EA Cancels F1 26, Will Deliver 2026 Season as Paid F1 25 Expansion

In a surprising announcement, EA has confirmed that there will not be a standalone F1 26 game. Instead, players will receive a paid downloadable expansion for F1 25, featuring the full 2026 Formula 1 season, including updated cars, teams, drivers, and the upcoming regulation changes. This marks an unusual shift in the franchise's annual release strategy, and it may be in order to take advantage of the good results of F1 25.

An unexpected turn for the series

EA describes this approach as a “strategic reset” for its F1 series. By integrating the 2026 season into F1 25 as premium content, the company can focus on developing a more ambitious and feature-rich next-generation game, slated for release in 2027. The expansion will not function as a standalone title, meaning ownership of F1 25 will be required to access the new season content.

The 2026 expansion promises to reflect all major real-world changes in the sport, including updated car designs, team line-ups, and sporting regulations. While EA has not yet provided a specific release date or pricing details for the DLC, they assure fans that more information will be revealed in the coming months.

Looking ahead, the next full installment, tentatively referred to as F1 27, is being positioned as a “reimagined” experience with new gameplay modes and expanded features. According to Codemasters’ Senior Creative Director Lee Mather, this approach is part of a multi-year plan to enhance the franchise and provide a more immersive Formula 1 experience.

The decision has sparked mixed reactions within the community. Some fans see it as a practical move to avoid a repetitive yearly release, while others are concerned about the growing trend of paid season updates replacing traditional game launches. Industry analysts suggest this may indicate a broader shift toward live-service models for sports games, allowing developers to extend the lifespan of existing titles.

In summary, F1 26 will not exist as a separate release. Instead, fans looking to experience the 2026 season will need to purchase the paid expansion for F1 25. EA's strategy reflects a deliberate pause in the annual game cycle, paving the way for a more ambitious and feature-packed F1 game in 2027. It's to be seen if this kind of change is positive for the fans of the franchise or nor. In any case, you can keep track of the best deals for F1 25 with our comparator if you want to dive into the most exciting F1 simulation.