EA Sports has announced the return of its College Football franchise for another year, following the massive commercial success of College Football 25. The news was shared on Twitter Thursday afternoon, marking another milestone for the game after its highly anticipated relaunch.
We said this place would be full again – thanks to our players, athletes, and fans for filling the house with us.
Let’s keep that kick off energy going ‘til College Football 26 drops this summer 😉 pic.twitter.com/6lbfS1zAsd
— EASPORTSCollege (@EASPORTSCollege) January 16, 2025
After a decade-long hiatus due to issues surrounding player and program licensing, the franchise made a triumphant return thanks in part to NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) reform, which cleared the path for its revival.
The success of College Football 25 has been undeniable. Within just two weeks of its release, the game raked in $500 million in sales. By December, Circana’s video game sales data revealed that the game had become the best-selling sports game ever in the U.S. market. Fans flocked to the game to relive the thrill of playing as their favorite school in various modes, and now EA Sports is ready to build on that success with another year of college football data to enhance future updates.
A Brief History of the Franchise
The original EA College Football franchise ran from 1998 until 2013, initially under the Bill Walsh College Football title before transitioning to NCAA Football. The series was discontinued after a series of lawsuits, most notably the legal challenge led by former UCLA basketball player Ed O’Bannon. The plaintiffs argued that the NCAA violated U.S. antitrust laws by preventing athletes from profiting from the use of their NIL in video games and broadcasts.
Now, more than a decade after the franchise’s pause, the game is back and thriving.
“We delivered a strong start to FY25, exceeding our net bookings guidance,” EA Sports CEO Andrew Wilson stated in an earnings report. “Our focus on delivering bigger, bolder, and more connected experiences for our players is sharper than ever, as shown by the record-breaking launch of EA SPORTS College Football 25.”
One of the game’s major draws is the inclusion of real college football players, who are now compensated for their participation. Over 14,000 athletes opted into the game, surpassing EA’s roster goal of 85 players per team. Developers have also made it possible to update rosters throughout the season.
Each athlete featured in the game receives $600 and a copy of the game, typically valued at $70. This compensation reflects the changing landscape of collegiate athletics, where players now share in the revenues generated from their NIL.
