EA Sports has surprised the gaming world and Formula 1 fans by officially cancelling the standalone 2026 F1 game. Instead of releasing a new F1 26 title next year, EA Sports and its development studio, Codemasters, have announced a major shift in their F1 game strategy.
They will treat the current F1 25 game as a live platform, delivering the entire 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship season as a paid expansion or DLC (downloadable content) for F1 25, rather than creating a whole new game. This move marks a significant break from their traditional yearly game release cycle.
What Will The 2026 F1 Game Include?
The 2026 F1 game expansion will include all the new cars, teams, and sporting regulations that come with the 2026 F1 season, reflecting the big rules changes happening in the sport. This content update goes beyond a typical patch, being positioned as a premium upgrade to keep players engaged without forcing them to buy a completely new game. The approach allows the developers to focus on creating a ground-up revamp for the next full F1 game, which is now planned for release in 2027.
EA Sports Announces Major F1 Game Shakeup
According to Lee Mather, Codemasters’ Senior Creative Director, this change is part of a “strategic reset” for the franchise. “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,” he said.
“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,” he added.
Fans can expect the essential elements of the 2026 F1 season to be incorporated into this expansion, including new team rosters, driver line-ups, car designs, and the much-anticipated new Madrid street circuit. This approach is seen as a way to deliver the next season’s content with less disruption to players while ensuring the core game remains polished and high quality.
Though some players were initially shocked by the cancellation of F1 26, many have welcomed the news, appreciating the prospect of a better, more refined game in 2027 backed by more development time. EA’s official statements confirm that the franchise’s future is secure with ongoing support from Formula 1’s management and the teams themselves. Fans of both EA Sports and Formula 1 will have to be patient, but can look forward to a new era for their favourite racing game series.
Also read: Top 4 Worst Formula 1 Seasons For Drivers In History
