By Michael Beckwith

Copyright metro

Are midnight launch events due for a comeback or are they a relic of a pre-digital era? (GAME)

The popularity of the Nintendo Switch 2 launch has encouraged Argos to hold special in-store events for EA Sports FC 26.

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.

In recent years though, midnight launches have fallen out of fashion. It’s why it was such a surprise to hear a few stores were holding such events for the Nintendo Switch 2 launch. But that was a special exception, as the first new Nintendo console in nearly a decade.

Nevertheless, Argos is keen to remind people why midnight launches were so beloved, as it’s hosting its own events for EA Sports FC 26.

This year’s entry in EA’s long running football franchise is technically already available via an early access period. However, this is exclusive to people who have an EA Play subscription or bought the Ultimate Edition.

The public launch is this week on Friday, September 26 and Argos is ringing in the occasion at midnight, at the following locations:

Omagh – Unit 1, Showground Retail Park, Sedan Ave, Omagh BT79 7AQ

Wishaw – Unit 10, Caledonian Retail Park, New Ashtree St, Wishaw ML2 7UR

Falkirk Retail Park – Unit F, Central Retail Park, Grahams Rd, Falkirk FK1 1LW

Edinburgh Kinnaird Retail Park – Unit 10, Kinnaird Retail Park, Edinburgh EH15 3RD

Glasgow Fort – Glasgow Fort Shopping Park, 190 Provan Walk, Glasgow G34 9DL

Chelmsford Chelmer Village – 8-10, Chelmer Village Retail Park, Chelmer Village Way, Chelmsford CM2 6XE

Southend Airport Business Park – Unit 3, Airport Business Park, Rochford Rd, Southend-on-Sea SS2 6FW

Eastbourne Admiral Retail Park – 29 Lottbridge Drove, Eastbourne BN23 6QD

Brighton Carden Avenue – Carden Ave, Hollingbury, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 8LW

Northampton St. Peters Square – 4-7 St Peter’s Way, Northampton NN1 1PS

Yeovil Babylon Hill – Retail Park, Unit 4 Babylon Hl, Sherborne Rd, Yeovil BA21 5BT

Harlow Retail Park – Unit 2a, Harlow retail park, Edinburgh Way, Harlow CM20 2TN

Old Kent Road – Unit 3 & 4, Southernwood Retail Park, Humphrey St, London SE1 5JJ

Coventry Gallagher – Unit B1, The Gallagher Retail Park, Stoney Stanton Rd, Coventry CV6 5QG

You don’t need to have pre-ordered beforehand either. So long as you’re among the first people to get in, you’re guaranteed to get your hands on a physical copy of the game.

As for what incentivised the decision, it was the success of the Switch 2’s launch in June which, according to Google Trends data shared by Argos, generated a huge spike in online searches for ‘midnight launch’ in May; the highest it’s been since around the time the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S launched in 2020.

‘We know how much our customers look forward to major gaming releases, and we’re thrilled to offer this midnight launch for EA Sports FC 26,’ said Argos’ senior gaming buyer Pete Wray.

‘For 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’re among the first to play.’

Considering how popular EA Sports FC 26 is expected to be, could this revive the midnight launch? No, probably not.

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— ObscureReference (@ObscureisHere) June 5, 2025

We don’t doubt there’ll be a decent turnout for Argos’ 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 recently.

The Google data may show there’s still a vested interest in midnight launches, but it’s more likely that was generated by the Switch 2 itself, rather than the actual concept of a midnight launch.

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’s launch.

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: Black Ops 7, or some of the other big 2025 Christmas games, then midnight launches might be here to stay, again.

Will you be attending the midnight launch or have you already pre-ordered your copy? (EA)

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