The success of College Football 25 has definitely laid the foundation for College Football 26, even though there haven't been any announcements made. The series came back hot after being absent for over ten years, with College Football 25 as a huge hit. The game broke sales records and achieved a popularity level that few sports games do. This success has created a lot of excitement for its sequel. Fans had been craving a real college football game, and this one delivered.

The great reception of College Football 25 has set a very high standard for the next game. While the buzz around bringing the franchise back helped boost sales, College Football 26 must offer significant improvements and new features to keep players interested. There’s a lot of pressure to avoid falling into the trap of “the same game, different year,” which has affected many long-standing sports franchises. However, based on the rumors and leaks, more may be coming to the series.

Why College Football 26 Seems Almost Certain

Evidence College Football 26 Is Coming Out

The amazing success and record sales of College Football 25 make it very likely that College Football 26 will come out soon. EA Sports’ return to college football games was a massive hit, likely exceeding even the highest expectations. The game has become the best-selling sports video game in US history, even beating popular franchises like NBA 2K.

Screen Rant touted how CFB25 was better than Madden. The Metacritic is a solid 83, showing how much the game was loved. This shows how much went into the licensed college football game and how much people want more. EA would be foolish to up such a profitable opportunity.

There are also many rumors online about College Football 26. Various YouTubers and gaming news sites have talked about surveys sent to players of CFB25 that hint at features for the next game. These rumors suggest that there will be improvements and new additions, like the return of features fans loved, such as high school gameplay in Road to Glory and a trophy room that many players want.

Other possible features that are rumored include real coaches, new options in recruiting, and formation substitutions. All of these hints suggest that EA is working hard on the next game and is looking for player input to help shape it. Given the financial success and signs of ongoing development, it seems almost certain that College Football 26 will be released.

When Could College Football 26 Release?

When Will College Football 26 Come Out?

It's hard to say exactly when College Football 26 will be released since EA Sports hasn't made any official announcements. However, given that College Football 25 launched in July 2024, it's likely that the next game could come out around the start of the 2025 college football season, with August 2025 being a strong possibility.

This timing would take advantage of the excitement of college football games, helping EA Sports boost sales by roping in more players and college football fans. Releasing the game before the season begins would give players enough time to set up their teams, develop their strategies, and get used to the game mechanics before actual football games start. This would keep the game popular and active throughout the season.

A summer release would also allow time for marketing and pre-order efforts. EA has a history of releasing games annually, and it's reasonable to expect them to continue that trend with this revived franchise. While delays can happen, based on EA's past release schedules and the success of the current game, an August 2025 release seems like a good bet for those looking forward to College Football 26.

Source: Metacritic, EricRayweather/YouTube, GoodGameBro/YouTube