Stories explained

Why EA's football series changed from FIFA to EA SPORTS FC

EA announced in May 2022 that its series would continue under the EA SPORTS FC name after FIFA 23. Ending the naming partnership did not mean ending EA's football games.

An original NewsCubby historical explainer. Event dates appear in the article; this is not a breaking-news announcement.

The series continued under another name

EA's May 10, 2022 announcement described EA SPORTS FC as the next chapter for its football games, following that year's FIFA release. It emphasized continued relationships with football leagues, clubs and competitions. The separation concerned the FIFA branding partnership, rather than a decision to abandon football simulation games altogether.

Source [1]

Licenses are not one single permission

EA's separate Inter Milan update explained that a marketing partnership could end while an in-game licensing agreement remained. Club identity, player likenesses and competition rights can involve different arrangements. Losing or changing one brand name therefore does not automatically remove every team, stadium or player.

For a buyer, the practical questions are the specific game edition, supported platform and licensed content actually included. Do not assume every annual release is identical because the title changes, or that every advertised feature carries over forever. The related offside guide concerns FIFA's real-world match technology, a separate use of the organization's name.

Source [2]

Sources and further reading

  1. EA — Welcome to the Club: EA SPORTS FC, May 10, 2022 ↗
  2. EA — Inter Milan marketing partnership update, May 31, 2022 ↗