Electronic Arts has announced that the long‑awaited College Football '27 will hit PlayStation and Xbox consoles on July 9, bringing a fresh take on the sport after a decade‑long absence.
Bison Join the Virtual Gridiron
The game’s roster will feature North Dakota State University, the Bison, for the first time, after the school’s recent move to the Mountain West Conference caught the eye of EA’s developers, who reached out in February following the conference announcement.
To achieve authenticity, the university contributed more than 1,200 photos and video clips, ensuring that the team’s uniforms, stadium atmosphere and player movements reflect reality.
The announcement sparked a wave of online buzz, amplified by a popular YouTube influencer who highlighted the news, turning the Bison’s inclusion into a trending topic among college‑football fans.
The return of the EA college‑football franchise follows a 2014 shutdown triggered by lawsuits over the use of athletes’ names, images and likenesses; the series was revived when the NCAA’s name‑image‑likeness rules took effect in 2021.
Under the new model, each player whose likeness appears in the game receives a base payment of $1,500, with the possibility of additional royalties as the title gains traction.
Beyond the modest stipend, NDSU anticipates financial gains from royalty streams tied to the game’s popularity, a prospect that could bolster the athletics budget and fund future initiatives.
The university plans to amplify the launch across social platforms, partnering with regional and national influencers to spread the word about the Bison’s digital debut.