“TRENDING: Notre Dame’s Iconic Kickoff Anthem ‘I’m Shipping Up to Boston’ Confirmed for EA College Football 26, Joining Team-Specific Traditions Like Virginia Tech’s ‘Enter Sandman’”
In a move that’s already generating waves across the college football community and gaming world alike, EA Sports has reportedly confirmed that the iconic Notre Dame kickoff anthem, “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” by the Dropkick Murphys, will be featured in the highly anticipated EA College Football 26. For Irish fans, this news is nothing short of thrilling. For years, the haunting, adrenaline-pumping tune has echoed throughout Notre Dame Stadium moments before kickoff, becoming a musical rallying cry not just for the players but for the entire Fighting Irish fanbase. The decision to include such authentic and cherished stadium traditions in the game speaks volumes about EA Sports’ commitment to realism and pageantry, and marks a triumphant return of one of the most beloved video game franchises in sports history.
“I’m Shipping Up to Boston” has transcended its identity as just a punk rock anthem. For Notre Dame, it’s a pulse-quickening experience, a signal to fans and opponents alike that something electric is about to happen. The distorted guitar riff, the thundering drums, and the unmistakable raspy vocals are more than sound—they’re emotion, energy, and edge. Since its incorporation into Notre Dame’s game day routine, the song has taken on a life of its own, cementing its place in the lore of Fighting Irish football. The very idea that this tradition will now be playable and experienceable by fans around the world in EA College Football 26 adds a new layer of excitement for gamers and alumni alike.
EA Sports is not stopping at just Notre Dame. Alongside “I’m Shipping Up to Boston,” the game will reportedly feature other school-specific traditions that enhance the authenticity of the college football atmosphere. Virginia Tech fans, for example, will be pleased to learn that “Enter Sandman” by Metallica—one of the most spine-tingling entrance songs in all of sports—will also be included. For years, Hokie fans have jumped and screamed as their beloved team takes the field to the thunderous metal anthem, a tradition that’s become nationally recognized and even envied by opposing fanbases. Including such songs isn’t just about music—it’s about culture, tradition, and identity.
The significance of these additions cannot be overstated. EA Sports’ college football franchise was always known for capturing the spirit and uniqueness of college football—different from the more polished, commercial vibe of the NFL. What makes college football special is its passion, its diversity, and the loyalty of its fans to schools, not franchises. Each school has its own rituals, chants, entrances, and sounds that define its game day. Bringing in tracks like “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” and “Enter Sandman” injects that authenticity back into a series that has been dormant for over a decade. These aren’t just soundtrack choices—they’re signals to fans that EA is listening.
For Notre Dame specifically, this inclusion is particularly symbolic. As an independent powerhouse with a national fanbase, the Fighting Irish carry a distinct legacy that mixes history, religion, tradition, and excellence. The cathedral-like setting of Notre Dame Stadium, the echoes of legends past, and the sea of blue and gold all form a tapestry of college football royalty. “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” fits into that narrative not just because of its musical power, but because of what it represents: a hard-nosed, Irish-American grit that aligns with the school’s identity and heritage. It’s an anthem of resolve and resilience, qualities that have always defined Notre Dame football.
The integration of school-specific music traditions also opens the door for what many hope will be a broader, deeper commitment to realism throughout the game. From fight songs to crowd chants to stadium light shows and field-level detail, EA College Football 26 appears poised to not just replicate the sport but honor it. The inclusion of beloved songs will be a touchstone for fans who have waited over a decade since the last installment of the franchise, NCAA Football 14, which has remained a cult classic and still sees player activity today through modding communities and fan patches.
It’s also worth noting how this move could set a precedent for future expansions and customization within the game. Fans will inevitably ask: will Michigan get “The Victors”? Will LSU have the “Neck” chant? Will Wisconsin fans get to jump around to “Jump Around” in full 4K detail? These are the types of questions that EA Sports will now need to answer—not just with promises but with delivery. But if the inclusion of “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” is any indication, the early signs suggest EA is ready to go the extra mile.
From a development standpoint, licensing music like this can be a complex and expensive endeavor. Songs like “Enter Sandman” and “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” are not your average public domain fight tunes—they’re commercially successful, heavily protected works that require significant negotiation to use in a product like this. That EA was willing to make those investments speaks volumes about the seriousness with which the company is treating its long-awaited return to college football gaming.
Moreover, this news ties directly into the broader theme of authenticity, which has become an industry standard for sports gaming. Whether it’s FIFA, NBA 2K, or Madden NFL, modern sports games are judged not just by their graphics or gameplay mechanics but by how deeply they immerse players into the real-life experience. College football, more than perhaps any other sport, thrives on the hyper-local energy and pageantry of its schools. Capturing that vibe is not optional—it’s essential. With this move, EA is making it clear that they understand that assignment.
The fan response, predictably, has been enthusiastic. Notre Dame fans flooded social media with excitement, memes, and nostalgia-filled posts celebrating the return of their pre-kickoff tradition in digital form. Virginia Tech fans also took to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to proclaim how fired up they were to see “Enter Sandman” featured. The consensus among college football enthusiasts is clear: this is what we’ve been waiting for. Not just a game, but a celebration of the full college football experience.
There’s also a generation of younger fans who have grown up without access to a modern college football video game. For them, this game—and features like school-specific anthems—represents their first chance to experience what older players did years ago. For gamers who were 10 or 12 when NCAA Football 14 released and are now in college or beyond, this new iteration is both nostalgic and revolutionary. It blends the old with the new in a way that could redefine how college sports are portrayed in interactive entertainment.
Notre Dame’s choice of “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” also illustrates how schools often forge deep connections between music and identity. The song, originally written by Woody Guthrie and turned into a modern anthem by the Dropkick Murphys, has roots in Irish-American culture, working-class pride, and defiance—all values that Notre Dame has long symbolized in college athletics. Playing it before kickoffs isn’t just about hyping up the crowd—it’s about establishing who they are. In a world where branding is everything, traditions like this are as valuable as uniforms and logos.
As the July release date for EA College Football 26 draws closer, more details are expected to emerge. But this confirmation of team-specific anthems, especially Notre Dame’s, sets a bold and promising tone. For Fighting Irish fans, this is more than just a feature—it’s a digital preservation of a sacred ritual. For college football fans at large, it’s a sign that the long-dormant game is returning with its heart in the right place.
From the shadow of the Golden Dome to the roaring chaos of Lane Stadium, music is part of what makes college football magical. It stirs the soul, fuels the players, and turns ordinary moments into legendary ones. By incorporating tracks like “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” and “Enter Sandman,” EA College Football 26 is doing more than just resurrecting a video game franchise. It’s reigniting the spirit of college football for a new generation. And if this is just the beginning, fans have every reason to believe the game will live up to the sky-high expectations it carries.
