EA Sports College Football is back, and it looks like they have learned a few things about creating buzz. College Football 26 officially drops on July 10, and the hype is real. It is built exclusively for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
This time, they have brought in over 2,700 new plays and 300 real coaches. From Dynasty mode upgrades to iconic entrances and legit high school gameplay in Road to Glory, the trailer gave fans a preview of what could be the biggest leap in the series yet.
The trailer has already given CFB fans a lot of exciting moments. But these 15 trailer moments blew up online, with fans replaying them again and again.

15 College Football 26 Trailer Moments Fans Can’t Stop Replaying
Drones Light Up the Sky and High School Games Return
What’s better than a pregame drone light show? EA brought the stadiums to life with choreographed drones lighting up the sky. The crowd roar also came from the return of high school games in Road to Glory. Fans begged for it last year. Now it’s back.
DRONES IN CFB26 🔥 pic.twitter.com/FVOKL6DJsR
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) May 29, 2025
Like the predcessing series, players will now be able to begin their football journey in high school and go through the recruitment process.
Arch Manning, Steve Sarkisian Lead Texas in Cinematic Glory
The trailer also sees two of Texas’s fan favorites. The trailer opens with Coach Steve Sarkisian leading the Longhorns out of the tunnel, flanked by Arch Manning, Ryan Wingo, and the crew. It is absolute cinema, and evidently, Texas in the center stage means the fandom is happy.
Arch Manning and Steve Sarkisian in the CFB26 trailer 🤘 pic.twitter.com/2JzZ6r2DtY
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) May 29, 2025
Rice Owls Shock Everyone With a Surprise Shoutout
This was a surprising moment considering that the Rice Owls are not a traditional powerhouse school, but they had a cameo. The trailer confirmed that the Owls can be managed in Dynasty mode. With new tools like console cross-play in online dynasties and dynamic substitutions, building a Cinderella story with Rice is tempting.
Rice featured in the CFB26 trailer 🦉 pic.twitter.com/Epup1rkhPe
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) May 29, 2025
Oklahoma’s “Sooner Schooner” Rides Again
The historic Sooner Schooner got its moment once again. And no doubt, the fans were all for it. Just like real game days in Norman, the iconic wagon takes a victory lap after scores. It’s the kind of old-school pageantry that defines college football, and EA nailed the details.
The greatest tradition in college football 🔥@EASPORTSCollege | #CFB26 https://t.co/78bFZMYI1n pic.twitter.com/Vl7AXK9vAw
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) May 29, 2025
Texas Tech’s Masked Rider Steals the Show
It was not just Sooners tradition that were feature — several other schools’ traditions were present in the trailer, including Texas Tech’s iconic Masked Rider.
Texas Tech’s Masked Rider featured in the CFB26 trailer 🌵 pic.twitter.com/5Ayc0tXlGk
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) May 29, 2025
The Masked Rider, draped in black and charging the field, had fans in awe. The entrance is dramatic and drenched in Red Raider pride. It’s one of the most unique mascots in college football, and the trailer perfectly conveyed this.
Jeremiah Smith’s Unreal Touchdown Grab
Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith made Buckeyes fandom happy with his poster-worthy touchdown over Penn State.
Video game JJ is unfair 🎮
@EASPORTSCollege | #CFB26 pic.twitter.com/Y8FLl0HeFk— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) May 29, 2025
With 1,315 yards and 15 TDs last season, he’s more than deserving of the EA shoutout. Ohio called the moment “unfair.” But the fans seemed to disagree.
Michigan State’s Tunnel Drama Gets a Spotlight
Even the infamous Michigan State tunnel made the trailer. The Michigan-Michigan State rivalry’s tension-filled tunnel scenes are immortalised here. They even captured the intense walkouts. It is simply one of those moments that gives football its edge, and it seems like EA knows that, too.
Michigan State Football and their award winning tunnel heavily featured in the CFB26 trailer pic.twitter.com/QWgJBg6chU
— MSU Chief of Propaganda (@OdellBretthamJr) May 29, 2025
Marcus Freeman Stands Tall for Notre Dame
The man who cannot seem to get off headlines, aka head coach Marcus Freeman, shows up twice in the trailer. First, in Notre Dame Stadium, and again mid-field, shaking hands. It’s a nod to both Freeman’s leadership and Notre Dame’s legacy. And maybe the 2025 roster he’s built? Anyways, Irish fans love seeing their coach front and center.
