According to Eurogamer.net, EA has confirmed that next year’s F1 World Championships won’t get a new standalone game but instead will be covered through a paid expansion for F1 25. This breaks from the annual release pattern that’s been standard since EA acquired Codemasters in 2021. Senior creative director Lee Mather called this move “part of a strategic reset for the F1 Franchise” and confirmed that 2027 will bring a completely new game that “looks, feels, and plays differently.” The announcement comes amid EA’s recent $55 billion private acquisition deal involving Saudi Arabia’s investment fund and follows earlier confirmation of role reductions at Codemasters. Interestingly, this shift happens despite the 2026 F1 season introducing major new regulations that typically would justify a full new game release.
The business behind the change
Here’s the thing – this isn’t just about giving developers more time. This is a fundamental shift in how EA approaches sports game monetization. Annual releases have been the cash cow for sports franchises forever, but player fatigue is real. How many times can you sell essentially the same game with roster updates? By switching to an expansion model for 2026, they’re testing whether they can maintain revenue while reducing development costs. And let’s be honest – they’re probably looking at what’s worked (and what hasn’t) with other live service games.
The irony of the timing
Now, the timing here is genuinely interesting. The 2026 F1 season is actually bringing massive regulatory changes – new power units, different aerodynamics, the whole package. These are the kinds of shifts that traditionally justify a full-price new game. Instead, players will get these changes through what sounds like DLC. Basically, EA and Codemasters are betting that their expansion can properly capture these sweeping changes without requiring a full game rebuild. That’s either incredibly confident or somewhat concerning for hardcore sim racers who want authentic representation of the new regulations.
The bigger EA picture
This F1 strategy shift doesn’t exist in a vacuum. EA confirmed earlier this year they were reducing roles at Codemasters and ended their World Rally Championship partnership. Then there’s that massive $55 billion private acquisition deal. When you step back, it looks like EA is streamlining its racing portfolio and reallocating resources. They’re clearly focusing on what works financially – and F1 has been performing well, with Mather calling F1 25 an “incredible success.” So while this expansion approach might disappoint some fans expecting a 2026 game, from a business perspective it makes sense to double down on your winners.
What this means for players
For the F1 gaming community, this could actually be good news long-term. The promise of a completely reimagined experience in 2027 suggests they’re working on something substantial rather than just annual incremental updates. The expansion model for 2026 might mean current F1 25 owners get to keep their progress and familiarity with the game while still experiencing the new season’s changes. But the big question remains: will the paid expansion feel like substantial new content or just a glorified roster update? Only time will tell if this “strategic reset” pays off for both EA and the players who fuel this franchise.
