After years of speculation, the next Battlefield game is nearly ready for release. With the first official reveal of gameplay for the next Battlefield game teased, EA has officially kicked off the hype cycle for the next entry in its first-person shooter franchise. This new game will be an exciting proposition for longtime fans who have not received a new entry in the series since 2021’s Battlefield 2042.
With insight into this new entry just around the corner, question marks have arisen about when the next Battlefield game will be released. EA has given a broad release window for the new title, as it is expected to be released sometime within the 2026 fiscal year, meaning anytime from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. Even though it would be challenging to pin down the game’s exact day of release, fans can expect this new title to appear sooner rather than later.
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Battlefield 6 May Be Ready For The Holiday Season
Battlefield’s Past History Indicates A Holiday Release
Considering the franchise’s usual release history, the next Battlefield game can be reasonably expected to be released during the fourth quarter of 2025. Since the release of 2011’s Battlefield 3, mainline entries in the franchise have typically been released in either October or November. This sets them up for the Holiday season rush, making them an even more attractive buy for customers.
Should the pattern hold up, the next Battlefield game will be one of the biggest games of the 2025 holiday season. Considering the franchise’s pedigree and the years-long wait for another entry, there’s a built-up anticipation for the Battlefield series to make a return. With EA also hoping to make the next entry the biggest in the franchise, a late-year release will no doubt make it a hugely in-demand game for the Holiday season.
Battlefield Should Be Good If Grand Theft Auto 6 Doesn’t Get In The Way
Of course, the publisher has already raised the possibility that Battlefield’s new game could be delayed. EA CEO Andrew Wilson has outwardly noted that the publisher is planning to do everything in its power to release the game in a timeframe that will allow it to stand out, which could mean a change of plans somewhere down the line. He attributed this to 2025 being a “nuanced year” for game releases, considering the level of competition in the market.
It’s easy to read between the lines and see what Wilson is saying here; Battlefield could see a delay to avoid competition with Grand Theft Auto 6. The latter title has been one of the most anticipated games in recent memory, and it appears that it will finally be released in 2025. Considering the incomparable popularity of Grand Theft Auto 5 and the decade of anticipation for this new game, any title going against a new Grand Theft Auto is throwing itself into the lion’s pit. As such, while Battlefield could take its usual approach of being an end-of-year release, it will undoubtedly want to release months before or after the new GTA – meaning that if Grand Theft Auto 6 wants the holiday slot, Battlefield could move into 2026, or even a bit earlier into 2025 than expected.
With EA also hoping to make the next entry the biggest in the franchise, a late-year release will no doubt make it a hugely in-demand game for the Holiday season.
No Matter When It Drops, Battlefield 6 Will Need To Focus On Polish
The next Battlefield game could also see a delay to help it achieve a certain level of polish. Several of the recent entries in the franchise have launched in very unpolished states, which has left a sour taste in the mouths of players who spend their hard-earned money on these products. As a result, it would be in EA’s best interest to give the next Battlefield game enough time in the kitchen to allow it to stand out.
Even so, it’s not out of the realm of possibility for the next Battlefield game to release late this year. EA has taken its time putting this new game together, and it would fit within the franchise’s tradition to have it out for the Holiday season. As long as it’s polished to a strong degree – and the behemoth that is Grand Theft Auto 6 doesn’t cannibalize it – the next Battlefield title should be one of the biggest titles for gamers to look forward to in the back-end of this year.
Battlefield 2042 is a first-person shooter that marks the return to the iconic all-out warfare of the franchise. With the help of a cutting-edge arsenal, engage in intense, immersive multiplayer battles.
Lead your team to victory in both large all-out warfare and close-quarters combat on maps from the world of 2042 and classic Battlefield titles. Find your playstyle in class-based gameplay and take on several experiences comprising elevated versions of Conquest and Breakthrough. Explore Battlefield Portal, a platform where players can discover, create, and share unexpected battles from Battlefield’s past and present.
This game includes optional in-game purchases of virtual currency that can be used to acquire virtual in-game items.
- Released
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November 19, 2021
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood, Strong Language, Violence
- Publisher(s)
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Electronic Arts