When Is College Basketball 26 Coming Out? (2025 Update)

By Emma Wilson · June 23, 2029

College Basketball 26 has not been officially announced as of October 2025, and there is no confirmed release date. EA Sports has not provided updates on a 2026 installment of the series.

Is College Basketball 26 Coming Out?

As of October 2025, there is no official confirmation from EA Sports or any credible gaming publisher that College Basketball 26 will be released. Despite ongoing speculation in sports gaming communities, no teaser, trailer, or development update has surfaced regarding a new college basketball video game for 2026.

Why Hasn't College Basketball 26 Been Announced?

Licensing challenges: Collegiate sports games face legal hurdles due to player likeness rights and NCAA regulations.
Focus on NBA Live and College Football: EA Sports has prioritized reviving College Football over basketball.
No recent franchise continuity: The last standalone college basketball title was released over a decade ago.

History of College Basketball Video Games

The college basketball video game market has seen limited activity since the early 2010s. Unlike the NBA 2K series, which dominates professional basketball gaming, no developer has consistently produced an annual collegiate counterpart.

Notable Past Titles

NCAA Basketball 10 by EA Sports – Last major release in the series.
Inclusion of college teams in older NBA 2K titles as exhibition modes.
Limited appearances in Madden NFL or NCAA Football spin-offs with basic gameplay.

Game Title	Release Year	Developer	Platform	NCAA Licensed?
NCAA Basketball 10	2009	EA Sports	PS3, Xbox 360	Yes
NBA 2K14 (College Mode)	2013	2K Sports	All Major	Limited
March Madness 2004	2004	Sega Sports	PS2, Xbox	Yes
College Slam	1998	Midway	N64, PS1	No
NCAA March Madness 2001	2000	EA Sports	PS1, PS2	Yes

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows a significant decline in dedicated college basketball game releases after 2010. Licensing and lack of sustained interest may explain the gap. While 2K included college exhibitions, they discontinued the feature after 2014.

Potential for a Future Release

With the success of EA Sports College Football 25 in 2024, industry analysts speculate whether EA might expand into college basketball. However, no internal leaks or job postings suggest active development.

Factors That Could Influence a 2026 Release

Player Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules: New NCAA policies allow student-athletes to profit from their brand, potentially easing licensing.
Demand from fans: Online forums and social media show growing interest in a modern college basketball sim.
Technical integration: Using Frostbite Engine (from Madden and FIFA) could streamline development.

Frequently Asked Questions About College Basketball 26

Will there be a College Basketball 26 game?

As of now, there is no official announcement confirming College Basketball 26. EA Sports has not indicated plans to launch such a title for 2026.

Why isn’t there a college basketball video game?

The absence is largely due to legal complexities around player likenesses and NCAA branding. Until recent NIL rule changes, developers couldn’t use real player names without violating amateurism policies.

Did EA Sports cancel College Basketball 26?

EA has not canceled College Basketball 26 because it was never officially announced. There is no evidence the game entered production.

Can I play college teams in NBA 2K25?

NBA 2K25 does not include an official college basketball mode. Previous editions featured limited retro teams or fan-made mods, but no licensed current-season matchups.

What replaced NCAA Basketball games?

No direct successor exists. Some players simulate college games using custom rosters in NBA 2K or wait for potential future entries from EA Sports following the College Football 25 revival model.