Neyland Stadium is a sight to see, even in the new EA Sports College Football 25 video game, the first of its kind since 2013.
Knox News got its hands on an early copy of the game and spent July 18 playing − as the Tennessee Volunteers, of course − one day ahead of the official release on PS5 and Xbox Series X.
To kick things off, we selected the instant replay mode and took a tour of the roaring stadium to see how the venue is portrayed and to see where game developers dropped the ball.
Here’s what we’ve seen so far.
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What EA Sports College Football 25 gets right about Neyland Stadium
Home games begin with a cutscene of The Pride of the Southland Marching Band forming its iconic Power T. The team steps onto the field from the tunnel and Smokey (the dog) joins players in running through the “T.”
Fans hold up V-O-L hand signs. Some have the letters painted on their chests, and everyone seems to sing along to “Rocky Top” as the band performs its rendition.
The band plays other popular stand tunes while sitting in its designated section. Smokey (the mascot) appears in cutscenes throughout the game and cheers from the sidelines, along with the Tennessee cheer team.
When a touchdown happens, players celebrate as fireworks go off, while the mascot Smokey either stands on the brick wall in front of fans or is carried through the end zone.
The real Smokey runs through the end zone after a touchdown, just as he does in real life.
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EA Sports College Football 25 developers nail Neyland Stadium features
The virtual stadium is mostly true-to-life and includes the following features:
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Both large video boards, along with the newer North End Zone Social Deck.
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The V-O-L-S lettering that was added back to the stadium in 2022
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Checkerboard end zones, the midfield Power T and the orange-and-white SEC logo on the grass
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Fireworks from the skyboxes at the start of each game and after touchdowns
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Four American flags by the south video board (but no other flags)
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A roaring crowd, as indicated by the “stadium pulse” feature
What’s missing from Neyland Stadium in EA Sports College Football 25
Surprisingly, there’s quite a bit missing from the stadium in the new video game.
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Retired jersey numbers and the years UT won national titles are not included on the ribbon boards.
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The names of facilities within the stadium are not shown on the field.
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Pride of the Southland Marching Band members do not wear their usual uniforms and instead wear a generic orange outfit.
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The rival team’s traveling band isn’t included, though rival fans sit in the appropriate section.
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Knox News photographers aren’t on the sidelines covering the game.
About EA Sports College Football 25
EA Sports College Football 25 is officially out July 19 on PS5 and Xbox Series X for $69.99. This is the first college football video game since 2013 and was made possible, in part, by NCAA rules allowing players to make money off their name, image and likeness.
If you didn’t get early access by purchasing the deluxe version of the game, it will become available at 12 a.m.
The USA TODAY Sports team says the “presentation of the game will blow every gamer away.”
“The details of every team and stadium is precise, capturing the unique traditions and pageantry of every FBS school,” USA TODAY Sports said in its review. “If there were still any doubt this is a “Madden reskin,” the gameplay should put it to rest. It truly feels as if you’re playing an updated version of NCAA Football 14.”
Keenan Thomas is a higher education reporter. Email keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter @specialk2real.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Neyland Stadium in EA Sports College Football 25 roars for Tennessee
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