As the dust settles on the massive success of College Football 25, rumors surrounding College Football 26 are already heating up. With EA Sports riding high on the unexpected triumph of 25, the franchise is now poised to deliver even more features and improvements in the next installment. Although College Football 26 is still about seven months away, speculation is rampant, and we’ve compiled the top five rumors making waves in the gaming community.
1. High School Mode Returns to Road to Glory
One of the biggest complaints about College Football 25 was the lack of depth in the Road to Glory mode. While the feature of managing your hours as a student-athlete was a great addition, the absence of a high school segment left many fans disappointed.
EA has reportedly been listening to player feedback and surveys, which indicate a strong demand for the return of the high school portion. This feature, previously a staple of older NCAA titles, allowed players to chart their rise from a high school star to a college athlete.
Rumors suggest that not only will high school return, but it might also be more challenging than before. In the past, the mode was often criticized for being too easy, making it feel like a chore. A revamped and slightly more difficult high school experience could add greater depth and replayability to the Road to Glory mode.
“The main thing Road to Glory needs right now is that high school prelude into college. I’d be very surprised if it wasn’t in the game, given the feedback and rumors so far.”
2. Trophy Room Makes a Comeback
Another highly requested feature is the return of a Trophy Room. Many fans were disappointed that College Football 25 lacked a dedicated space to display awards and accomplishments. Players want a place to celebrate individual and team achievements, whether it’s a Heisman Trophy, a conference championship, or a national title.
The return of the Trophy Room is seen as a relatively simple feature to implement, compared to more resource-intensive additions like high school mode. Given its inclusion in player surveys and the overwhelmingly positive feedback surrounding it, there’s a high probability that this feature will make its way into College Football 26.
“Fans want to see the awards they’ve won, whether it’s as a player, a coach, or a team. The Trophy Room is an important feature that adds an extra level of immersion to the game.”
3. Create-a-Stadium for Team Builder
Team Builder made a solid return in College Football 25, allowing players to create their own custom teams. While the feature was well-received, the inability to create custom stadiums was a glaring omission. Instead, players had to choose from existing generic stadiums, which often broke the immersion of having a truly custom team.
Rumors suggest that EA is exploring the possibility of adding a Create-a-Stadium feature in College Football 26. While this may not be a guarantee—given the resources required to implement it—it’s clear that this addition is high on the priority list for future iterations.
“The biggest thing missing from Team Builder is the ability to create your own stadium. It’s something fans have wanted for years, and while it might not make it into 26, it’s definitely coming at some point.”
4. Deeper Road to Glory with Storylines
EA is reportedly working on expanding the Road to Glory mode even further by incorporating storylines. However, this is a polarizing feature, as past attempts at story-driven career modes in other EA and 2K games have received mixed reviews.
If handled well, storylines could add depth to the Road to Glory experience, but the key will be giving players freedom. Instead of forcing players down a predetermined path, EA could implement optional side quests or challenges that allow for more personalized career development.
“Storylines can work if they’re implemented as side quests rather than dictating the player’s career path. It’s all about giving players the ability to create their own unique stories.”
5. Real Coaches Coming to the Game
One of the most exciting rumors is the potential inclusion of real-life college football coaches in College Football 26. While their absence in 25 wasn’t a dealbreaker for most fans, it was something that many players hoped to see in future versions.
EA has previously stated that their main focus for 25 was securing NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) rights for players and nailing the details of teams and stadiums. Now that these hurdles have been cleared, attention can turn to adding real coaches to the game.
“EA has hinted that real coaches would be coming sooner rather than later. With the heavy lifting done for 25, 26 seems like the perfect time to introduce this feature.”
What’s Next for College Football 26?
While these five rumors are generating the most buzz, it’s clear that EA Sports is committed to building on the foundation of College Football 25. From a deeper Road to Glory experience to the return of fan-favorite features like high school mode and the Trophy Room, College Football 26 is shaping up to be an even better game.
If you’re as excited as we are, stay tuned for more updates. And if you’re still grinding through College Football 25, check out this guide to the coolest features currently in the game!