EA Sports is releasing a significant update for College Football 26 on August 6 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, featuring more than 100 changes. This update covers a wide range of gameplay improvements, new awards in Dynasty Mode, and fixes in Ultimate Team, among other adjustments.
Some of the key gameplay tweaks focus on defensive coverage and blocking mechanics. Defenders will now better recognize swing routes and adjust their positions in various coverages like Cover 2 Tampa and Cover 3 Match. Blocking has been tuned with improvements to pass protection, run blocking, and pocket behavior, preparing to reduce odd animations and increase realism. For example, blockers are now better at identifying late blitzers, and edge rushers react more appropriately to scrambling quarterbacks.
Playbooks received updates, too, including adjustments to Wildcat and Flexbone plays and new formations for teams like Army and Navy. The update also disables the Playmaker flip on Flexbone FB to prevent broken handoffs, which should smooth out some frustrating moments.
Dynasty Mode sees the addition of two new awards: the Shaun Alexander award for the best Freshman of the Year and the Jet Award for the top special-teams returner. Scheduling rules have been refined to reflect local game times more accurately, especially for teams outside the Eastern time zone. Player modules now show Career Wear and Tear in the Transfer Portal to help with decision-making. A number of fixes address issues with player positions, coach records, and team statistics. SuperSim settings have been tuned to reduce AI pass attempts and better reflect real-world quarterback rushing stats.
For those who enjoy Road To Glory, scholarship offers will now be visible even if schools aren’t in your Top 10 list. Training Wear and Tear has been reduced, and several bugs related to player grades, sponsorship deals, and graduation timelines have been fixed. The update also adds new NIL sponsorship deals and improves the display of player stats and feedback.
Ultimate Team improvements tackle a variety of UI and gameplay issues. Event rules and prerequisites now display correctly, and navigation problems in menus have been resolved. Several bugs causing crashes or incorrect reward displays have been addressed. Pack Helper will now prioritize set completion when an empty lineup is active, which might help with team building. Overall, the update aims to smooth out many rough edges in this mode.
Presentation tweaks include adjusted player neck length and helmet fitment, as well as new and updated uniforms for multiple teams such as Ohio, Notre Dame, and Tennessee. New crowd themes have been added for a long list of schools, with crowd reactions tuned to feel more dynamic during big moments. Music and chants have been refreshed or added for teams like Oregon, Missouri, and Washington State, enhancing the atmosphere.
New mascots have been introduced for Appalachian State, Virginia, UTEP, James Madison, and Memphis, adding some fresh spirit to the sidelines. Field art also got some love with a new Kansas “Waving Wheat” end zone design and corrections for other teams’ field graphics.
Full Patch Notes
Gameplay
Coverage
- Hard Flats Behavior: Defenders now stay closer to the line and recognize swing routes as threats in the flat.
- Cover 2 Tampa: The middle defender now gets deeper, maintaining better leverage position against deep threats, especially from 3×1 formations.
- Cover 3 Match (incl. Buzz Mable & Zone Blitz 3): Logic improvements for defenders reacting to Slot WRs attempting to outleverage the defense on deep routes.
- Cover 2 Match (incl. Cover 6/9/Zone Blitz 2): Logic improvements for defenders guarding inside and vertical routes, especially in bunches and stacks formations. Improved defense against outside throws and motion-heavy offenses.
- Cover 4 Quarters: Against 3×1 sets, corners and safeties pick up the appropriate vertical threat to cover the #3 receiver on deep routes.
- Cover 4 Palms & Cover 6: Corners won’t press by default on the trips side, reducing chances of one-play touchdowns.
Blocking
Pass Block/Pass Rush
- Pre-Play: Resolved issues where QB animations prevented players from making protection adjustments blocking the RB.
- Protection Menu: Now closes automatically after making an adjustment.
- Visual Feedback: Fixed display issues with pass block lines after hot routing the HB.
- Blocking Logic Enhancements:
- Improved recognition of stunts and loops across base, empty, and slide protections.
- Base protection is less effective against stunts, reflecting its man-on-man nature.
- Blockers better identify late blitzers and avoid premature handoffs that lead to free rushers.
- Pocket Behavior:
- Tuned to decrease pass blockers staying in double teams unnecessarily.
- Reduced illegal man downfield penalties.
- Edge rushers better recognize when out-leveraged by scrambling QBs.
- Difficulty Tuning:
- Increased pass rush effectiveness on Heisman and All-American.
- Decreased pass rush effectiveness on lower difficulties.
Run Block/Run Shed
- Targeting Fixes: Resolved blockers missing or switching targets in open field, including on RPOs and core blocking schemes.
- Run Game Enhancements:
- Added logic to allow untargeting defenders on run plays using the ID Mike system.
- Fixed slow double team splits preventing blockers from reaching the second level.
- Improved lead blocker logic and HB targeting in under-center formations.
- Engagement & Shedding Logic:
- Defenders’ leverage now affects block outcomes appropriately.
- Defensive linemen shed blocks more realistically in short-yardage situations.
- Edge players no longer disengage inside or take unrealistic inside angles.
- Reduced defender control on block steering interactions.
- Animation & Ratings Logic:
- Defenders with big rating advantages now trigger “super win” animations correctly.
- Fixed edge rushers not responding properly to scrambling QBs.
General Blocking Animations
- Fixed multiple animation issues causing frozen players, wrong directions, and engagement mismatches.
Run Fits and Pursuit
- Tuned QB contain defenders vs. play-action bootlegs.
