Ok, so this news is kind of going almost under the radar as far as I’m seeing, often in place of Battlefield 6‘s latest update and the sky being blue. However, announced yesterday via Steam updates and via press release, EA SPORTS and developer Codemasters announced that F1 25 won’t see a full release sequel until 2027.

“Electronic Arts Inc. today confirmed plans for the future of the EA SPORTS F1 game series, the official games of the FIA Formula One World Championship™. Since launch, EA SPORTS F1 25 has received praise from players, media, content creators, F1 drivers[,] and more. Now looking forward, players in F1 25 will be able to expand their experience next year with the full 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship. Coming in 2026 as a paid expansion* to F1 25, the premium content update will align with the sport’s major changes for the 2026 season, bringing fans new cars, sporting regulations, teams, and drivers,” notes the press release.

PR-friendly, lawyer ick decoded: No F1 26 next July-August, but you’ll pay for an update to F1 25 with the new era of cars, new philosophy of design, and hopefully, unlike Hanoi, the new track to be added will actually see the light of day for the real thing and not just in-game. In theory, I don’t hate this idea, though I’m surprised this is the first time EA is doing this with any sports title. To some degree, this idea has been floated for years, mostly by yearly-release detractors, and I can’t wholly disagree with the point. However, it is EA; give ’em an inch, they’ll take a mile.

Senior Creative Director at Codemasters, Lee Mather, noted: “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 Steam post also notes something interesting in that not only is there a change in regulations, but we see an eleventh team join the grid. Presumably replacing APXGP – the film isn’t bad, could do without the romance, though. Not only does Sauber become Audi with the departure of Sauber completely, but a second American team joins with Cadillac-Ferrari. It is an interesting choice to take this next year “off” with a full release, but hopefully, this can result in a better, well-rounded, and fuller experience for F1 27 when it releases. I also hope EA doesn’t take the piss, make this paid expansion reasonably priced for the love of prancing horses.

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