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 during its fiscal year 2026, spanning 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 contributing to the project: DICE (Stockholm), responsible for multiplayer development; Motive, handling single-player missions and multiplayer maps; Ripple Effect, focused on attracting new players; and Criterion, working on the single-player campaign. These teams are currently in a crucial development phase, actively seeking player input through Battlefield Labs. Participation in Battlefield Labs requires signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

EA emphasized the importance of player feedback in refining core gameplay elements such as combat, destruction, weapons, vehicles, gadgets, maps, modes, and squad play, including the core Conquest and Breakthrough modes. The class system (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon) will also be refined for enhanced strategic depth. While Battlefield Labs will test various aspects, not all elements showcased will be fully implemented in the final game.

The development of the next Battlefield marks a significant investment for EA, involving four studios working concurrently. This follows the closure of Ridgeline Games, a studio previously working on a standalone single-player Battlefield title. The new game will return to a modern setting, a departure from the series' recent forays into World War I, World War II, and the near future. Concept art suggests the inclusion of ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, along with natural disasters like wildfires.

The return to a modern setting signifies a course correction following the mixed reception of Battlefield 2042. The new game will address criticisms of Battlefield 2042 by abandoning the Specialist system and reverting to 64-player maps. EA executives have expressed a commitment to regaining the trust of core Battlefield fans while also expanding the franchise's appeal to a wider audience. The development team aims to deliver a core Battlefield experience while introducing new features and experiences within the Battlefield universe.

EA has yet to reveal the launch platforms or the official title for the next Battlefield game.