On August 28, EA Sports College Football 26 launched a free play weekend to coincide with the opening weekend of the 2025-26 NCAA football season. Fans looking to try out College Football 26 at no added cost can enjoy playing as their favorite NCAA Division I teams from August 28 to 31, and the trial includes access to all standard game modes.
The free weekend play period came just weeks after the launch of College Football 26's August Title Update, which introduced some changes for players to consider. Some defensive zone coverage behaviors were made more responsive in the August Title Update, and difficulty tuning adjusted how effective a pass rush would be from CPU-controlled opponents. The August patch for College Football 26 also changed some plays in the Flexbone and Wildcat formations, added mascots from programs like Memphis and Appalachian State, and addressed some gameplay issues with Ultimate Team mode.
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College Football 26 Is Free to Try Out Until August 31
With the 2025-26 NCAA football season approaching its opening weekend, EA Sports gave gamers a chance to try out one of its latest sports simulators. From August 28 to 31, College Football 26 is now free to try out on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles. The free weekend campaign includes access to all standard gameplay modes like Road to Glory, Dynasty, and Ultimate Team, though it is only available as a digital download that requires at least 40GB of available storage. Only the Standard Edition of College Football 26 is eligible for the free weekend trial. While a subscription to PlayStation Plus is needed to play online matches on PS5, it is not needed to download and play the free weekend trial of College Football 26.
However, the Xbox Series X/S version of EA Sports' popular football simulator has a couple of caveats for players to consider. An active Xbox Game Pass membership is required to download the free weekend trial of College Football 26, and online matches require either a Standard or Ultimate level subscription. However, Xbox Game Pass subscribers have two additional free weekend trials for Lost Eidolons and Surviving Mars alongside College Football 26. Xbox Game Pass Core, Standard, and Ultimate members can enjoy all three titles until August 31 at no additional cost.
The free trial of College Football 26 also comes with cross-play enabled, giving newcomers a way to face off online while the trial lasts. Only time will tell how many players will sign up for College Football 26's free weekend.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 84 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
WHERE TO PLAY
In EA SPORTS College Football 26, the playbook is yours. Rise from high school recruit to Heisman legend, or cement your legacy as a coach by leading your program to glory.
GAMEPLAY FEATURES:
TRUE COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAMEPLAY
Rep your colors across 136 FBS schools featuring over 300 authentic coaches, 2,700 new plays, and thousands of college athletes with upgraded abilities.
MORE LIKE SATURDAY
From intense White Out games in Happy Valley to new crimson light shows in Tuscaloosa. With new situation and stadium-specific music, fight songs, and commentary, the electricity of game day comes alive like never before.
OVER 300 REAL-WORLD COACHES
Go toe-to-toe with current coaches who bring distinctive playstyles to the field. Strategize like they would with their unique playbooks for a more authentic coaching experience.
WEAR & TEAR EVERYWHERE
Manage fatigue strategically and save your favorite playmakers for key moments with Dynamic Substitutions that allow you to rotate players in and out on the fly.
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
Rivalry games, the College Football Playoff, and other high-stakes matchups are now more affected by Stadium Pulse and Confidence & Composure.
GAME MODES
Dynasty
Build a powerhouse through recruiting and coaching enhancements, then etch your program into college football history in Dynasty.
Road to Glory
Stack your Trophy Room as you rise from high school recruit to Heisman legend in Road to Glory.
Road to the CFP
Experience a new way to play competitively and represent your favorite team in Road to the College Football Playoffs.
This game includes optional in-game purchases of virtual currency that can be used to acquire virtual in-game items, including a random selection of virtual in-game items.
- Engine
- Frostbite
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer, Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- Yes - PS5 & Xbox Series X|S
- Cross Save
- No
- Franchise
- EA Sports College Football
- Number of Players
- 1-4 players
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- July 10, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- July 10, 2025
- Genre(s)
- Sports
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Local Co-Op Support
- Yes
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 41.45 GB
