EA SPORTS Kicks Off a New College Football Season in a Big Way

Chris Stapleton headlines EA SPORTS Presents College Football 27 Ultimate Tailgate as the season celebration begins.

On Thursday, September 10, that celebration comes to Austin with the first EA SPORTS Presents College Football 27 Ultimate Tailgate, in partnership with Visa, at the iconic Longhorn City Limits (LBJ Lawn) at the University of Texas.  

The evening begins with one of college football's most recognizable traditions as the University of Texas Longhorn Band opens the celebration before Stella Lefty takes the stage. Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton will headline the night, bringing his signature blend of country, soul and blues back to the EA SPORTS Presents stage.

Throughout the night, students can also experience EA SPORTS College Football 27 gameplay, creator appearances, interactive activations, and more.

Built for University of Texas students who are Big Ticket holders, Ultimate Tailgate introduces EA SPORTS Presents to college football for the first time, building on experiences like Madden Bowl and House of Football and bringing fans closer to the celebrations and anticipation surrounding the start of college football season.

More Ways to Get in on the College Football Action

In EA SPORTS College Football 27, personal ambition meets program pride as players experience the traditions, expectations and stakes that make Saturdays different. As the season begins, that same spirit now comes to life on campus at Ultimate Tailgate, with fans everywhere able to join the rivalry through gameplay, creators and content from the event across EA SPORTS channels throughout the weekend.

Whether in Austin or following from home, fans can get in on the action throughout the weekend:

• 4th&1 With Cam Newton: Cam Newton brings together Texas legends Vince Young and Ricky Williams and Buckeye legends Braxton Miller and Cardale Jones to unpack what drove them to play for their university, share their thought process behind critical decisions and standout moments throughout their careers. Tune in Friday, September 11 on 4th&1 With Cam Newton YouTube or EA SPORTS YouTube.
• Catch Sketch Live: Sketch will be live with Cam Newton from Ultimate Tailgate, bringing fans into the College Football 27 experience from the heart of the event. Fans everywhere can watch live on Sketch’s Twitch channel starting at 5:30 PM CT. 
• Play the Rivalry: Texas vs. Ohio State will be the Ultimate Team Game of the Week, giving College Football 27 players another way to rep their school and play out the matchup themselves. 
• Xs & Os with Kurt Benkert: Breakdowns that bring football IQ, predictions and player perspectives to EA SPORTS social channels throughout the weekend. 
• Beyond the Field with Creators: Creators, including Katie Feeney, will chat with players and fans about the traditions, personalities and culture surrounding college football.

Visa, a world leader in digital payments, joins Ultimate Tailgate as the presenting partner through its broader partnership with EA Advertising, which brings fans closer to the action through immersive, premium experiences that blend competition, entertainment, and culture. Bumble will also join the Ultimate Tailgate celebration, helping fans beat the heat with branded hand fans available throughout the event.

"We want fans to feel like they’re part of everything that makes college football special. EA SPORTS College Football 27 connects fans to the traditions, rivalries and communities at the heart of the sport, and Ultimate Tailgate brings that experience beyond the controller,” says Evan Dexter, EA SPORTS VP of Franchise Strategy and Marketing. “It's about celebrating everything fans love about college football and creating moments they'll remember long after the weekend is over.”

Be There in Austin

Tickets are exclusively available to University of Texas Big Ticket holders, who can claim one free ticket to Ultimate Tailgate beginning Thursday, September 3 at 6:00 PM CT, on a first-come, first-served basis. Log in to your Texas Longhorns account to claim your ticket. 

Keep Playing All Season.

As college football season kicks off, keep the action going in EA SPORTS College Football 27. Build your legacy, then take your story from campus legend to NFL star in Madden NFL 27 with the Kickoff Bundle, featuring the Standard Editions of both games for $99.99. 

To keep up with all things EA SPORTS during college football season and beyond, follow EA SPORTS on Instagram, TikTok, X, and Facebook.

Check out other amazing EA stories on ea.com/news.