Following the recent launch of NBA 2K26, 2K Sports has officially confirmed its entry into college basketball with plans for a brand-new “college basketball experience.” This announcement arrives shortly after reports surfaced suggesting that EA`s rival college basketball title might be encountering considerable development hurdles.
In an official statement, 2K Sports explicitly stated, “Yes, it`s true. We`re developing a college basketball experience that will showcase over 100 programs nationwide, encompassing both prominent institutions and underdog narratives.”
While specific details remain under wraps, 2K emphasized that their strategy for college basketball is designed to ensure that “our partner schools, college athletes, and our players all benefit.”
Regarding the expected release timeframe for this new college basketball title, 2K reassured fans, stating, “you won`t have to wait long to start seeing your favorite colleges show up in game.” The developer also hinted at “big plans for 2027 and beyond,” alongside “a few surprises coming in early 2026.”
2K reiterated its longstanding commitment to delivering high-quality basketball simulations, affirming, “We`ve proven the quality of the basketball experience we can deliver for years, and have every intention to bring that same level of quality to college hoops.” The message concluded with their characteristic slogan, “Ball over everything.”
Historically, 2K maintained a college basketball franchise for many years, with College Hoops 2K8 being its final installment in 2007. In parallel, EA`s NCAA Basketball series concluded with NCAA Basketball 10 in 2009.
Although EA had announced its intention to revive its college basketball series last June, 2K had also previously confirmed their parallel project. Recent developments, including an internal memo from an EA executive, indicate that EA`s game may not proceed as planned, with many collegiate institutions reportedly opting to partner with 2K instead.
Basketball represents a highly profitable segment for 2K, demonstrated by the remarkable sales figures of its NBA 2K series, which has sold over 162 million units globally to date.
Despite the uncertain future of EA`s college basketball series, the company is currently enjoying substantial success with its recently relaunched College Football series. The 2024 installment, College Football 25, achieved immense success, generating over $1 billion in revenue, while College Football 26 has already become one of the top three best-selling games of 2025 in the U.S.