Ball State Launches First Ever EA Sports College Football 26 Tournament A single-elimination bracket ignites school and alumni spirit—Fridays from August 29 through September 26, with a championship game on October 4

Ball State University is bringing the virtual gridiron to campus with its inaugural EA Sports College Football 26 tournament. This unique event blends school spirit with gaming culture—open to students, staff, alumni, and fans.

📅 Tournament Timeline & Format

Kickoff: August 29
Rounds: Every Friday through September 26
Championship Game: Saturday, October 4
Registration Open: August 12–26 (11:59 p.m. deadline)
Participants will go head-to-head as Ball State in a single-elimination bracket.

🏫 Who Can Join & How It Breaks Down

Players register in two divisions: on-campus (students, athletes, staff, Greek life) and off-campus (commuters, alumni, fans).
Division winners get social media shout-outs; the overall champion scores a VIP game-day experience, including on-field access during the first quarter and a game day gift pack.

🤝 Community Kickoff: Geoff vs. Jeff Bowl

In a spirited warm-up, Ball State President Geoffrey Mearns and Athletics Director Jeff Mitchell faced off live in the first "Geoff vs. Jeff Bowl." The result? A close yet symbolic victory—and a fun ambassador moment for the tournament.

🏆 Final Thoughts

Ball State’s EA Sports CFB 26 tournament brings fresh energy to community engagement—uniting alumni, faculty, fans, and students through virtual competition and campus pride. Whether you're a gamer, an athlete, or just school-spirited, this is a smart, spirited initiative.