Sparky appears on College Football 27 cover, 2nd straight edition with ASU presence

For the second straight year, Arizona State football is being represented on the cover of an EA Sports College Football video game, this time with the school’s mascot, Sparky, getting the limelight.

The famous maroon and gold persona is proudly holding up a pitchfork in the back right corner of the College Football 27 Deluxe Edition cover.

 

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Coach Kenny Dillingham and former Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt, who has since transferred to LSU, were featured on the 2026 deluxe edition.

One of the other two mascots visible on the cover is ironically enough LSU’s Mike the Tiger, waving a purple team banner just to left of Sparky. The third is Western Kentucky University’s Big Red, whose blob-like figure can often be seen doing belly slides.

Curt Cignetti, coach of the reigning national champion Indiana, is at the forefront of the alternate cover and is surrounded by the likes of Oregon quarterback Dante Moore and Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney.

The standard game cover illustrates Toney throwing up “The U” in the center with Moore (to his right) and Ole Miss’s Kewan Lacey (left), with exploding fireworks at sunset as their backdrop.

Why Sparky, ASU football’s national notoriety is rising

ASU gained national steam during its 2024 run to the College Football Playoff quarterfinal, which doubled as the Peach Bowl, against Texas.

Though the Sun Devils fell off a bit in 2025 to the tune of an 8-5 season and Sun Bowl loss, Dillingham has guided them to a 22-17 overall record since taking over in 2023.

“Holy cow. That’s back-to-back years of Arizona State University being on the cover of the video game in some way shape or form. Back-to-back years, like the relevancy is growing,” Dillingham told reporters Wednesday. “If somebody would have told me that four years ago, I would have like pinched myself, right? So, we’re getting there.”

Four ASU products were selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, including star wide receiver Jordyn Tyson and offensive tackle Max Iheanachor, who each went off the board in the first round.

That momentum of sending off professional talent looks to boost this upcoming season, as ASU brought in key pieces through the transfer portal such as wide receiver Omarion Miller and quarterback Cutter Boley.

In 2026, ASU will notably play the first ever college football game in London against Kansas on Sept. 19 (Week 3) as well as opponents Texas A&M (Sept. 12) and defending Big 12 title game winner Texas Tech (Oct. 17).

College Football 27 will be released at a later date.

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