EA Says Next Battlefield Is 'Expected' Fiscal Year 2026

Electronic Arts (EA) announced today that the next installment in the Battlefield franchise is slated for release within its fiscal year 2026, spanning from April 2025 to March 2026. This announcement accompanied the unveiling of Battlefield Labs, a new player testing initiative designed to gather feedback and shape the game's development. A short pre-alpha gameplay video was released as part of this announcement.

EA also introduced Battlefield Studios, a collective of four studios collaborating on the project: DICE (Stockholm), responsible for multiplayer development; Motive, contributing to single-player missions and multiplayer maps; Ripple Effect, focused on attracting new players; and Criterion, handling the single-player campaign. These studios are currently in a crucial development phase, actively seeking player input to refine core gameplay elements. Battlefield Labs will facilitate this feedback process, testing various aspects of the game, including core combat, destruction, weapons, vehicles, gadgets, maps, modes, and squad play. Conquest and Breakthrough modes are confirmed to be included and the class system (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon) will be refined for deeper strategic gameplay. Participants in Battlefield Labs will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

EA emphasized its commitment to the project, highlighting the "critical" development phase and the importance of player feedback. The company acknowledged the need to recapture the essence of earlier, highly-regarded Battlefield titles, referencing the Battlefield 3 and 4 era as a benchmark for quality. The new game will return to a modern setting, incorporating elements such as ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, and natural disasters like wildfires. The game will feature 64 players per map, abandoning the 128-player maps and Specialist system of Battlefield 2042.

EA's investment in the next Battlefield is substantial, involving four studios and representing one of the company's most ambitious projects. The goal is not only to regain the trust of existing fans but also to expand the Battlefield universe and attract new players with diverse gameplay experiences. While platforms and the official title remain unannounced, the project’s scale and EA’s commitment suggest a significant effort to deliver a successful return to form for the franchise.