Electronic Arts and Codemasters have confirmed a surprisingly significant shift in their usual Formula 1 game release schedule. After years of predictable annual launches, the studios announced that there will be no standalone F1 26 game next year. Instead, players will see a substantial paid expansion for F1 25 that introduces the entire 2026 Formula 1 season. The move seems to set the stage for a fresh start with what EA is calling a reimagined title planned for 2027. I think many fans might have seen something like this coming, though perhaps not quite in this form.
Key Takeaways
- No F1 26 Game: EA Sports will not release a standalone Formula 1 video game in 2026.
- Paid Expansion: The 2026 Formula 1 season will arrive as a premium downloadable content (DLC) update for F1 25.
- New Title in 2027: A fully reimagined F1 game is scheduled for release in 2027.
- Reason for Change: The decision aligns with massive real-world F1 rule changes in 2026 and allows developers more time to overhaul the game engine.
The announcement almost feels like a small pause, the kind developers rarely take in sports franchises, especially considering how consistent the yearly cadence has been. But it also makes sense when looking at what the real-world sport is preparing for.
The 2026 Season Expansion
Owners of F1 25 won’t be left behind once the new FIA Formula One World Championship season begins. EA Sports is preparing what it describes as a premium content update in 2026. It sounds like a fairly sizable expansion that folds the full 2026 season into the existing game, rather than pushing players toward a completely new title.
The update is set to include several key elements:
New Teams and Drivers: Updated rosters that match the 2026 grid, something fans tend to look forward to each year.
2026 Cars: New models shaped around the next generation of Formula 1 design, which is undergoing a pretty dramatic shift.
New Regulations: Implementation of the updated sporting rules scheduled to take effect in 2026.
Lee Mather, Senior Creative Director at Codemasters, explained that this direction allows the team to keep supporting F1 25 while still looking ahead to what comes next. Interestingly, this is the first time since 2009 that Codemasters will skip a traditional yearly release. When you think about it, that’s quite a long streak to break.
Why Skip 2026?
The decision seems closely connected to the sweeping technical changes coming to the sport itself. The 2026 Formula 1 season brings in major regulation updates, including new power units that rely more heavily on electrical energy and the introduction of active aerodynamics. Accurately simulating these systems is no small feat, and perhaps the team felt that squeezing this into a tight yearly development cycle would risk cutting corners.
By stepping back for a year, the developers effectively gain a two-year window to work on the next big installment. This longer cycle should help them move beyond incremental updates and develop something that takes better advantage of current gaming hardware. I imagine many players have quietly hoped for a break like this, especially as conversations about innovation versus iteration have been going on for a while.
A Reimagined Experience in 2027
The 2027 release is being described as a strategic reset, which is a phrase that invites a bit of curiosity. EA Sports suggests the next game will look, feel, and play differently from what fans are used to. That hints at a broader, more ambitious approach, possibly with new ways for players to engage with the sport. There’s a sense that the studio wants to shake free from the limits of yearly development and try something a little bolder.
Some industry observers have already noted that annual sports games often struggle to introduce meaningful leaps forward. A break in the cycle could be exactly what the developers need to refine the engine, improve physics, and push the overall experience into fresher territory. It’s hard to say for sure, but there’s a certain logic to it.
Community Reaction
The initial reaction among players has been mixed, though there’s a general tone of understanding. A few fans seem disappointed that there won’t be a new standalone release in 2026, if only for the tradition of it. But a lot of players, especially those active on Reddit and X, have been asking for this kind of pause for years. Many feel the series needs time to address deeper issues instead of leaning on yearly updates that sometimes feel incremental.
In a way, this shift speaks to the evolving expectations of the community. Perhaps it also reflects a desire for quality over routine. Whatever the case, the next couple of years should be interesting for both the franchise and its fans.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Will I need to buy a new game to play the 2026 season?
A. No, you will not need a new standalone game disc. However, you will need to own F1 25 and purchase the 2026 season expansion pack.
Q. How much will the F1 25 2026 expansion cost?
A. EA Sports has not yet announced the specific price for the expansion. It is described as a “premium” update, which suggests it will cost money, unlike a standard free patch.
Q. Why is EA skipping the F1 26 game?
A. They are skipping it to give the developers at Codemasters more time to build a completely new game engine and experience for 2027, while also dealing with the complex real-world F1 rule changes happening in 2026.
Q. Will the 2026 update include the new engine regulations?
A. Yes, the expansion will feature the new 2026 technical regulations, which include updated car designs, active aerodynamics, and new engine power unit specs.
Q. When is the F1 27 game coming out?
A. The next full standalone game, tentatively called F1 27, is scheduled for release in 2027.
