EA Sports College Football 25 was one of 2024’s best-selling games in the United States, but the gameplay had fans asking for more. Now, EA has officially unveiled EA Sports College Football 26, and it comes with new and improved features.
EA Sports Releases CFB 26 Trailer: Adds High School Mode
CFB 26 has more than 2,700 new plays to choose from, while the roster of real college athletes in the game is in the “thousands,” EA said. It is also reported that the student-athletes are being paid at least $1,500 to appear in the game, which is more than double what was paid last year.
The Standard Edition of EA Sports College Football 26 features Alabama’s Ryan Williams and Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith on its cover. They are two of the top-ranked wide receivers in the country.
Fans can look forward to improved Dynasty and Road to Glory modes, while the Road to the College Football Playoff mode has a new online progression format. Previously, the Road to Glory mode started in college. However, the biggest new feature this year is the option for players to start in high school as a recruit and sign with a college based on their high school performance.
Ten new archetypes have been introduced to help players customize their roster to their liking. Their performance in games will impact their class ranking, and they will be able to view their rankings and the scholarships they receive. The introduction of high school games allows for the full experience of a professional career.
As it is in the real world, NIL is also going to feature in CFB 26, and On3’s J.D. PicKell already thinks it has been hinted at in the trailer.
How about EA bringing back high school to the game and FULLY embracing NIL!
HS Player last names in the trailer sending the message “Gross Baggs.” 💰 pic.twitter.com/ioCfXqxLGg
— J.D. PicKell (@jdpickell) May 29, 2025
The high school mode was not the only new feature added to the game, as it now features better AI, improved blocking and coverages, and a new “Dynamic Substitutions” system to help “show your opponent what your program is made of.”
All 136 FBS schools are represented in CFB 26, and more than 300 real-world coaches have lent their likenesses to the game. The broadcast and commentary team from CFB 25 returns for the ’26 version. Chris Fowler, Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Jesse Palmer, David Pollack, and Desmond Howard all reprise their roles from the previous edition.
CFB 26 launches July 10, but people who buy the game’s deluxe edition or the EA Sports MVP Bundle — which includes CFB 26 and Madden NFL 26 — can start playing on July 7.
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