EA Sports Revives College Basketball Franchise After 16-Year Hiatus

After more than a decade on the sidelines, EA Sports is bringing college basketball back into the spotlight. The publisher confirmed that a new college basketball video game is in development—the first since 2009’s NCAA Basketball 10—after five companies expressed interest and three officially submitted development bids, according to a College Licensing Company memo. If you’ve been waiting for a chance to relive the excitement of March Madness on your console, this announcement might be exactly the news you were hoping for.

Sixteen Years Since the Last Tip-Off

The last time EA Sports released a college basketball game, smartphones were new and streaming wasn’t a household habit. That game—NCAA Basketball 10—was the final chapter before the series quietly disappeared. Since then, licensing challenges and ongoing debates around player likeness rights kept college sports off the digital court.

Now, with new legal frameworks and rising demand for nostalgic sports experiences, EA has decided to take another shot. The announcement comes at a time when college athletics are gaining renewed attention, both on screen and in the stands.

Rather than leading with gameplay footage or deep details, EA opted for a teaser that simply confirmed development. It was a short message, but if you’ve followed EA’s rollout strategy for its other college titles, the approach will feel familiar. The goal is to build curiosity first, then feed it slowly over time.

That kind of rollout gives fans space to speculate and get excited. If you're someone who grew up playing these games, it’s hard not to feel a jolt of anticipation. Even without a trailer or screenshots, the idea alone is enough to spark conversations across forums and social media.

Behind-the-Scenes Movement With Licensing

The groundwork for this return didn’t happen overnight. The Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), which manages trademarks and branding for hundreds of colleges, circulated a proposal to revive a basketball game. Several developers entered formal bids, and EA ultimately secured the rights to bring the concept to life.

One detail in the proposal stood out: the inclusion of women’s basketball teams alongside men’s programs. That change reflects more overall cultural shifts in sports representation and signals a more inclusive approach to college athletics in video games moving forward.

You might notice one key detail missing from EA’s announcement: the NCAA name. That’s no accident. EA’s previous split from the NCAA during its college football hiatus means future games will likely rely on school-specific partnerships and group licensing, rather than NCAA branding.

This structure gives EA more flexibility and helps avoid past legal issues. You’ll still see real teams, recognizable arenas and authentic uniforms—but the NCAA logo probably won’t be on the box. And honestly, if the experience delivers what fans expect, you probably won’t miss it.

Riding Momentum From Football’s Comeback

EA’s recent success with College Football 25 laid the groundwork for this basketball revival. That title marked the return of another long-dormant franchise and quickly became one of the top-selling games in the U.S. Its success proved there’s still massive demand for college sports titles, particularly when they’re built with care and powered by modern tech.

This time around, EA can borrow from that foundation. Improved animation systems, deeper recruiting modes and smarter AI design—all of it can transfer over from football to basketball. If you’ve been craving a college basketball game that feels fresh and fluid, the studio’s new development tools could be a game-changer.

Of course, excitement around college sports isn’t limited to gaming. There's also growing interest in understanding how to win at sports betting in the college basketball sphere, particularly as fans get more analytical about team performance, player stats and match dynamics. For some, mastering the mechanics of a sports video game ties directly into real-world sports insight and strategy.

Remembering What Made the Originals Great

If you played EA’s college basketball games back in the day, you’ll remember the energy: real chants, student sections and authentic school traditions helped the games stand out. They moved beyond being simulations, capturing the emotion of college sports.

Still, those earlier titles had limitations—roster updates were clunky, visuals lagged behind other genres and modes lacked depth. Now, with new hardware and years of advancement, EA has the chance to construct something deeper and more dynamic than ever before. And for newcomers, it’s a chance to experience a type of sports game they may have missed entirely.

So, when can you actually expect to play? While EA hasn’t given a confirmed date, a memo tied to the licensing discussions points to a possible 2028 release. That may seem far off, but it also gives the development team time to build a polished product rather than rushing to market.

As for platforms, there’s been no official word, but based on EA’s typical approach, major consoles and PC are safe bets. A launch in 2028 could line up with the later years of the current console generation, meaning you can expect the game to be visually impressive and technically refined.

Reigniting the Energy of College Basketball

The return of a college basketball video game is more than a nostalgia play—it’s a real chance to reconnect with the culture of college sports. EA is clearly betting that players are ready for it, and early interest suggests the demand is still strong.

If you're a fan of the sport, this news opens the door to reliving rivalries, coaching your favorite team to glory or just losing yourself in player stats and tournament chaos. You don’t have to wait much longer to get back in the game. College basketball is coming home—this time with modern polish and fresh momentum.