EA Sports has officially announced that College Football 26 will launch on July 10, 2025, marking the latest chapter in its revived college football video game franchise. This announcement follows the massive success of College Football 25, which hit shelves in 2024 and marked the return of the beloved series after an 11-year hiatus. The previous edition broke records, becoming the best-selling sports video game ever in terms of dollar sales.
The long pause in the franchise’s production stemmed from legal disputes over the unauthorized use of college athletes’ names, images, and likenesses (NIL). These disputes halted the series after the 2013 release of NCAA Football 14. However, with recent changes in NIL rules, EA Sports was able to secure player participation by offering financial compensation. For College Football 25, players who opted in were paid $600 and received a copy of the game, reestablishing EA’s presence in the college football gaming space.
Players to Receive Higher NIL Compensation in College Football 26
With the overwhelming success of last year’s game, EA Sports is ramping up its investment in player partnerships for College Football 26. According to a report by Chris Vannini of The Athletic, athletes featured in the upcoming edition will receive more than double the previous NIL compensation. Players who agree to be included in the game will now receive $1,500 along with a Deluxe Edition copy of the game.
This increase reflects EA’s commitment to fairly compensating college athletes as part of its renewed engagement with the collegiate sports landscape. As with the previous installment, selected players will also take on brand ambassador roles to promote the game, earning additional compensation for their efforts.
Cover Stars and College Football 26 Promotional Campaign
EA’s promotional efforts are already underway, with several prominent players and coaches participating in a recent photoshoot at the Rose Bowl for College Football 26. According to Pete Nakos of On3, notable athletes including Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood, Florida’s DJ Lagway, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love were present. Others featured include Alabama’s Ryan Williams, Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs, Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt, and South Carolina’s Dylan Stewart.
In addition to the student-athletes, high-profile coaches such as Ryan Day (Ohio State), Kirby Smart (Georgia), James Franklin (Penn State), Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss), Dan Lanning (Oregon), and Kenny Dillingham (Arizona State) were also involved in the shoot. This follows the previous edition’s cover, which featured Texas QB Quinn Ewers, Michigan RB Donovan Edwards, and Colorado DB Travis Hunter.
With increased player compensation, an expanded promotional campaign, and high fan anticipation, College Football 26 is poised to build on the momentum of its record-breaking predecessor and further cement EA Sports’ reemergence in the college sports gaming world.
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