricket 26 have any known issues?
Reviewers noted frequent crashes and graphical bugs at launch that persisted through the first several patches, alongside some non-functional features in newer game modes. The core on-field gameplay and AI were widely praised despite those issues.
