EA Sports College Football 25 early access: How to play before official 2024 release date

College football fans have been waiting 11 years for this week — the long break is over.

EA Sports College 25 is finally here. Gamers have been forced to play without a new college football game for over a decade, but that changes this week with the official release coming Friday.

While most of the general public is waiting a few more days to get their hands on the anticipated game, there are some whose patience has run out. If you fall into that category, you're in luck — there are ways to get early access to EA Sports College Football 25.

MORE: Who are the highest-rated players in EA Sports College Football 25?

The Sporting News explains how customers can gain early access to EA Sports College Football 25.

When does EA Sports College Football 25 come out?

• Date: July 19, 2024

EA Sports College Football's official release date is July 19, 2024.

However, fans have a chance to play the game four days before the formal release.

How to play EA Sports College Football 25 early

While Friday is the official release date for the entire public, there is a way for gamers to get a head start of the newest edition of the college football video game.

Here are the three ways to play the game, starting Monday at 4 p.m. ET.

MORE: How many 99 overall players are in EA Sports College Football 25?

Pre-order deluxe edition of EA Sports College Football 25

The deluxe version of EA Sports College Football 25 can be digitally pre-ordered through Xbox's Microsoft Store and PlayStation's PlayStation Store up until July 18.

In addition, those that purchase the deluxe version of the game receive the following:

• 4,600 College Football points
• Alma Mater Ultimate Team Pack (Choice of 1 player item out of 134)
• Cover Athlete Ultimate Team Pack
• Bring Glory Home Ultimate Team uniform item
• Ultimate Alumni Pack (Choice of 1 player item out of 10)

Purchase MVP bundle with Madden

The same approach with the deluxe version can be applied to the MVP bundle with Madden 35. Those that digitally pre-order through Xbox's Microsoft Store and PlayStation's PlayStation Store up until July 18 can enjoy early access to EA Sports College Football 25.

MORE: When was the last NCAA football game?

EA Play early access

Those that have EA Play early access also can get entry to a 10-hour trial beginning Monday.

EA Sports College Football 25 price

There are three different prices for EA Sports' College Football 25 depending on which edition or bundle is purchased.

The standard edition is $69.99, while the deluxe edition is $99.99.

There's also the MVP bundle, which includes the deluxe editions for both EA Sports College Football 25 and Madden 25. The bundle costs $149.99.