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Another year, another NBA 2K game – this year, NBA 2K27 will hit PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC on September 4, with more expensive early access editions giving players the chance to hop in starting August 28. Ahead of the game’s launch, 2K has revealed the cover athlete stars alongside a roadmap to launch, so players know what to expect in the coming weeks.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, who was the NBA’s first-ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, will be on the cover of the Standard Edition of NBA 2K27; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, who was the 2024 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year and three-time WNBA All-Star starter, will be on the cover of the Deluxe Edition of NBA 2K27; and Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose, who was a three-time NBA All-Star player and the youngest MVP in NBA history, will be on the cover of the Ultra Edition of NBA 2K27.
You can check out all three NBA 2K27 covers below:
The Standard Edition will cost $69.99. The Deluxe Edition and Ultra Edition, both of which grant players early access to the game starting August 28, will cost $99.99 and $149.99, respectively. 2K says the Ultra Edition will be a “limited-time” offering available through September 6.
Alongside today’s cover athlete reveals, 2K has also released a roadmap to launch for NBA 2K27. Check it out in the image below:
- July 28: Gameplay Trailer
- August 10: 2K Beats Soundtrack
- August 13: Apparel Brand Spotlight
- August 18: There’s no word on what’s happening on this day, but various posters in the image above say to “tune in.”
- August 28: Early Access
- September 4: Official Launch
As part of today’s reveals, each of the cover athletes shared their thoughts on being on the cover:
- Victor Wembanyama: “When you’re truly obsessed with basketball, the game doesn’t stop when you leave the arena. NBA 2K is the court that never locks up, it’s always open whether you’re in Paris or San Antonio. It’s how you study the game, sharpen your IQ, and live basketball 24/7. To be the face of a game that fuels that hunger for hoops and whose covers immortalize the all-time greats; that’s a dream come true for me.”
- Caitlin Clark: “Being on the cover of NBA 2K27 is special because this game reaches fans all over the world. To be the first WNBA player on her own global cover means women’s basketball gets to show up on that stage too, and I am proud to be part of that.”
- Derrick Rose: “It’s crazy looking back at being on the NBA 2K13 cover to now having my own edition for NBA2K27. During my journey, there have been coaches who believed in me, teammates who made me better, and fans who showed up louder than I ever expected. So, this is a chance to inspire young athletes to stay obsessed with the game. To show them that when you put in the countless hours of hard work, it rewards you.”
NBA 2K27 launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC on September 4.
In the meantime, read Game Informer’s NBA 2K26 review.
Which cover athlete are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below!
