F1 Game Shock: Codemasters and EA Break Longstanding Tradition for 2026 Season

EA Sports and Codemasters are making a significant departure from their 17-year tradition, opting out of a standalone F1 26 game. Instead, the 2026 season's content will be released as a paid update for F1 25, a decision that comes as the sport prepares for major rule changes.

Why it matters:

This shift marks the end of an era for F1 gaming fans, who have come to expect a new, full-fledged title annually since 2009. The decision to release F1 26 as an expansion, rather than a new game, is particularly notable given the extensive regulatory, aerodynamic, and power unit changes slated for the 2026 Formula 1 season. This could impact how players experience the new era of F1 racing in the virtual world.

The details:

• End of a Tradition: For the first time in 17 years, EA and Codemasters will not release a standalone F1 game for the 2026 season. Since 2009, a new game has consistently launched alongside each F1 season.
• Paid Expansion: F1 26 will be delivered as a paid update or expansion for F1 25. This means players will need to own F1 25 to access the 2026 season content.
• Timing of Real-World Changes: The actual 2026 F1 cars and their new concepts are not set to be officially unveiled until January 2026. This gives developers a tight timeline to accurately implement the new rules, aerodynamics, and power units into a game.
• Development Challenges: The ambitious task of recreating entirely new F1 car designs and rulesets within a compressed development cycle is a likely reason for this strategic change. It suggests that a full, new game would not have met quality expectations under these constraints.
• Focus on F1 27: EA has indicated that F1 27 will "mark the beginning of a new and more comprehensive F1 experience," suggesting that the development resources saved in 2026 will be channeled into making F1 27 a significant overhaul.

Between the lines:

While EA officially highlights the success of F1 25 and aims to continue its momentum with fresh content, the decision to pivot to an expansion for 2026 likely reflects the immense challenge of integrating entirely new regulations into a game within a short timeframe. It's a pragmatic move to avoid rushing a potentially underdeveloped new title, especially when the real-world cars themselves won't be seen until early 2026.

What's next:

Fans can anticipate a content refresh for F1 25 to cover the 2026 season, followed by a completely new game in 2027. This strategy suggests that EA and Codemasters are betting on a more substantial and polished release for F1 27, which will fully embrace the new era of Formula 1 regulations with a dedicated, ground-up development cycle.