After a 16-year hiatus, EA Sports is officially bringing back its college basketball video game series. The gaming giant announced the return on June 30, 2025, through their social media platforms.
The revival follows College Football 25’s massive success, which shattered sports game sales records. EA Sports will leverage proven NIL partnerships and cutting-edge technology to recreate the college basketball experience fans have desperately missed since 2009.
As college basketball fans celebrate the revival, let’s take a look at all the details we know so far.
EA Sports Confirms 2028 Launch Through Internal Documents of New College Basketball Video Game
Reporter Matt Brown from Extra Points, who initially broke the news of the return of the college football series, broke the story through social media posts, revealing key details from internal College Licensing Company (CLC) documents.
According to Brown’s reporting, “The working title mentioned in the paperwork I inspected was ‘EA Sports College Basketball’. The NCAA will participate as a licensing partner but will not be in the title of the game.”
FWIW, it also won’t be called NCAA Basketball.
The working title mentioned in the paperwork I inspected was “EA Sports College Basketball”. The NCAA will participate as a licensing partner but will not be in the title of the game. https://t.co/OlW2Xjhk8V
— Matt Brown (@MattBrownEP) June 30, 2025
The social media revelation also disclosed that EA Sports emerged victorious from a competitive bidding process involving multiple gaming companies.
Brown’s follow-up post detailed how “According to a memo obtained by Extra Points, the CLC put out an RFP to bring back the college basketball video games. And they’re recommending the bid produced by EA Sports.”
NEW EXTRA POINTS:
According to a memo obtained by Extra Points, the CLC put out an RFP to bring back the college basketball video games.
And they’re recommending the bid produced by EA Sports.
DETAILS:https://t.co/XsKeH1joTZ
— Matt Brown (@MattBrownEP) June 30, 2025
The game is expected to release in 2028 due to the massive scope difference between basketball and football.
While College Football features 134 FBS teams, college basketball has more than 700 Division I men’s and women’s teams combined, which would require extensive asset creation for arenas, uniforms, mascots, and audio elements throughout development.
Potential Features Set to Transform the Revived College Basketball Game
EA Sports College Basketball will have dual-gender integration from launch, featuring both men’s and women’s Division I programs.
This proposal also calls for the inclusion of WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PROGRAMS. So this would be a stand-alone title with both men’s and women’s college basketball teams and players.
— Matt Brown (@MattBrownEP) June 30, 2025
This approach allows players to manage parallel dynasties or create mixed Ultimate Team rosters, representing mainstream college sports gaming’s first complete gender parity. The game could utilize the same Frostbite engine powering College Football while introducing basketball-specific innovations.
Dynasty mode could be significantly upgraded with deep recruiting mechanics, NIL budget management, coaching staff skill trees, transfer portal integration, and conference realignment options.
The Road to Glory career mode could be adapted from football’s narrative structure, tracking student-athletes from high school prospects through complete college careers.
Player compensation through NIL agreements could be similar to the College Football model. Given smaller roster sizes per team but comparable projected revenues, basketball athletes can expect payouts exceeding the increased $1,500 base rate for College Football 26, plus complimentary game copies.
RELATED: What Was EA Sports’ Last College Basketball Game, and How Did it Perform?
The announcement marks EA Sports’ most ambitious college sports project yet. It builds upon College Football‘s foundation while introducing basketball-specific innovations.
With comprehensive technology integration, extensive licensing agreements, and revolutionary dual-gender gameplay, EA Sports College Basketball promises complete authenticity when arriving in 2028.
