EA Sports FC and Mobile Drive Growth as EA Prepares for Skate and Battlefield Launches

Electronic Arts (EA) reported a strong finish to its fiscal year 2025, with a notable resurgence in momentum for its flagship soccer franchise, EA Sports FC. After a temporary slowdown in the third quarter, EA reignited player engagement and net bookings through its largest-ever live service update launched in January, combined with active community outreach and the Team of the Year event. This strategic approach led to double-digit increases in player engagement and exceeded net booking expectations.

Mobile growth was a key driver, with EA Sports FC Mobile surpassing expectations due to hyperculturalization efforts and the launch of a dedicated web store. This web store allows EA to bypass traditional app store fees, enhancing revenue potential. The mobile game’s player acquisition and daily active users increased by over 20% year-over-year, supported by strategic partnerships such as the integration with Apple and Major League Soccer (MLS) for streaming and cross-platform fan engagement.

EA’s American football titles, including Madden NFL and College Football, also experienced significant growth, with hours played up 68% and net bookings exceeding $1 billion, a 70% increase year-over-year. Post-season content such as the NFL Draft helped maintain engagement beyond the traditional football season, demonstrating EA’s ability to sustain player interest year-round through timely, high-value content.

Beyond sports, EA’s entertainment portfolio showed strength with The Sims franchise achieving double-digit net booking growth in Q4, driven by new expansion packs and nostalgic content. The newly released IP, Split Fiction, exceeded sales expectations by selling four million copies, highlighting EA’s successful diversification strategy.

Looking ahead to fiscal year 2026, EA plans to launch two highly anticipated franchises: Skate and Battlefield. Skate is designed as a dynamic live service to foster community creativity and progression, with early access planned within the year. Battlefield is undergoing extensive player testing through Battlefield Labs, the franchise’s largest playtesting initiative, engaging hundreds of thousands of players to refine gameplay ahead of its global release.

EA is also investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate creativity and innovation. AI is being integrated to enhance game design, animation, and storytelling, enabling more immersive and personalized player experiences. This technology is seen as a key enabler for future interactive entertainment advancements.

Despite some softness in Apex Legends and certain live service segments, EA’s overall net bookings remained robust at $7.36 billion for FY25. The company’s resilience amid macroeconomic uncertainties is attributed to the enduring appeal of its major franchises and the intrinsic value of interactive entertainment as a fundamental human need.

EA’s strategic focus on live service updates, mobile expansion, AI integration, and community engagement positions it well to capitalize on evolving gaming trends. The upcoming launches of Skate and Battlefield are expected to further drive growth and deepen player connections, reinforcing EA’s leadership in the sports and entertainment gaming sectors.