Konami has announced a new eFootball game titled Kick-Off!, set to release on the Nintendo Switch 2 this summer. The rebranded series has never been natively developed for the Nintendo Switch 2 before, nor have previous entries been ported to the platform, making this the first time Konami's flagship soccer game is coming to a Nintendo console as eFootball.
The news about Kick-Off! Comes as Nintendo confirms the anime-style soccer game Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighters for the original Switch. Both games will be released around the same time, but they take very different approaches to the sport. World Fighters leans into fantasy and over-the-top action, while Konami's Kick-Off! Focuses on a realistic soccer experience.
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EFootball Is Finally Coming to the Switch 2
Revealed during the February Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase, eFootball Kick-Off! Is the latest entry in the franchise built exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. Coming out in summer 2026, Kick-Off! Features several modes, with key highlights including World Tour and International Cup. As expected, Kick-Off! Will also support offline and online competitive play, letting fans of soccer games face off against friends just like in previous eFootball titles.
Some longtime fans have noticed that the trailer for Kick-Off! Shows a version that seems more condensed than the full free-to-play eFootball game on other platforms. With several modes apparently missing, they suggest the upcoming spin-off could be a streamlined experience designed specifically for the Nintendo Switch 2. That said, players will need to wait for more details to see whether Kick-Off! Could be a scaled-down experience.
Fans Want to Know If Kick-Off! Will Be a Free-to-Play Game
Another point that still needs clarification is whether eFootball Kick-Off! Will be a paid or free-to-play game on the Nintendo Switch 2. Fans are likely aware that the eFootball series has followed a free-to-play model since 2021, when it moved on from Pro Evolution Soccer. Now, Switch 2 owners are wondering if Konami will stick with that approach on the new console or charge for this latest entry.
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There has been no official confirmation either way, but some believe launching Kick-Off! As a paid game would be a major misstep. For one, the game does not appear noticeably different from the free-to-play version in terms of visuals or gameplay. On top of that, it would be difficult to justify charging players on a single platform for a product that remains free on nearly every other system.
Some eFootball Kick-Off! Modes Won't Be Available at Launch
One thing Switch 2 soccer fans should be aware of is that the International Cup mode will arrive as DLC rather than being available at launch. Many see this as a sign that the base game could be free-to-play, with Konami encouraging spending through microtransactions instead of charging upfront for the game itself.
For those unfamiliar, the International Cup is the in-game equivalent of the real-world FIFA World Cup. With the next tournament set to jointly take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Konami may be looking to capitalize on the timing by offering a similar mode in Kick-Off!. That said, fans will have to wait for more official details.
Based on the game's trailer, eFootball Kick-Off! Appears to be a digital-only exclusive release on the Nintendo Switch 2.
Possible Release Date for eFootball Kick-Off
It has already been confirmed that the eFootball spin-off will launch in summer 2026 on the Nintendo Switch 2. However, some fans speculate the release could land in June, aligning with when the actual FIFA World Cup competitions kick off. That said, Konami has typically rolled out its annual eFootball updates in August or September in recent years, which also remains a possible window for the release of Kick-Off!.
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