F1 25 will receive paid expansion to make up for lack of F1 26, EA confirms
Electronic Arts will skip a full F1 26 release and instead deliver a paid F1 25 expansion covering the 2026 season as part of a major franchise reset.
Electronic Arts has confirmed that F1 25 will receive a premium paid expansion to cover the 2026 Formula One season, replacing the franchise’s traditional annual sequel for the first time.
The publisher announced the shift as part of what it calls a “strategic reset” for the racing series, marking a break from the yearly release cycle Codemasters has followed since EA acquired the studio in 2021.
Instead of launching F1 26, players will receive a substantial expansion for F1 25 that introduces the sport’s major 2026 changes - including new cars, revised regulations, updated teams, and refreshed driver rosters.
Lee Mather, senior creative director at Codemasters, said F1 25’s success and Formula 1’s rising global momentum made this “the perfect time to look ahead and build for the future”.
He reaffirmed that the studio remains “fully committed” to the franchise, outlining a multi-year plan that includes a completely new F1 game in 2027 that “looks, feels, and plays differently,” with expanded gameplay options and a broader vision of the sport.
The decision comes during a period of transition for Codemasters.
Earlier this year, EA confirmed layoffs within the studio and ended its partnership with the World Rally Championship - cost-cutting moves attributed to a wider corporate refocus.
EA itself is in the midst of a $55 billion private acquisition deal led by outside investors, including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Skipping a 2026 standalone release is particularly notable given that the real-world F1 season will feature sweeping regulation changes, which fans typically expect to see reflected in a fresh annual game.
Codemasters has said the expansion will capture these updates “in authentic detail,” aiming to bridge the gap before the 2027 relaunch.
F1 25 is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with its 2026 expansion scheduled for next year.
