EA Sports and FIFA have officially ended their partnership, it has been confirmed.
It has been rumoured for a while but in a statement on the official EA Sports website, Cam Weber, EVP, Group GM EA SPORTS & Racing, announced the monumental change for next year.
The game will be known as 'EA Sports FC' going forward, although will still retain exclusive licences and partnerships in the "exciting new era". More details will arrive in the summer.
The news brings an end to nearly 30 years of association between EA and FIFA, with the franchise rising to astronomical levels and seeing yearly editions manufactured, released and enjoyed by millions of players since FIFA 95.
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The likes of the Premier League, UEFA and Nike will still be linked to EA Sports' football game, with FIFA 23 the final release under its current iteration.
"This new independent platform will bring fresh opportunity – to innovate, create and evolve. This is much more than just a change of symbol - as EA SPORTS, we’re committed to ensuring EA SPORTS FC is a symbol of change," Weber said in an official statement.
"We’re dedicated to meaningfully reinvesting in the sport, and we’re excited to work with a large and increasing number of partners to expand to new authentic experiences that bring joy, inclusivity and immersion to a global community of fans. I look forward to sharing more detail on these plans in the coming months.
"EA SPORTS FC will allow us to realize this future and much more…but not before we deliver our most expansive game ever with our current naming rights partner, FIFA, for one more year. We are committed to ensuring the next FIFA is our best ever, with more features, game modes, World Cup content, clubs, leagues, competitions, and players than any FIFA title before.
"We’re incredibly excited to build the future of global football with all of you, and will be happy to share more info on EA SPORTS FC in Summer 2023.
"The future of the sport is very big and bright, and football fandom is reaching across every corner of the world. Global football has been part of EA SPORTS for nearly thirty years - and today, we’re ensuring that it will be for decades to come."
Previously Weber had said EA were reviewing their naming rights agreement with FIFA and the company filed trademarks in the UK and EU which hinted at the termination.
The most popular football video game in the world, EA have over 300 individual licence partners and as a result have access to more than 19,000 players and 700 teams, over 100 stadiums and 30 leagues, as well as the Champions League and Europa League competitions.
Josh Lawless