EA Sports to Revive College Basketball Game
After the remarkable success of the college football video game’s revival, EA Sports is set to reintroduce its college basketball game, marking nearly two decades since its last release.
The announcement came via a teaser on social media this Monday. The last college basketball game from EA Sports debuted in 2009.
Bring the Madness. Let’s run it back. #CBB #ItsInTheGame pic.twitter.com/iBNhGxn2yj
— EA SPORTS (@EASPORTS) June 30, 2025
Return Timeline and Game Features
This news aligns with a recent report from Extra Points about the game’s expected comeback, based on documents that indicated the Collegiate Licensing Company had endorsed EA Sports’ bid over other developers. The target launch date is set for 2028, featuring both men’s and women’s teams, according to Matt Brown from Extra Points.
The CLC, which manages branding licenses for most schools, had issued a Request For Proposal to game developers in November 2024, following the success of College Football 25. EA Sports was the sole developer to confirm participation from all Division I teams that chose to opt-in, encompassing 730 teams and including NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) compensation for players in a stand-alone game. Schools must confirm their participation by July 18.
Game Development Insights
The proposal outlines a six-year plan consisting of at least three games starting in 2028, with a potential for six games. If no new game is released in a particular year, updates to teams and rosters will be provided through downloadable patches. Similar to the college football titles, participating schools will receive increased royalties based on gameplay frequency.
The history of EA’s college football and basketball games is intertwined. The football game ceased production in 2013 due to litigation concerning the use of athletes’ likenesses, stemming from a lawsuit by former UCLA player Ed O’Bannon related to NCAA Basketball ’09. Although EA was prepared to compensate athletes, the NCAA would not permit it.
The Rise of College Sports Gaming
Before the football game’s cancellation, both EA Sports and 2K Sports had stopped producing college basketball games in 2008 and 2009 due to declining sales and interest. Historically, college football games sold three times better than basketball titles, with college basketball’s highest sales at 370,000 units against football’s million sold on average.
However, with the release of College Football 25, which set a record as the highest-grossing sports video game, there is now a renewed interest in college sports games, prompting EA Sports’ return to the basketball arena.
EA Sports explained that a lengthy development period is necessary for gathering assets and creating stadiums, jerseys, and trophies, leading to the delays in releases. College Football 26 is scheduled for launch on July 7. When questioned about the potential for a college basketball revival earlier this year, Senior VP Daryl Holt acknowledged the football game’s success but did not confirm any plans.
Following the announcement of the new EA Sports game, 2K Sports also hinted at their interest in college basketball gaming through a playful tweet, suggesting the return of college sports games is on the horizon.
According to the EA Sports proposal obtained by The Athletic, EA will hold exclusive rights to action simulation in this genre.
