EA Sports to Release College Football Video Game in 2024

Scott Polacek @@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IV

Photo Illustration by Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

EA Sports announced Tuesday that the EA Sports College Football video game will release in the summer of 2024.

Daryl Holt, the vice president and general manager of EA Sports, told ESPN's Michael Rothstein: "That's the best date for us to bring the game that we think is going to meet or exceed our player expectations, and cover the breadth and scale of what we want in the game. We're trying to build a very immersive college football experience."

Matt Brown of Extra Points first reported Monday that EA would delay the release of EA Sports College Football until 2024.

However, Rothstein noted Holt said that "rumored potential earlier dates of release were conjecture and the game had not been pushed or delayed. He said there is a lot they wanted to work into the game, and they had to start everything from the beginning."

Brown added more context:

Matt Brown @MattBrownEP
Quick thoughts<br><br>1) I am legitimately surprised by this. <br><br>2) I've been writing this basically ever since I first broke news about the game...EA does not want to just do a Madden reskin. They want the CFB game to be completely new IP.

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The return of the beloved game has been heavily anticipated since EA Sports announced in 2021 that it was coming back:

EASPORTSCollege @EASPORTSCollege
For those who never stopped believing... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EASPORTSCollegeFootball?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EASPORTSCollegeFootball</a> <a href="https://t.co/ojDl9LzXuj">pic.twitter.com/ojDl9LzXuj</a>

Those anxious to play will have to wait another year. However, fans will likely be excited to hear that Holt would like to include real players in the upcoming game, in addition to a dynasty mode.

"If you look back on where we were talking in 2021, that road was blocked," Holt said. "I think I even said something to the fact that we were passengers on this journey just like anyone else. Well, the road's open now, but it's still under construction."

Rothstein reported that an EA source said players will receive compensation if they are in the game.

The last version of the game was NCAA Football 14 and featured Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson on the cover. Previous cover stars included Tim Tebow, Reggie Bush, Matt Ryan, Charles Woodson, Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald.

Fans might not find out the next cover star until 2024.