EA Sports and Fifa have let their partnership expire. The Fifa franchise will now be known as EA Sports FC.
The announcement comes from a press release on the EA website. EA Sports FC still has the backing of major players in the sport. Premier League, LaLiga, UEFA, Bundesliga, CONMEBOL, and Nike all commented on the franchise’s future.
“Alongside our 300+ license partners across the sport, we’re ready to take global football experiences to new heights, on behalf of all football fans around the world,” said Cam Weber, EVP, Group GM EA Sports & Racing.
The press release states that “everything you love about our games” will still be in EA Sports FC. The only thing that appears to be changing is the game’s name. Ultimate Team, Career Mode, VOLTA Football, and Pro Clubs will remain. The same can be said for licensing rights to 19,000 players, 700 teams, 100 stadiums, and thirty leagues. Premier League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, Serie A, and the MLS were all mentioned specifically, with more announcements soon.
Regarding the future of EA Sports and the football sport, Weber continues. “This new independent platform will bring fresh opportunity – to innovate, create and evolve. This is much more than just a change of symbol – as EA SPORTS, we’re committed to ensuring EA SPORTS FC is a symbol of change. We’re dedicated to meaningfully reinvesting in the sport, and we’re excited to work with a large and increasing number of partners to expand to new authentic experiences that bring joy, inclusivity and immersion to a global community of fans.”
More information regarding EA Sports FC is expected in the summer of 2023.
When it comes to the future of the Fifa brand specifically, don’t expect much on that front. While the rights for Fifa and the World Cup are up for grabs, EA still has the players, teams, stadiums, and leagues on lock.
