On Thursday, EA Sports officially announced that the highly anticipated College Football 26 will be launched on July 10, 2025. This upcoming title marks the next installment in the College Football series, which made an impressive comeback last year with the successful release of College Football 25. The previous edition, College Football 25, was particularly significant as it represented EA Sports’ first return to the college football gaming scene since NCAA Football 14, which debuted in 2013.
The College Football video game series experienced an 11-year hiatus due to legal challenges faced by Electronic Arts (EA). The company was sued by former college football players who claimed that their name, image, and likeness (NIL) were utilized without their consent or fair compensation. However, the recent changes in NIL policies within college athletics have paved the way for EA to revive this beloved series, thrilling fans and players alike.
In an innovative move, EA Sports offered players who opted in to be featured in College Football 25 a compensation package that included $600 and a copy of the game. This strategy proved to be a resounding success, as College Football 25 became the best-selling sports video game of all time based on dollar sales. In a recent update, Chris Vannini from The Athletic reported that EA Sports is significantly increasing its payments for player participation in College Football 26.
According to Vannini, the compensation for players’ name, image, and likeness rights will rise from $600 to an impressive $1,500 for their inclusion in the upcoming game. Additionally, players will receive a Deluxe Edition of the game, continuing the compensation framework established for College Football 25. Some athletes will also be compensated further for their roles as brand ambassadors to promote the game.
In March, On3’s Pete Nakos reported insights into potential brand ambassadors for College Football 26. Sources indicate that prominent athletes such as Michigan QB Bryce Underwood, Florida QB DJ Lagway, LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier, Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love, Alabama WR Ryan Williams, Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt, and South Carolina EDGE Dylan Stewart participated in a photoshoot at the Rose Bowl for the upcoming title.
The excitement surrounding the release of College Football 26 is palpable, especially with EA Sports’ commitment to enhancing player compensation and engagement. As the launch date approaches, fans and players alike are eager to see how this iteration of the College Football series will unfold, promising a thrilling experience in the world of college athletics.
