Will There Be a College Football 26? Yes – Here's What We Know

By Sarah Miller · March 3, 2029

Yes, College Football 25 is confirmed for release on July 19, 2025, marking the return of the franchise after a 12-year hiatus. College Football 26 is highly likely to follow in summer 2026.

Will There Be a College Football 26?

The answer is almost certainly yes. With the successful revival of College Football 25 by EA Sports in July 2025, a sequel—College Football 26—is expected as part of an annual release cycle, continuing the legacy of one of gaming’s most beloved sports franchises.

Why College Football 26 Is Expected

EA Sports has established a pattern with its major sports titles: annual updates ensure freshness, roster changes, and gameplay improvements. Given the massive anticipation and commercial success projected for College Football 25, a follow-up title is not just logical—it's inevitable.

Annual Franchise Model: EA Sports releases updated versions of Madden NFL, FIFA (now FC), and NHL every year.
Player Demand: Over a decade without a new installment created pent-up demand.
Licensing Momentum: EA has secured NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) rights and partnerships with over 130 schools.
Technical Foundation: The Frostbite engine and online infrastructure will support yearly iterations.

Key Factors Driving Annual Releases

The college football video game market is primed for consistent content. Real-world seasonality aligns perfectly with annual game launches each summer before the real NCAA season begins.

Game Title	Release Date	Platforms	Publisher	Estimated First-Week Sales
Madden NFL 24	August 11, 2023	PS5, Xbox Series X/S	EA Sports	1.2 million
FIFA 23	September 30, 2022	PS4, PS5, Xbox, PC	EA Sports	1.6 million
College Football 25 (Projected)	July 19, 2025	PS5, Xbox Series X/S	EA Sports	2.0+ million
NHL 24	October 6, 2023	PS5, Xbox Series X/S	EA Sports	480,000

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The projected first-week sales for College Football 25 exceed those of recent EA Sports titles, reflecting unprecedented fan interest. This level of engagement strongly supports the launch of College Football 26 in summer 2026.

Historical performance of EA’s sports lineup shows that high-demand franchises receive annual updates. With stronger licensing and modern gameplay features, College Football is positioned to outperform even Madden in long-term player retention.

New Features Expected in College Football 26

While official details won’t emerge until 2026, industry experts anticipate significant upgrades based on community feedback and EA’s development roadmap.

Potential Gameplay and Mode Enhancements

Enhanced Dynasty Mode: Deeper recruiting AI, assistant coach roles, and conference realignment simulation.
Campus Legend Improvements: More customization options and branching storylines based on player decisions.
Online Team Play: Full co-op control of a single team with friends.
Real-Time Roster Updates: Integration with injury reports and transfer portal movements.
Women’s Flag Football Support: Expansion into new collegiate sports formats post-NCAA recognition.

Licensing and School Participation

A major reason for optimism around College Football 26 is the growing number of university partnerships. EA Sports has been actively securing rights through individual agreements and group licensing deals.

As of June 2025, over 130 schools have signed on, including powerhouses like Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, and USC. This momentum suggests continued expansion for the 2026 edition.

About College Football 26: Frequently Asked Questions

Is College Football 26 officially announced?

No, College Football 26 has not been officially announced yet. However, given EA Sports’ annual release model and the confirmed launch of College Football 25 in July 2025, a sequel in summer 2026 is highly anticipated.

When will College Football 26 be released?

If following the established pattern, College Football 26 is expected to launch in July 2026, likely between July 15–25, ahead of the 2026 NCAA football season.

Will College Football 26 be on PS4 or Xbox One?

No, College Football 25 and its successors are exclusive to current-generation consoles: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Older platforms are not supported due to technical requirements.

Can I carry over my save data from College Football 25 to 26?

Save transfers between annual editions are unlikely. EA typically resets progress with each new release, though some cosmetic items may carry forward via loyalty rewards.

Will there be a demo for College Football 26?

Yes, a public demo is expected in June or early July 2026, similar to the rollout for College Football 25. It will likely feature limited teams and modes to showcase key updates.