EA Announces Next Battlefield Game Set for Fiscal Year 2026

The next installment in the iconic Battlefield series is set to launch during EA's fiscal year 2026, which spans from April 2025 to March 2026. This announcement came as part of EA's financial results for the third quarter of its current fiscal year, ending March 2025. Alongside this news, EA provided a first official look at the new Battlefield game, showcasing pre-alpha gameplay footage as part of an announcement about player testing and the development setup.

EA introduced Battlefield Labs, a new initiative designed to foster player-driven testing and innovation. This move is part of the company's strategy to refine the game ahead of its expected fiscal year 2026 release. The brief glimpse into the game's development was accompanied by a call for playtesters, signaling EA's commitment to incorporating player feedback into the game's evolution.

The development of the new Battlefield is being spearheaded by Battlefield Studios, an umbrella term for the four studios involved: DICE in Stockholm, Sweden, focusing on multiplayer; Motive, known for the Dead Space remake and Star Wars: Squadrons, handling single-player missions and multiplayer maps; Ripple Effect, formerly DICE LA, tasked with bringing new players into the franchise; and Criterion, previously focused on Need For Speed, now working on the single-player campaign.

EA emphasized that the Battlefield Studios teams are entering a critical phase of the development cycle. They are eager to gather player feedback to prioritize, improve, and refine the game before its release. Participants in Battlefield Labs will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to ensure the confidentiality of the testing process.

Despite being in the pre-alpha stage, EA expressed pride in the game's current state and highlighted the importance of player feedback in enhancing the game's core elements, such as combat and destruction. The testing will cover essential gameplay pillars, including weapons, vehicles, gadgets, maps, modes, and squad play. EA also confirmed that classic modes like Conquest and Breakthrough will be tested, alongside exploring new ideas and refining the class system to enhance strategic gameplay.

It's important to note that while EA is dedicating significant resources to the new Battlefield, it recently shut down Ridgeline Games, which was developing a standalone single-player Battlefield game. This decision underscores the company's focus on the mainline series.

In September, EA shared additional details and concept art for the untitled Battlefield game, confirming a return to a modern setting after previous entries set in World War I, World War II, and the near future. The concept art hinted at ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, as well as natural disasters like wildfires. Vince Zampella, Head of Respawn & Group GM for EA Studios Organization, emphasized the importance of returning to the core elements that defined the series during the Battlefield 3 and 4 era, which he considers the pinnacle of the franchise.

The next Battlefield aims to correct the course after the mixed reception of Battlefield 2042, which faced criticism for its Specialists and 128-player maps. The upcoming game will revert to 64-player maps and abandon the Specialists system, focusing on a more traditional Battlefield experience. EA CEO Andrew Wilson described the project as one of the "most ambitious projects in [EA's] history," reflecting the significant investment and high expectations for the game.

Vince Zampella reiterated EA's commitment to expanding the Battlefield universe, aiming to regain the trust of core players while attracting new audiences. The goal is to offer a diverse range of experiences within the Battlefield universe, ensuring players don't need to leave the franchise to find different gameplay styles.

As of now, EA has not announced the launch platforms or the final title for the new Battlefield game.