In a departure from its established annual release cycle, EA Sports will not launch a new standalone F1 game in 2026. Rather, the company announced it will release a paid expansion for the current F1 25 title, incorporating regulatory changes slated for the 2026 Formula 1 season. This marks the first break from yearly installments sence the studio acquired Codemasters four years ago, a move prompted by positive reception to F1 25 and meaningful forthcoming changes to the sport.
EA Sports is shifting its strategy for its Formula 1 game franchise, opting to forego a new standalone title next year in favor of a paid expansion for the existing F1 25. The decision marks a departure from the annual release cycle established after the acquisition of Codemasters four years ago.
Instead of launching F1 26, the company will release a downloadable content pack for F1 25 that incorporates the rule changes and new features planned for the 2026 Formula 1 season. This move comes after a positive reception to F1 25 from players, and reflects the significant changes coming to the sport in the next season, making a full game build less practical.
Lee Mather of Codemasters emphasized the studio’s continued commitment to the F1 series, stating, “Our multi-year plan extends this year’s excitement with the 2026 expansion and reshapes the F1 experience for 2027 to deliver even more for players at every level, worldwide.”
The timing of the expansion’s release is expected to align with the start of the 2026 Formula 1 season, which is scheduled to begin in Australia on March 8th. EA has not yet announced pricing details for the DLC. The next full-scale F1 game, built from the ground up to better reflect the modern era of the sport, is confirmed to be in development for a 2027 release.
EA Sports is deviating from its established release schedule for its Formula 1 racing simulation franchise. The company announced it will not release a new standalone F1 game in 2026, instead opting for a paid expansion to the current title, F1 25.
This decision follows positive player feedback on F1 25 and is strategically aligned with upcoming regulatory changes to the Formula 1 sport itself. According to EA, building upon the existing game provides a more efficient path to incorporating these updates. The move reflects a growing trend in the gaming industry of extending the lifecycle of existing titles through substantial downloadable content.
“Our multi-year plan extends this year’s excitement with the 2026 expansion and reshapes the F1 experience for 2027 to deliver even more for players at every level, worldwide,” said Lee Mather of Codemasters. This suggests a significant overhaul is planned for the 2027 release.
While EA has not yet disclosed the price or specific release date for the 2026 expansion, it’s anticipated to launch around March 8th, coinciding with the start of the 2026 Formula 1 season in Australia. Fans can expect a fully-fledged new F1 game in 2027, promising a complete rebuild designed to capture the nuances of the sport’s evolving landscape.
