The latest update, version 1.5, is now available for EA Sports NHL 26. It includes the addition of Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness to the game, along with a variety of improvements and bug fixes for modes like Be A Pro and World of Chel. The update also features updated team uniforms and some handy new features in World of Chel. Here’s a closer look at what’s new.
Blue Jackets’ HC Rick Bowness Joins NHL 26 In Update 1.5 – Full Patch Notes
Update 1.5 is now live in #NHL26
— EA SPORTS NHL (@EASPORTSNHL) February 24, 2026
The main highlight of NHL 26 Update 1.5 is the inclusion of Rick Bowness, the new Head Coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets. You’ll now be able to see him in game modes like Franchise mode and others.
After Dave Evason left, Barry Bowness took over as head coach. When he arrived, the team was just barely at a .500 record (19-19-7). Since coming out of retirement to coach them, the team has dramatically improved, going 10-2 overall. They recently had a seven-game winning streak, which ended last night with a loss to the Boston Bruins.
Right now, no one has more coaching experience than Bowness. He’s coached more games – as both a head coach and assistant – than anyone in the league, and he could be the key to helping Columbus become a real contender this season.
His 2,726 games as an NHL head or assistant coach are the most by anyone in league history.
Take a look at the full Patch Notes below!
Gameplay
- Fixed an issue where the game did not recognize the correct status for ‘Pull Goalie’ feature, sometimes showing Pull Goalie On in Settings and Empty Net Constantly after switching them On and reverting them off.
Be a Pro
- Fixed an issue where the “Win the Presidents’ Trophy – Part 4” Challenge displays the incorrect challenge
- Fixed a rare issue where users do not receive challenges to move up the lineup
- Fixed an issue where goalie responses are available for skaters in a “Win the Division” challenge media conversation
- Fixed an issue where the camera is obstructed from certain angles in the Utah Mammoth home arena
Game Modes
- Fixed an issue where the National Anthems did not play during pre-game intro
- Fixed an issue where the subtitle for NHL Threes displayed incorrectly in the Main Menu
World of Chel
- Added a matchmaking indicator when searching for games in WoC lobbies
- Added the ability for drop-in players to request to join clubs directly from the Dressing Room screen
- Added the ability to see player loadout text in the Post Game Player Summary screen
- Refreshed the Career Stats page to display more relevant and organized stats for users
- Fixed an issue where users receive an error message when equipping an 8-bit NHL Bundle
- Fixed an issue where users receive an error while tabbing on the report content screen
- Fixed an issue where users receive an error popup while trying to send friend requests through EA Layer
Art
Coaches
- Rick Bowness – Columbus Blue Jackets
Uniforms
The following uniforms have been added or updated in NHL 26
NHL
- Boston Bruins – Stadium Series
- Tampa Bay Lightning – Stadium Series
ECHL
- Bloomington Bison – Third
- Canadian Hockey League
OHL
- Windsor Spitfires – Third
This update, NHL 26 Update 1.5, brings all the latest features, including the addition of Blue Jackets Head Coach Rick Bowness.
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2026-02-27 19:39