Looking Forward: What NCAA 26 Signals for the Return of College Basketball Games
Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2025 4:15 am
EA Sports signaling the return of a college basketball video game is tied closely to the success of its revived college football franchise. The company officially announced plans to reintroduce an officially licensed college basketball game, aiming for a release around 2028, nearly two decades after its last installment in 2009. Some fans are already planning to buy CFB 26 Coins to prepare for future college sports cross-promotions.
This move follows the remarkable commercial success of EA Sports College Football 25, which became the best-selling sports video game in the U.S. soon after its 2024 release. The College Licensing Company (CLC), which handles licenses for most collegiate sports programs, recommended EA's proposal for the basketball game after evaluating bids from multiple developers. Early reports suggest that the new title might integrate features that complement existing EA sports titles, encouraging players to invest in NCAA 26 Coins to boost their overall gaming progress.
Key aspects of EA's upcoming college basketball game include:
Featuring all Division I men's and women's teams (around 730 teams that opt in).
Incorporating Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) compensation for players who agree to participate.
A standalone title, rather than an add-on to existing NBA or other basketball games.
An extended development timeline similar to what was seen with the football game, due to the scope of acquiring assets like stadiums, jerseys, trophies, and authentic team representations.
The announcement signals EA's commitment to expanding its college sports gaming portfolio and capturing the enthusiasm ignited by the football game's comeback. This return is highly anticipated by fans who have waited years for an official NCAA basketball game, now promising inclusivity and modern features reflective of college sports' current landscape. NCAA 26's success appears to have paved the way for this renewed focus, indicating a broader strategic push by EA to revive and grow the market for college sports games across multiple disciplines, with college basketball poised to make its long-awaited comeback in 2028.
This move follows the remarkable commercial success of EA Sports College Football 25, which became the best-selling sports video game in the U.S. soon after its 2024 release. The College Licensing Company (CLC), which handles licenses for most collegiate sports programs, recommended EA's proposal for the basketball game after evaluating bids from multiple developers. Early reports suggest that the new title might integrate features that complement existing EA sports titles, encouraging players to invest in NCAA 26 Coins to boost their overall gaming progress.
Key aspects of EA's upcoming college basketball game include:
Featuring all Division I men's and women's teams (around 730 teams that opt in).
Incorporating Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) compensation for players who agree to participate.
A standalone title, rather than an add-on to existing NBA or other basketball games.
An extended development timeline similar to what was seen with the football game, due to the scope of acquiring assets like stadiums, jerseys, trophies, and authentic team representations.
The announcement signals EA's commitment to expanding its college sports gaming portfolio and capturing the enthusiasm ignited by the football game's comeback. This return is highly anticipated by fans who have waited years for an official NCAA basketball game, now promising inclusivity and modern features reflective of college sports' current landscape. NCAA 26's success appears to have paved the way for this renewed focus, indicating a broader strategic push by EA to revive and grow the market for college sports games across multiple disciplines, with college basketball poised to make its long-awaited comeback in 2028.