EA Sports College Football 26is set to bring refreshed rosters, 300 college coaches, 10 new player archetypes, dynamic substitutions, custom zones, and much more than its predecessor. Having returned to the gridiron in fine form last year, CFB 26 looks set to give college football fans even more control over how their favorite team plays, as well as a whole host of modes, so they can play the way they want. But how much longer do fans need to wait? Fortunately, not too much longer, and thanks toEA Sports College Football 26’searly access, it can be even sooner.

This guide will cover the exact release time, as well as how players can jump into the game a few days early.

college football 26 rooster mascot

What Time Does EA Sports College Football 26 Release?

A Classic Midnight Launch

College Football 26will be playable at 12 PM EDT on July 10 if you’re playing the standard edition of the game, and from 1 PM PT/ 4 PM ET via early access. I’ve included release times around the world below.

July 10 at 9 AM

college football 26 touchdown

July 7 at 9 AM

July 10 at 10 AM

EA Sports College Football Tag Page Cover Art

July 7 at 10 AM

July 10 at 11 AM

College Football 26 In Game Screenshot 1

July 7 at 11 AM

July 10 at 12 PM

College Football 26 In Game Screenshot 2

July 7 at 12 PM

July 10 at 5 PM

College Football 26 In Game Screenshot 3

July 7 at 5 PM

July 10 at 6 PM

College Football 26 In Game Screenshot 4

July 7 at 6 PM

Beijing (CST)

College Football 26 In Game Screenshot 5

July 11 at 1 AM

July 8 at 1 AM

College Football 26 In Game Screenshot 6

Tokyo (JST)

July 11 at 2 AM

July 8 at 2 AM

Auckland (NZST)

July 11 at 6 AM

July 8 at 6 AM

How to Play College Football 26 Early

Two Ways to Get a Headstart

Players can start playingCollege Football 26as early as July 7 by either preordering theDeluxe Editionof the game, or by having an EA Play subscription. By purchasing the Deluxe (or MVP) editions ofCollege Football 26, players will have unlimited access from July 7 at 4 PM ET/ 1 PM PT.

Those who aren’t looking to pay extra for the Deluxe Edition can also getCollege Football 26early access via EA Play, as this subscription offers you a 10-hour free trial. This is expected to go live at the same time as the Deluxe Edition’s release. To access the free trial, players will need to search forCollege Football 26on the PlayStation and Xbox Stores and then select the ‘Free Trial’ option that appears. The option to download the trial will only be made available at the early access release time.

If you’re playing via the 10-hour free trial, verify to close the game entirely once you’re finished. Leaving the game in Xbox’s Quick Resume, or having the app running on your PS5 can contribute towards the amount of time you’ve spent playing the game in the trial.