Summary
- EA Sports College Football 26 may feature the return of Mascot Mode, according to a leaked photo shoot.
- The College Football 26 Deluxe Edition cover included players and coaches, building fan anticipation.
Sources confirmed that a photo shoot for EA Sports College Football 26 that had made the rounds on social media was legitimate, and seemingly teased the return of Mascot Mode as one of the game's main features. The photos were taken several weeks after the developers confirmed the next EA Sports College Football entry would be arriving this summer.
After a decade-long hiatus, EA Sports revived its college football simulator with the launch of College Football 25. The game featured the likenesses, images, and names of several NCAA Division I FBS athletes, including cover stars Quinn Ewers, Travis Hunter, and Donovan Edwards. The return of EA Sports' gridiron franchise was well-received by fans old and new. Though College Football 25 lacked some long-standing features, that did not slow down the game's sales. Driven by fan demand, College Football 25 was the second-best-selling title of 2024 across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, only bested by Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
Today is the End of an Era for College Football Fans
Today marks the unfortunate end of an era for fans of college football video games.
With College Football 26 confirmed to be in active development, the cover stars of the new title have been corroborated by social media sources. First reported by Chris Vannini of The Athletic, a picture of EA Sports College Football 26 Deluxe Edition was leaked online following a photo shoot that took place at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California on March 12. The cover featured players like Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith, Penn State RB Nick Singleton, and former Florida QB and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow. Additionally, head coaches were involved in the photo shoot, including Georgia's Kirby Smart, Ohio State's Ryan Day, Penn State's James Franklin, and Ole Miss' Lane Kiffin.
EA Sports College Football 26 Cover Leak May Tease Mascot Mode's Return
Given that the shoot also included some costumed mascots like Georgia's Hairy Dawg and Tennessee's Smokey, the potential return of the fan-favorite Mascot Mode may be among the main selling points of EA Sports' upcoming simulator. Vannini stated that the Deluxe Edition cover was likely not the final version, and added that multiple covers would likely be made ahead of the game's summer launch.
The leaked cover pictures came just a few weeks after EA Sports executive Daryl Holt commented about College Football 26. While Holt could not give away many details, he stated that College Football 26 would face an "uphill battle" following CFB 25's success, and said that fan feedback would be considered.
In the meantime, players who have not tried EA Sports College Football 25 can buy it on the PlayStation Store for $14 until March 26. Knowing what College Football 26 has to follow, it remains to be seen which features will arrive in the next entry.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 84%
- Released
- July 19, 2024
- ESRB
- E For Everyone Due To Alcohol Reference
- Developer(s)
- EA Orlando
- Publisher(s)
- EA
- Engine
- frostbite
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Franchise
- EA Sports College Football
WHERE TO PLAY
In EA SPORTS™ College Football 25 experience explosive gameplay variety across 134 FBS schools and immerse yourself in the iconic atmospheres of college football as you chase college greatness. CampusIQ™ Immerse yourself in authentic, fast-paced, college football gameplay with CampusIQ™. Test your strategic decision-making with an all-new composure system, player Wear & Tear, screen-shaking homefield advantages and dozens of diverse play styles across 134 FBS teams. Iconic Atmospheres From The Big House to The Swamp. From Tuscaloosa to College Station. Experience the decibel-shaking soundscape of college football putting you inside the stadium, alongside all the iconic rituals and traditions that make you feel right at home. Bring Glory Home Set a new standard for college football greatness in classic modes like Dynasty and Road To Glory. Recruit a winning roster, develop a coaching staff, and lead your program to the Championship as a created coach, or balance student-athlete life and take home the Heisman as a player.
- Genre(s)
- Sports
- Platform(s)
- PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