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman in the CFB26 trailer ☘️ pic.twitter.com/zhp7xPIz7D
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) May 29, 2025
This addition also emphasizes that this year’s edition will feature real coaches with real names and likenesses, unlike last year, which featured generic team leaders.
Bryant-Denny Stadium’s New Light Show is Unreal
It was not so long ago that Alabama changed the game with an electric night game lightshow. And the trailer gave fans a glimpse of Bryant-Denny’s new LED system synced to music. Add to that the fireworks, crowd roars, and that crimson atmosphere, and that’s pure SEC chills.
Night game lighting at Bryant-Denny Stadium in the CFB26 trailer 🔥🏟️ pic.twitter.com/t3iYxO3ZTQ
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) May 29, 2025
Kenan Stadium’s Charm Gets Its Special Moment
Chapel Hill’s Kenan Stadium made a quiet but classy appearance. The stadium is simply iconic. It holds 55,500 fans, and the Tar Heel blue never looked so crisp. North Carolina fans were all for it after a long offseason filled with Bill Belichick drama.
First look at Kenan Stadium in CFB 26! @EASPORTSCollege pic.twitter.com/YUFWRxA3QF
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) May 29, 2025
DJ Lagway Shares Spotlight With Gators Legend Tim Tebow
This was a moment when generations collided. DJ Lagway, the rising Florida star, appears alongside Tim Tebow on the deluxe edition’s cover. The trailer shows Lagway ready to take over Gainesville.
First look at DJ Lagway in EA CFB 26 👀 pic.twitter.com/FVK87MoQ8x
— Florida Gators 🐊🔥 (@gatorsszn) May 29, 2025
Also included on the cover of the deluxe edition was legendary USC RB Reggie Bush, potentially alluding to historic players or teams in the game. Last year, famous team alumni were featured on Ultimate Team, but including alumni in other modes would be applauded.
Ohio State’s Rollercoaster Defensive Sequence
The trailer is filled with exciting gameplay. First, Kenyatta Jackson Jr. just misses a sack on Michigan’s Bryce Underwood. But then, Caleb Downs flies in, deflecting a pass in the end zone. It’s the kind of football chaos that the Buckeyes always bring. And the fandom was just as loud about it online.
THE World Famous Ohio State Buckeyes 🌰🎮
@EASPORTSCollege | #CFB26 https://t.co/Os6JaBJCd7 pic.twitter.com/ffxxAQ74iX— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) May 29, 2025
300 Real Coaches, It’s Happening
As mentioned above, the trailer confirmed that over 300 real-life coaches are in the game. From Dan Lanning to Kirby Smart and James Franklin, fans will now recruit and battle with actual coaching legends. Now, that seems like some authentic gaming.
Over 300 real coaches will be in CFB26 🔥
“Suit up for Dan Lanning. Compete against Kirby Smart. Recruit as or against James Franklin. Go toe-to-toe with current coaches who bring distinctive playstyles to the field. Strategize like they would with their unique playbooks for a… pic.twitter.com/q4FCEhi0iJ
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) May 29, 2025
Neyland Stadium’s Entrance Upgrade
The “Neyland Effect” is undeniable. EA recreated Tennessee’s night entrance with fireworks, fog, and glowing lights reflecting their latest design. Jeremiah Telander, Jermod McCoy, and Arion Carter also burst through the smoke.
Neyland nights and Telander tackles 👌@EASPORTSCollege | #CFB26 https://t.co/OQimrW73E3 pic.twitter.com/dFCZA7X1rC
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) May 29, 2025
As expected, this looks like pregame footage, and pageantry might have been updated, allowing for a more memorable experience.
Jeremiyah Love Breaks a Tackle Like a Beast
Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love seems to have made his mark. The Irish back lowers his shoulder and trucks a defender mid-play. It’s the kind of bone-jarring hit you replay 10 times. It is absolutely powerful and equally personal.
Yeah I think #CFB26 is looking pretty realistic @JeremiyahLove 🫶🫶 pic.twitter.com/pIwB2efmQu
— Rational ND Fan (@rationalNDfan) May 29, 2025
It has been rumored that gameplay mechanics have been improved. If this clip of the ND rusher is any indication, fans might be seeing better controls and gameplay.
As the release date for EA Sports College Football 26 creeps closer and closer, fans’ excitement for the game is reaching a boiling point.
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