Do not worry, college football fans! EA Sports newest edition of their popular college football game is set to release on July 10, or July 7 if you buy the deluxe edition.
After over a decade with no college football games, EA Sports released College Football 25 in July 2024, and it became a worldwide phenomenon in a short period of time. A few hours after its release, College Football 25 had thousands of players.
By August 2024, the game was one of the best-selling games of the year.
In early June, it was announced that College Football 26 is adding a few new wrinkles to the game, including paying schools when players use their team. A tiered system determines the amount of money programs receive.
For College Football 25, the amount paid to Tier One schools was around $100,000, and $10,000 was paid to Tier Four schools.
As we approach the release date of College Football 26, EA Sports released their list of the top 25 toughest places to play in the game.
NEW: EA Sports College Football 26 Top 25 toughest places to play🎮https://t.co/36KX4yDXzv pic.twitter.com/e1EqWCKY9P
— On3 (@On3sports) June 24, 2025
Eight of the 25 teams ranked on EA Sports' list are Big Ten schools, with Iowa finishing second-lowest at No. 19.
Teams know how hard it is to travel to Iowa City and play the Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium, and being ranked No. 19 is far too low.
The Hawkeyes hit their stride in the final few months of the season, but you cannot convince me there are 18 tougher places to play when the temperatures drop and the snowflakes start flying.
The Hawkeyes should be in the top 15, ranked ahead of Tennessee and just below Michigan, with an argument for the top 10.