EA Sports F1 26 is officially not happening. Electronic Arts has confirmed that F1 25, a “commercial and critical success,” will instead receive a paid expansion next year, with new cars, teams, drivers and regulations.
This approach is considered part of a “strategic reset” for the Codemasters-developed franchise. Fans can expect a new title in 2027 that “looks, feels and plays differently” while offering “more gameplay choices,” seemingly answering longtime requests from fans. EA also promises a “refreshed experience” that “expands on what longtime players have loved from the franchise.”
Codemasters senior creative director Lee Mather said, “F1 25 has been an incredible success, fueled by the passion of fans and the energy of the sport. With Formula 1’s momentum on and off the track, now is the perfect time for us to look ahead and build for the future.
“We’re fully committed to the EA Sports F1 franchise. Our multi-year plan extends this year’s excitement with the 2026 expansion and reimagines the F1 experience for 2027 to deliver even more for players at every level around the world.”
The announcement comes in the wake of Electronic Arts’ acquisition by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners for $55 billion. Although the deal will be completed by the first quarter of fiscal year 2027 (i.e., by June 30, 2026), the publisher has already made significant changes. This includes partnering with Stability AI to “co-develop transformative AI models, tools, and workflows that empower our artists, designers, and developers to reimagine how content is built.”
How all of this will affect the next F1 remains to be seen. For more details on F1 25, check out our review. As EA notes, it’s currently in Season 4 with a new mode, Survival Challenge, available.
