EA Sports’ ‘College Football 26’ to Reward Schools Like Notre Dame Based on Player Usage in Groundbreaking Royalty Model
In a major shift for college sports gaming, schools like Notre Dame will now earn royalties based on how often they are played in EA Sports’ upcoming release, College Football 26. The report, first released by Cllct Media and confirmed by CLC Learfield, outlines a revolutionary compensation structure that ties school payouts directly to in-game popularity.
> “For each CFB product released by EA SPORTS,” CLC Learfield stated, “we will provide a percentage for each institution based on the games played for that institution as a percentage of the total games played across all institutions.”
This means that the more gamers choose to play as teams like Notre Dame, Alabama, or Michigan, the larger slice of royalties those schools will receive. It’s a data-driven system that rewards programs with the most passionate and active fanbases—and incentivizes schools to engage more directly with their digital audiences.
Adding to the excitement, player compensation is set to more than double compared to last year’s edition. With the NCAA now embracing Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights, this marks a landmark moment where both schools and players are earning from their presence in the virtual football world.
Gamers, fans, and college programs alike are welcoming the change. It not only boosts fairness and transparency, but also strengthens ties between players, schools, and fans in the gaming space.
With College Football 26 dropping later this year, expect schools with massive followings—like Notre Dame—to benefit significantly as fans flood online to lead their favorite teams to digital glory.
