How Auburn University’s marching band recorded EA Sports College Football 26’s main theme
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Auburn University Marching Band to record EA Sports College Football 2026 theme
EA Sports chose the band after witnessing its Metallica Light Show. EA Sports officials visited Auburn to capture the band’s dynamic performance firsthand. The band is the first marching band to record this iconic theme for the game.
EA Sports, known for its popular video game franchises, chose the band after witnessing its Metallica Light Show.
“We need THAT energy,” EA Sports officials said, prompting them to visit Auburn to capture the band’s dynamic performance firsthand.
The university said collaboration involves several key figures, including Steve Schnur, President of EA Sports Music, Torsten Sales, Feature Producer, Kris Bowers, Composer, and Nick Spezia, Recording Engineer.
The band is the first marching band to record this iconic theme for the game.
Special thanks were extended to AUMB arranger Ward Miller for creating the marching band arrangement and AU Instructor of Percussion Aaron Locklear for the percussion arrangement.
The sound of the Auburn University Marching Band will greet players every time they start the game, bringing the spirit of Jordan-Hare Stadium to consoles worldwide.
Auburn University Marching Band to be included in EA Sports College Football 26
Auburn University’s marching band will play the opening theme for the new EA Sports video game. The game, College Football 26, will be released on July 10. EA Sports was inspired by the band’s “Metallica” halftime show. The band recorded the song in December and kept it a secret until this week. It will be played during the game’s three-day pre-release period on July 7-9. For more information on the game, visit EA Sports’ website.
EA Sports was impressed by the AUMB’s “Metallica” halftime show performance and wanted to capture that energy for the game’s theme.
The game releases on July 10, with early access available from July 7-9.
Auburn fans will hear a tune from a local source when they play College Football 26, the latest college football video game from EA Sports that will release next month.
The Auburn University Marching Band shared on its Instagram page that it has been selected to play the opening theme for the video game. According to the post, AUMB was approached by EA Sports to record the theme song, which the band recorded in December and kept a secret until this week. EA Sports was intrigued by Auburn’s “Metallica” halftime show during the 2023 season, saying that it wanted to replicate the energy from the show for its theme song.
“Thanks to Steve Schnur (President of EA Sports Music, @sschnur ), Torsten Sales (Feature Producer), Kris Bowers (Composer), and Nick Spezia (Recording Engineer) for trusting in the AUMB to be the first marching band to record this iconic theme for the game,” AUMB shared on its Instagram page. “Also a big thanks to AUMB arranger Ward Miller, for creating the marching band arrangement, and AU Instructor of Percussion Aaron Locklear, for the percussion arrangement.”
The new game will be released on July 10, according to EA Sports’ website, with a special pre-release three-day period between July 7 and July 9 for fans eager to play the game early. Fans who play the game will get the chance to play as the Auburn Tigers by scoring touchdowns with Cam Coleman and sacking opposing quarterbacks with Keldric Faulk, which is a perfect way to get into the college football spirit.
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College Football 26’s main theme recorded by Auburn’s band
Auburn University’s marching band will be the official theme for College Football 26. The band was inspired by a Metallica-themed halftime show at a 2023 game. The new game will be released to the general public on July 10.
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When Auburn Tigers fans boot up College Football 26 this summer, they’ll be greeted by a sound they’ve heard before: their school’s marching band.
On Monday, the Auburn University marching band announced on Instagram that it had been selected to record the official main theme for the latest edition of the popular college football game.
Per the band’s Instagram post, developer Electronic Arts was inspired by AUMB’s halftime performance at a 2023 game between the Tigers and the Ole Miss Rebels, which featured a Metallica-themed light show.
“That’s right, the same folks at EA who saw our [Metallica] Light Show said ‘We need THAT energy,'” the post’s caption reads. “So they came to Auburn to capture it firsthand.”
Auburn’s band won the 2023 Metallica Marching Band contest.
College Football 26 will be released to the general public on July 10.
Auburn University Marching Band to headline EA Sports College Football 2026 soundtrack
EA Sports has tapped the Auburn band to perform the official main theme for EA Sports College Football 2026. It’s the first time a college marching band has recorded the game’s signature theme. EA Sports executives took notice of the AUMB’s viral Metallica light show performance.
EA Sports has tapped the Auburn band to perform the official main theme for EA Sports College Football 2026, marking the first time a college marching band has recorded the game’s signature theme.
The collaboration came after EA Sports executives took notice of the AUMB’s viral Metallica light show performance. That energy caught the attention of EA Sports Music President Steve Schnur, who helped bring the band into the studio.
“It was an honor to be chosen for such a high-profile opportunity, this project showcases the power and precision of college marching bands, and we’re proud Auburn is leading the way.”
Key contributors to the project include:
Kris Bowers, composer
Nick Spezia, recording engineer
Ward Miller, AUMB arranger
Aaron Locklear, Auburn instructor of percussion
Torsten Sales, EA Sports feature producer
The theme was recorded on campus in December, with organizations involved keeping the partnership under wraps until now.
Players will hear the sound of the AUMB every time they launch the game.
From halftime shows to headline tracks, Auburn is officially in the game.
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