- Improved man coverage effectiveness vs. Jet Motion, with defenders following motion through the snap.
Playbooks
- Adjusted Wildcat and Flexbone plays including QB Power Swing, Direct Snap, and FB Dive logic.
- Split Flexbone FB Toss into FB Sweep (Pin-Pull) and FB Zone Toss (Outside Zone).
- Fixed blocking issues on rocket toss, Buck Sweep, and Pistol PA HB Wheel plays.
- Improved motion consistency and fixed alignment in no-huddle formations.
- Disabled Playmaker flip on Flexbone FB Dive to prevent broken handoffs.
- Added new content to Army, Navy, Air Force, and Option Generic offenses including new Flexbone and Wingback formations.
- Introduced GoGo Generic Offense and expanded Air Raid Generic Offense.
- Updated play call suggestions to avoid duplicate play types in the same row.
- Added Goal Line set to UTSA and made Singleback Spread default to 4WR.
- Fixed pitch man behavior on option plays and improved backside edge blocking on RPOs and Play Action.
- Synced Play Action Bootlegs with paired runs and gave all PA Walk plays Inside Zone fake blocking.
- Improved deep PoCo route to better sell the Post.
- Reduced snap delay on Reload and Dbl Mtn plays (where QB/HB swap).
Dynasty
- Added Shaun Alexander award for best Freshman of the Year and Jet Award for best special teams returner.
- Career Wear and Tear now shown in Transfer Portal Player Module.
- Corrected lighting and game times to reflect local time accurately.
- New scheduling rules for non-Eastern time teams and Arizona day game limitations.
- Team uniforms added to player portraits on full screen notifications.
- Tuned Ability Pre-requisites for positional archetypes.
- Updated Skill Groups to ensure access to abilities, especially Toughness, with balance exceptions.
- Fixed Playing Style Grades for various archetypes.
- Increased Speed and Acceleration for Safeties in Recruit Generation.
- Pro Potential My School grade updates properly after Draft Results.
- Increased number of players starting Open Status in Transfer Portal.
- Records Screen filters maintain current selection when switching tabs.
- Updated various school rushing and receptions records.
- SuperSim reduced AI pass attempts, increased Yards Per Catch for elite WR1s, and raised designed QB Run Plays.
- Added Weekly Summary Notification for player visits.
- Fixed coach record display in Staff Moves and other issues with Custom Schedules and TeamBuilder grades.
- Added counter to Formation Subs showing total subs made.
Road To Glory
- Top Schools List now shows scholarship offers regardless of ranking.
- Fixed offer revoking bug at Signing Day.
- Reduced test readiness needed to pass exams, with GPA considerations.
- Reduced Wear and Tear damage from Training.
- Lowered Medal Thresholds for Gap Drill for Cornerbacks.
- Player Grade Widget and Pause Menu now show Total Touchdowns.
- Added Player Feedback Notifications after High School Games.
- New NIL Sponsorship Deals added.
- Fixed graduation in 3 years after redshirting first season.
- Fixed energy point spending bug on leadership and brand.
- Fixed current school showing as transfer option.
- Fixed MIKE linebacker display in Trophy Room.
Ultimate Team
- Fixed Event rules screen display issues.
- Fixed missing BND tag on upgraded items until menu refresh.
- Fixed Event Prerequisites House Rules display.
- Fixed navigation issues in Team Select and Lineup screens.
- Fixed token upgrade item visibility for Keldric Faulk.
- Fixed wallet disappearance after viewing field pass rewards.
- Fixed crash after leaving MUT Challenge Lobby.
- Fixed various UI bugs including reward displays, lineup editing prompts, and challenge errors.
- Pack Helper now recommends set completion when lineup is empty.
- Fixed auction pop-up errors and invite errors in UT Play a Friend lobbies.
- Game history now shows in Season Rewards screen.
- Multiple UI elements fixed for better visibility and functionality.
Presentation
Players/Equipment/Uniforms
- Adjusted neck length and helmet fitment on most players.
- Adjusted hair helmet placement for players with longer hair.
- New alternate uniform elements for Ohio, Notre Dame, Boston College, Tennessee, Tulane, Tulsa, Iowa State, Mississippi State, Cincinnati.
- Updated Home/Away sets for Washington, Liberty, West Virginia, Toledo, Georgia Tech, Houston, Tulane, Western Michigan, New Mexico State, Temple, Cincinnati.
- Adjusted uniform assets for Central Michigan (Helmet), North Carolina (Numbers), Marshall (Collar).
Audio
Crowd Updates
- Increased crowd reactions to big moments.
- Home Field Advantage pre-play swell tuned for different stadium sizes.
- Updated crowd assets for pregame and RTG First Person runouts.
- Improved deep pass anticipation reactions.
- Tuned field collision sounds and UI sounds across modes.
- New crowd themes for many schools, exclusive based on opponent and time of year.
Music/SFX/Chants
- Added Oregon Football Theme.
- Added Mr. Brightside to Missouri.
- Added All Hail Washington State post touchdowns.
- Added music to Tennessee VOLS chant.
- Added Pump it Up to Michigan after PAT on first TD.
- Updated Good Ole Song for Virginia.
- Added more chants for Arizona.
- Added SFX for Missouri State Cannon.
New Mascots
- Appalachian State – Yosef
- Virginia – Cavman
- UTEP – Paydirt Pete
- James Madison – Duke Dog
- Memphis – Pouncer
Field Art Updates
- Added new Kansas “Waving Wheat” End Zone Design.
- Various corrections for other teams’ field art.
