On June 30, EA Sports revealed its plans to bring back the NCAA Basketball franchise, though the anticipated release is not expected until 2028 at the earliest. This announcement follows the successful revival of the College Football franchise, which has become a standout title in 2024.

From 1998 to 2009, EA Sports consistently released yearly versions of the NCAA Basketball series, originally known as NCAA March Madness. Similar to the NCAA Football series, this game showcased teams from various NCAA Division I schools, including renowned institutions such as Duke and Kansas, as well as smaller colleges like Gonzaga. The series was ultimately discontinued in 2009 due to declining sales. However, recent success with EA Sports College Football 25, which was the second-best-selling game of 2024 behind Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, has rekindled interest in new game developments.

Amidst the rebuilding of college sports simulators, particularly following a pivotal Supreme Court ruling in 2021 concerning athletes’ names, images, and likeness (NIL), EA Sports confirmed the revival of the NCAA Basketball series. Following the positive reception of the College Football reboot, EA pursued a plan for a new basketball video game project, as detailed in a memo from the College Licensing Company, indicating collaboration with various college conferences. The forthcoming release aims to encompass a wide array of teams, featuring 730 NCAA Division I teams.

This renewed focus on college sports titles coincides with the upcoming release of College Football 26, which will expand on previous game mechanics and improve gameplay features such as play-calling and dynamic substitutions, promising fans an immersive virtual stadium experience. As updates on the NCAA Basketball return are anticipated, players will likely find excitement in these developments.