College Football 25 early access starts on July 18, 2024, at 10 a.m. ET for players who pre-order the deluxe or 20th anniversary edition

Early access to College Football 25 is not available to all players — it depends on which version you pre-order. If you buy the standard edition, you get the game on July 25, 2024. If you pre-order the deluxe edition or the 20th anniversary edition, you can start playing one week earlier, on July 18 at 10 a.m. ET.

The early access window lasts until the standard release date on July 25. After that, everyone who owns the game can play, regardless of which edition they bought. The time difference between time zones matters: 10 a.m. ET is 9 a.m. CT, 8 a.m. MT, and 7 a.m. PT.

Key Takeaways

  • Early access begins July 18, 2024, at 10 a.m. ET, but only for players who pre-order the deluxe or 20th anniversary edition.
  • The standard edition does not include early access and releases on July 25, 2024.
  • Early access lasts one week, ending when the game releases to all players on July 25.
  • You need an active EA Play subscription or Xbox Game Pass to play on those platforms during early access.

How to Pre-Order for Early Access

You can pre-order College Football 25 through the PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, or EA's website. On PlayStation, search for the game in the PS Store, select the deluxe or 20th anniversary edition, and complete the purchase. On Xbox, do the same through the Microsoft Store. On PC, you can buy through EA's website or Steam.

When you pre-order, the game begins downloading automatically a few days before the early access date. You do not need to do anything else — when 10 a.m. ET arrives on July 18, the game will be ready to play. If the read has not started, restart your console or PC to trigger it.

What You Need to Play on Day One

On PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S, you need the console, an internet connection, and a valid account on that platform. You do not need a separate subscription to play the single-player modes, but online modes like Ultimate Team require an active PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass subscription.

On PC through Steam, you need a Steam account and the game installed. If you buy through EA's website, you need an EA account. On Xbox Game Pass for console or PC, the game is included with your subscription, so early access is available to Game Pass members on July 18 as well.

Deluxe Edition vs. 20th Anniversary Edition

Both editions include early access, but they differ in what else they contain. The deluxe edition includes bonus Ultimate Team packs and in-game currency. The 20th anniversary edition is a special release that costs more and includes additional cosmetic items and packs tied to the game's history.

If you only care about early access and not the bonus items, the deluxe edition is the cheaper option. Check the current price on your platform's store, as prices vary by region and may change during sales.

Time Zone Conversion for Your Region

Early access begins at 10 a.m. ET on July 18. If you live in a different time zone, subtract or add hours accordingly. The conversion is: 9 a.m. CT (Central), 8 a.m. MT (Mountain), 7 a.m. PT (Pacific), 3 p.m. BST (British Summer Time), 4 p.m. CEST (Central European Summer Time), and 12 a.m. AEST on July 19 (Australian Eastern Standard Time).

Set a reminder on your phone for your local time on July 18. If you pre-ordered on console, the game should already be downloaded and ready. If you pre-ordered on PC, verify the read finished the night before.

What Happens If You Miss Early Access

If you do not play during the early access week, you can still play starting July 25 when the game releases to everyone. Your progress in single-player modes carries over, and your Ultimate Team account is the same. You do not lose anything by starting later.

If you pre-ordered but the game does not unlock at 10 a.m. ET, restart your console or PC. If that does not work, check your email to confirm the pre-order went through. Contact EA Support through their website if the game still does not appear in your library.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Xbox Game Pass to play early access?

Only if you are playing on Xbox. Game Pass members get early access on July 18 because the game is included with the subscription. On PlayStation or PC, you need to pre-order the deluxe or 20th anniversary edition.

Can I play early access on multiple devices?

Yes, if you own the game on multiple platforms. Your pre-order applies to the platform you bought it on. If you pre-order on both PlayStation and Xbox, you can play early access on both starting July 18.

What if I pre-ordered the standard edition by mistake?

You can cancel the pre-order and buy the deluxe edition instead on most platforms. Go to your order history in the store, select the game, and look for a cancel or refund option. Then pre-order the deluxe edition to get early access.

Will my early access progress disappear after July 25?

No. All progress you make during early access carries over when the game releases to everyone on July 25. Your saves, Ultimate Team cards, and unlocked content remain the same.