When EA Sports confirmed that Madden NFL 26 would launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and even the Nintendo Switch 2, football fans on PC were thrilled. But that excitement didn’t last long for college football fans, because College Football 26 is locked to consoles. No PC release. So why does one football franchise get PC support while the other doesn’t?
Let’s take a look at history, as it’s usually a good teacher.
The Rocky History of Madden on PC
Madden’s relationship with PC hasn’t always been smooth, but history explains a lot. The series was a PC staple through Madden NFL 08, before EA abruptly pulled the plug from 2009 to 2017. For nearly a decade, PC players had no way to play Madden outside of emulation, and frankly, it sucked. However, fans of the series didn’t just let that sit idle. They let EA know every chance they could by voicing their frustration on forums, Reddit, and even by putting petitions together and sending them to EA.
As for why Madden was canceled on the PC after Madden NFL 08, it was all about the money. EA’s executives had deemed that the PC sales of the prior games were too low to justify development costs compared to the console versions. At the time, the football audience was much larger on PlayStation and Xbox, and EA claimed PC gamers weren’t really interested in sports titles. There was also a technical angle: supporting PC meant extra work for compatibility, online features, and anti-piracy measures, and EA decided it wasn’t worth it when the majority of their sports audience was on consoles.
That line held until fan demand grew and digital platforms like Origin and Steam made distribution easier. In 2018, EA brought the series back with Madden NFL 19 on PC, and they’ve kept releasing PC versions every year since. That’s seven years of consistent support, on top of Madden being one of EA’s biggest sports properties. At this point, PC isn’t an experiment for Madden; it’s an established platform with a dedicated audience.
What’s the Deal with College Football 26?
To understand why College Football 26 isn’t coming to PC, you also have to look at history. It’s the second entry in the series in over a decade, following College Football 25, and EA clearly wants to play it safe. Development is focused entirely on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, the platforms where the overwhelming majority of sports gamers have a vast audience.
And it’s likely due to this that EA doesn’t see the PC audience for college football as large enough to justify the work. Porting a sports game isn’t just a push of a button. Developers have to account for endless hardware configurations, performance optimizations, and testing. With most players on consoles, EA likely assumed that it would make more sense to prioritize where the biggest audience is.
Now, that doesn’t mean EA is correct. Especially since we’ve seen that PC as a gaming platform has experienced tremendous growth year after year. While it hasn’t surpassed consoles, it’s no longer the slouch that it used to be and has been putting up great numbers. Especially in certain regions where PC gaming has taken off, with no signs of slowing down.
Combine that with the rise of handheld PC devices, especially with the success of the Steam Deck, PC gaming has been even more accessible, reaching out to a much broader audience. Due to this, it’s usually a good idea to keep PC among the platforms when releasing a title.
If history has taught us anything, it’s that fan pushback can make a difference. Madden was gone from PC for ten years, and it only came back because players kept pushing, voicing their frustration, and proving the demand was there. If College Football fans want to see the series hit PC, the same kind of pressure could eventually force EA to rethink its strategy.
For more on how the game itself plays, check out The Outerhaven’s review of College Football 26, where we dig into the gameplay, presentation, and whether the long-awaited return lives up to the hype.
Could It Come Later?
EA hasn’t ruled out a PC version of College Football in the future. If College Football 26 sells beyond expectations and the series establishes itself again, PC players may get their chance down the line. But as it stands, EA doesn’t view the college football audience on PC as large enough to make it a launch priority.
Here’s What I Personally Think
The difference between Madden NFL 26 and College Football 26 comes down to history and proven sales. Madden may have skipped PC for ten years, but fans never stopped pushing EA, and since 2018, the franchise has been consistent on PC. College Football, on the other hand, is essentially starting over and doesn’t have the same guaranteed demand.
That said, history has shown us that fan voices matter. Madden only came back to PC because players refused to let it die, and eventually, EA had no choice but to listen. If College Football fans want the series on PC, the same kind of sustained pressure could convince EA to make it happen. Until then, console players will be the only ones taking the field in College Football 26, while PC gamers are left on the sidelines, hoping for their own comeback story.
So, get pissed. Get frustrated. Let EA know that you do want to play College Football 26 on PC, and if not this year’s version, then definitely next year’s version. That’s if there is one.
