The triumphant return of EA Sports’ College Football last year after a nearly two-decade hiatus has emboldened Electronic Arts to spread its wings further for the x26 titles. Now, news has landed that not only will we be getting College Football 26 but College Basketball will be making a return to our screens, some 16 years after we last saw the title.
In that time, 2K Games has been allowed to hoover up the basketball licences and have a free run at any fans of the sport that may have a console in the corner of the room. Now, with the return of College Basketball, Electronic Arts has a competing proposition that does not require the NBA license to be successful. Clever, clever.
The return of College Basketball to the stable completes EA Sports’ set of American sports once more, with College Football/Madden and NHL all sitting as stablemates. Other than the cartoon-like Super Mega Baseball, the company has never really dipped its toes into the diamond, but the return of basketball will shake things up in the world of sports games for sure.
Bring the Madness. Let’s run it back. #CBB #ItsInTheGame pic.twitter.com/iBNhGxn2yj
— EA SPORTS (@EASPORTS) June 30, 2025
Why college hoops matters Again for EA
A single post on the EA Sports X account shared the news, stating, “Bring the Madness. Let’s run it back. #CBB #ItsInTheGame”
With 2K seemingly securing the rights to the NBA for the foreseeable future, a college basketball game, or a cartoon-like Super Mega Basketball were the only real ways back into the sport for EA – although we would definitely kill for another version of NBA Street, even if it didn’t have the NBA licence.
With the general consensus that the Madden franchise needs some revigorating, it is interesting that EA Sports has decided that going all in on college athletes provides a new niche to attach itself to. No news on release dates and times yet, but we will bring those to you when more becomes clear.
Last Updated On: Jul 3, 2025 5:35 am CEST