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\n\t\tAre midnight launch events due for a comeback or are they a relic of a pre-digital era? (GAME)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tAre midnight launch events due for a comeback or are they a relic of a pre-digital era? (GAME)<\/p>\n
The popularity of the Nintendo<\/a> Switch 2 launch has encouraged Argos<\/a> to hold special in-store events for EA Sports FC 26<\/a>.<\/p>\n The midnight launch used to be a popular staple of the video games industry. Any time a big new game dropped, let alone a new console, hundreds of ardent fans would camp outside their local game shops, to be among the first to snag their copy.<\/p>\n In recent years though, midnight launches have fallen out of fashion. It\u2019s why it was such a surprise to hear a few stores<\/a> were holding such events for the Nintendo Switch 2 launch<\/a>. But that was a special exception, as the first new Nintendo console in nearly a decade.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, Argos is keen to remind people why midnight launches were so beloved, as it\u2019s hosting its own events for EA Sports FC 26<\/a>.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s entry in EA\u2019s long running football franchise is technically already available via an early access period<\/a>. However, this is exclusive to people who have an EA Play subscription or bought the Ultimate Edition.<\/p>\n The public launch is this week on Friday, September 26 and Argos is ringing in the occasion at midnight, at the following locations:<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tExpert, exclusive gaming analysis\t\t\t<\/p>\n Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter<\/strong><\/a> for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t need to have pre-ordered beforehand either. So long as you\u2019re among the first people to get in, you\u2019re guaranteed to get your hands on a physical copy of the game.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n As for what incentivised the decision, it was the success of the Switch 2\u2019s launch in June which, according to Google Trends data<\/a> shared by Argos, generated a huge spike in online searches for \u2018midnight launch\u2019 in May; the highest it\u2019s been since around the time the PlayStation 5 and Xbox<\/a> Series X\/S launched in 2020.<\/p>\n \u2018We know how much our customers look forward to major gaming releases, and we\u2019re thrilled to offer this midnight launch for EA Sports FC 26,\u2019 said Argos\u2019 senior gaming buyer Pete Wray.<\/p>\n \u2018For Argos, with our customer first ethos this midnight launch of EA Sports FC 26 is a fantastic way for us to bring the excitement of launch day directly to super fans of the game and ensure they\u2019re among the first to play.\u2019<\/p>\n Considering how popular EA Sports FC 26 is expected to be, could this revive the midnight launch? No, probably not.<\/p>\n Went to the midnight release of the Switch 2 at my local GameStop. Was 43rd in line but there were probably about 140 people there so it could’ve been way worse.They had a little bit of trivia and a MK8 tourney before the release. Saw people I haven’t seen in a bit. pic.twitter.com\/J7c7bQX6YM<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 ObscureReference (@ObscureisHere) June 5, 2025<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n We don\u2019t doubt there\u2019ll be a decent turnout for Argos\u2019 midnight launch, but most EA Sports FC fans will have already pre-ordered the game digitally. The only ones in attendance will be those who prefer owning physical copies of their games, which we all know has become a more niche market<\/a> recently.<\/p>\n The Google<\/a> data may show there\u2019s still a vested interest in midnight launches, but it\u2019s more likely that was generated by the Switch 2 itself, rather than the actual concept of a midnight launch.<\/p>\n This can be backed up by how there was almost zero interest in midnight launches for anything else between the end of 2020 and the Switch 2\u2019s launch.<\/p>\n But perhaps Argos can make them fashionable again, not for their practically but just as fun social events. If Argos also do them for Call Of Duty<\/a>: Black Ops 7, or some of the other big 2025 Christmas games, then midnight launches might be here to stay, again.<\/p>\n \t\t Email\u00a0gamecentral@metro.co.uk<\/a>, leave a comment below,\u00a0follow us on Twitter<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n To submit Inbox letters and Reader\u2019s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our\u00a0Submit Stuff page here<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more stories like this,\u00a0check our Gaming page<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow\n
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\n\t\tWill you be attending the midnight launch or have you already pre-ordered your copy? (EA)<\/p>\n
\nMORE: EA Sports FC 26 is a huge 20% off thanks to this pre-order deal<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: Crazy EA Sports FC 26 dev pretends Switch 2 is \u2018on parity\u2019 with PS5<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: Sainsbury\u2019s scraps idea of selling Argos to firm dubbed \u2018Chinese Amazon\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n