Apple Arcade Levels Up with NBA 2K26 and Its All-New Eras Mode

By DaMarko Webster

Apple Arcade continues its winning streak of sports exclusives with the October release of NBA 2K26 Arcade Edition, following the momentum of NFL Retro Bowl ’26. With dazzling next-gen visuals across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, this edition of the iconic franchise puts fans right in the center of NBA action—whether building a dynasty or dropping into online matchups with friends.

“Working on NBA 2K26 Arcade Edition has been an absolute blast, and we’re thrilled to unveil our latest feature, NBA Eras,” says Rebecca Chan, General Manager at Visual Concepts. “Starting with the legendary Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson era, players can relive decades of drafts, championships, and create highlight reels with some of the greatest to ever play the game.”

The new NBA Eras mode allows fans to time-travel through basketball history—drafting, trading, and dominating across generations in The Association. Add in updated rosters that reflect every move of the real-life NBA season, and Arcade players can experience the league’s evolution in one immersive package.

Meanwhile, MyCAREER returns with an extra boost of personalization. With newly added player templates, fans can now build their MyPLAYER to mimic legends like Vince Carter or Allen Iverson, or take inspiration from current stars like cover athlete Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. “It’s an honor to pay tribute to the legends who shaped this sport,” Chan adds, “and we can’t wait for players to experience the new Arcade Edition.”

For Apple Arcade subscribers, NBA 2K26 isn’t just another release—it’s a chance to dominate across every era of basketball history, all from the palm of your hand.