Which One Should You Buy?

The fall football season isn’t just for tailgating and watching your favorite NFL team on Sundays, it’s also when EA Sports drops two of the most anticipated sports titles of the year: College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26.

While both games share a similar gameplay and presentation backbone, each title offers a unique experience that caters to a different type of fan. If you are still debating which one to pick up (or whether it’s worth buying both), this guide breaks down the key features, modes and shortcomings of each title to help you decide.

It is expected that the EA Sports College Football saga will be a yearly release, which will make this decision an annual one for football fans across the country. Luckily, College Football 26 has been out for almost a month, giving us some great insight that will help make this decision easier.

Related Article: Madden 26 Reveals the New 99 Club Prior Ahead of Ratings Release

When looking at the game modes that these titles offer, you see a lot of similarities in gameplay. Here is a breakdown of the modes featured in both Madden NFL 26 and College Football 26:

Madden NFL 26 Modes:

College Football 26 Modes:

College Ultimate Team: Build your squad with current college players and former legends and use them to compete against others online
Dynasty: Create your own coaching legacy as you take the helm of a college team where you will manage recruiting, roster building, and on-field performance
Road to Glory: Take control of a player during high school and play all the way through a college career where you need to manage on-field performance, GPA, team chemistry, wear and tear, and relationships
Road to the College Football Playoff: Take control of your favorite college team as you battle other players online for the chance at a National Championship

When comparing these very similar modes, the atmosphere and season format are going to be the main differentiators between the two titles.

If you are looking to play against hundreds of schools across the country, establish recruiting pipelines, or develop as a high school recruit, the gameplay in College Football 26 is going to suit you better.

If you are an avid NFL fan who wants to control the best players in the world while working towards the Lombardi Trophy, the Madden NFL 26 will suit you better.

The presentation style is going to drastically differ between College Football 26 and Madden 26 which will change how each game feels.

EA is taking a huge presentation leap in Madden 26 as they are adding four different presentation styles that will change depending on the TV window the game is played in. The post below from Ari Meirov on X shows these four packages:

In addition to these differing presentations, within Franchise Mode you will receive halftime shows and weekly recaps from Scott Hansen, the star of NFL Redzone. Not only will this bring “The Witching Hour” to Madden, but it will add an enhanced level of realism for Franchise players on a weekly basis.

In College Football 26, two different broadcast teams are included depending on the relevance of the matchup. The pageantry and tradition of college football are on full display as each school showcases a unique stadium entrance and impact on the opposing team.

It has not been confirmed whether Teambuilder support will be offered in Madden NFL 26.

As one of the biggest features in College Football 26, Teambuilder allows you to create a school from the ground up. With full customization of team uniforms, stadiums, rosters and recruiting pipelines, Teambuilder allows you to import any school you can fathom into the game.

Both titles are going to cost you $69.99 for access to the base game. Each title comes with its own Deluxe Editions that will provide you with extra bonuses on top of the base game:

MVP Bundle Upgrade

For $149.99 you will receive:

If you are planning on buying both Madden NFL 26 and College Football 26, you should absolutely choose the MVP Bundle Upgrade as opposed to buying each base game separately.

The bonus 4600 Points (in-game currency) you get for each game is worth about $80 by itself. The additional exclusive player items and early access is just a cherry on top of the added value this bundle provides.

Madden NFL 26 Deluxe Edition

For $99.99 you will receive:

College Football 26 Deluxe Edition

For $99.99 you will receive:

Sadly, the Deluxe Edition of College Football 26 is going to come with much less bonuses than you get with the Deluxe Edition of Madden. If you are planning on purchasing the Deluxe Edition of College Football 26, your money may be better spent upgrading to the MVP Edition.

Madden has a thriving esports scene with the Madden Championship Series (MCS), which is set to make a return for its 11th season in Madden NFL 26. While there is no confirmed competition start date, we can expect tournaments to begin right after the global launch.

Look for announcements in the coming days regarding the competitive season schedule for Madden NFL 26.

There is no official esports scene for College Football 26. After the series was revived last year, many have speculated that EA will soon develop a championship series that mimics the MCS.

If you are looking to get involved in high-level competitive gaming, Madden NFL 26 is the better option with much more opportunity.

There isn’t a correct answer that will fit everybody’s playstyles. However, here is a baseline generalization that will help aid your final decision in which game to choose:

Buy College Football 26 if you:

Buy Madden NFL 26 if you: