Battlefield's Next Chapter Anticipated in 2026

EA's Next Battlefield Game: A Return to Roots

Electronic Arts (EA) announced today that the next installment in the Battlefield franchise is slated for release within its fiscal year 2026, spanning April 2025 to March 2026. This follows the release of a pre-alpha gameplay sneak peek, showcasing the new Battlefield and introducing "Battlefield Labs," a player-driven testing initiative designed to gather feedback and refine the game before launch.

Development is being spearheaded by Battlefield Studios, a collaborative effort uniting four EA studios: DICE (multiplayer), Motive (single-player and multiplayer maps), Ripple Effect (new player acquisition), and Criterion (single-player campaign). This marks a significant investment, with EA emphasizing a "critical" development phase heavily reliant on player feedback. Battlefield Labs will test core gameplay elements, including combat, destruction, weapons, vehicles, and class systems, with a focus on Conquest and Breakthrough modes. The testing will also explore new ideas and refine existing features.

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. Concept art hints at naval and air combat alongside natural disaster elements. The decision reflects a response to the criticism leveled at Battlefield 2042, particularly regarding its Specialist system and large-scale maps. The new game will revert to 64-player maps and eliminate Specialists.

EA CEO Andrew Wilson has described the project as one of EA's most ambitious undertakings. Vince Zampella, Head of Respawn and Group GM for EA Studios Organization, has emphasized a return to the core Battlefield experience reminiscent of Battlefield 3 and 4, while simultaneously expanding the franchise's offerings to attract a broader player base.

While launch platforms and the official title remain unannounced, the considerable investment and collaborative development effort suggest a major push to revitalize the Battlefield franchise after the setbacks of Battlefield 2042.