EA Sports announces release date for College Football 26 game – On3.com

🔍 Summary:

EA Sports has announced the release of College Football 26, set to launch on July 10, 2025, with an early release on July 7. This follows the success of College Football 25, which marked the return of EA’s college football series after an 11-year hiatus due to legal issues concerning the use of players’ names, images, and likenesses (NIL) without compensation. The reintroduction of the series was made possible by changes in NIL policies, allowing players to be compensated. For their inclusion in College Football 25, players received $600 and a copy of the game, contributing to its status as the best-selling sports video game based on dollar sales.

For College Football 26, EA Sports has increased the NIL payments to $1,500 per player, and participants will also receive a Deluxe Edition of the game. Some athletes will earn additional compensation as brand ambassadors. The upcoming game will feature enhancements such as the return of the “High School” mode in Road to Glory, inclusion of real-life coaches, three different cover options, a new score bug, and partnerships with brands like Lowe’s and Metallica.

Notable college athletes and coaches participated in a promotional photoshoot for the game at the Rose Bowl, indicating a strong marketing push and involvement from top figures in college football. This move by EA Sports not only revitalizes a beloved video game series but also adapts to the evolving landscape of collegiate sports by fairly compensating athletes for their likeness.

📌 Source: https://www.on3.com/news/ea-sports-announces-college-football-26-will-be-released-july-10-2025/