The Incredible Figures Behind EA Sports' Net Revenue From Ultimate Team

The Ultimate Team game modes continue to rake in huge amounts of cash for EA Sports.

According to their financial reports, EA reported record numbers in the year 2020 and one specific game-mode was responsible for a good chunk of their earnings.

Across all sports franchise titles, including FIFA and Madden, EA generated a total of $1.49 billion through the Ultimate Team platform - a $120 million increase on 2019's revenue total of $1.37 billion.

This is the third straight fiscal year EA has collected over $1 billion in revenue from UT.

Overall, EA's revenue topped $5.5 billion with $2.7 billion of that generated from players spending money on in-game content or live services.

The gaming company's most recent financial results show that they had the highest quarterly net bookings in their entire history.

In a three month period leading up to December 31, revenues went up 5% to $1.67 billion and net bookings rose 19% to $2.4 billion, as per gamesindustry.biz.

What's more, EA estimates that live services, now driving the record-breaking numbers, will account for nearly 72% of its revenues by the time March rolls around.

Not only were there a record 6 million daily active players enjoying FIFA Ultimate Team in December, FIFA live services have grown at a compound annual growth rate of nearly 50%.

"We delivered another strong quarter, driven by live services outperformance in Ultimate Team and Apex Legends," EA COO and CFO Blake Jorgensen commented.

"We are raising our net bookings outlook for the full year on the strength we continue to see in our business."

The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly helped EA financially. In May, it was reported that FIFA made a staggering £186,215,940 in 66 days from when the United Kingdom's lockdown period started on 23 March.

With the country experiencing a total of three lockdowns, the numbers will no doubt have increased even further.

Ultimate Team allows players to spend real-life money on packs and there has been major debate as to whether the mode is classed as gambling, with EA even being hit with a lawsuit.

Topics: Football, EA Sports, FIFA 21, Ultimate Team

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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