The game is set to be released this September, with early access for some users by late August.
On Thursday, July 23, game publisher 2K officially announced the cover athletes for the upcoming NBA 2K27, which is the latest iteration of the NBA video game franchise developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K.
Confirmed for the cover of the Standard Edition is Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs Center who made history as the NBA’s first-ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year.
Meanwhile, selected for the Deluxe Edition is Indiana Fever Guard, 2024 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year, three-time WNBA All-Star starter, Caitlin Clark.
For the Ultra Edition, no less than Chicago Bulls legend, three-time NBA All-Star and the youngest MVP in NBA history, Derrick Rose, will be seen.
Explain their selection for the cover, Zak Armitage, senior vice president and general manager of NBA 2K, shared: “Victor Wembanyama, Caitlin Clark, and Derrick Rose each come from different worlds, but they share the same obsession that has altered the trajectory of the game.”
“Wembanyama has broken the mold for what a big man can be and keeps breaking it. Clark is pulling up from the logo, not just redefining what range looks like, but the women’s game entirely. And Rose changed what it meant to be a point guard – explosive, physical, unstoppable – and when faced with setbacks, his hunger for the game is what brought him back,” he continued.
Armitage also told that none of them have an “off switch,” which he says is the same relentless drive is what defines NBA 2K27.
Meanwhile, in his statement, Victor Wembanyama told, “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,” he added.
As for Caitlin Clark, “Being on the cover of NBA 2K27 is special because this game reaches fans all over the world.”
Noting the history she is making as the first WNBA player to get her own cover photo, she regarded that as “how women’s basketball gets to show up on that stage too,” which is something that she is proud to be part of.
Derrick Rose said it is “crazy” to look back how he was included on the NBA 2K13 cover and now having his own edition for NBA 2K27.
“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,” he also shared.
NBA 2K27 is set to launch on September 4 across PlayStation 5 (PS5), XBOX Series X|S, PC via Steam, and Nintendo Switch 2.
As flor Deluxe Edition or Ultra Edition owners, they will have Early Access starting Friday, August 28, 2026 at 9:00 AM (PDT).
According to the game publisher, the Standard Edition featuring Wembanyama costs PHP2,920 and will be available on the above-mentioned platforms.
As for the Deluxe Edition headlined by Clark, it will include 100,000 VC, with the online play requiring an Internet connection and NBA 2K Account. Console online play requiring a separate paid subscription.
There will also be MyCAREER content (25x 6 Types of Skill Boosts, 25x 3 Types of Gatorade Boosts, Victor Wembanyama Jersey, Caitlin Clark Jersey, and a 2HR 2XP Coin (MyCAREER)); and MyTEAM content (Full ’27: Series 1 Team Selection, Triple Threat Park Free Agent Pack, 5x ’27: Series 1 Packs, and a 2HR 2XP Coin (MyTEAM)).
And the Ultra Edition featuring Rose will have limited availability through September 6 and will cost PHP5,400.
It includes everything in the Deluxe Edition plus an additional 35,000 VC, a Season 1 Pro Pass. The NBA 2K27 Pro Passes and Hall of Fame passes are available for separate purchase and require base game, internet connection, and NBA 2K account.
As for paid premium passes, these can unlock additional rewards for the season that are earnable through gameplay. Progress and rewards reset at the end of each season. Availability restrictions apply.
In addition, there is also the Summer Season Pass Pro Pass Bundle (Seasons 7–9 Pro Pass, releasing in Summer 2027); the Roses Oversize Hoodie in MyCAREER; Premium SKU MyTEAM Player Cards, which includes a guaranteed 98 OVR card (December 2026) and a guaranteed Invincible card (May 2027).
NBA 2K26 players who pre-order NBA 2K27 Ultra Edition on the same platform will receive a 10% discount, with Loyalty Discount only available via the Platform Store through September 3, 2026. The Ultra Edition is also digital version only available on PS5, XBOX Series X|S & PC.
