Battlefield 2026: EA Confirms Next Installment

Electronic Arts (EA) announced today that the next installment in the Battlefield franchise is slated for release sometime during its fiscal year 2026, which runs from April 2025 to March 2026. This announcement accompanied the unveiling of Battlefield Labs, a new player testing initiative designed to gather feedback during the development process. A short pre-alpha gameplay video was also released.

Battlefield Labs will allow for player-driven testing and innovation across various aspects of the game. EA emphasized that while almost everything will be tested, not all elements will be fully realized at this stage. Participation requires signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). EA stated they are proud of the game's progress, even in its pre-alpha state, and that player feedback will be crucial in refining core gameplay elements. Testing will focus on core combat, destruction, weapons, vehicles, gadgets, maps, modes, and squad play, including core modes like Conquest and Breakthrough. Improvements to the class system (Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon) are also planned to enhance strategic gameplay.

The development of the new Battlefield is being spearheaded by Battlefield Studios, a collective of four EA studios: DICE (Stockholm), Motive (Montreal), Ripple Effect (U.S.), and Criterion (UK). DICE is leading multiplayer development, Motive is handling single-player missions and multiplayer maps, Ripple Effect is focused on attracting new players, and Criterion is working on the single-player campaign. EA described this phase of development as "critical."

This new Battlefield marks a return to a modern setting after the series' excursions into World War I, World War II, and the near future. Early concept art hinted at ship-to-ship and helicopter combat, as well as natural disaster elements like wildfires. Vince Zampella, Head of Respawn and Group GM for EA Studios Organization, cited Battlefield 3 and 4 as inspiration, aiming to recapture the series' peak performance while expanding its offerings to attract a wider audience. The game will abandon the Specialist system and the 128-player maps of Battlefield 2042, opting instead for the more traditional 64-player format.

EA CEO Andrew Wilson has described the project as one of EA's most ambitious endeavors. The significant investment and involvement of multiple studios underscore the high stakes involved in this new Battlefield title, following the less-than-stellar reception of Battlefield 2042. The Battlefield Studios team has stated their commitment to regaining the trust of core Battlefield players while also expanding the game's appeal to a broader audience. EA has not yet revealed the game's final title or launch platforms.