EA SPORTS FC 26 Expands Global Reach with Major New Partnerships and Stadium Additions

FC Bayern, English FA join growing roster as game adds 20,000+ athletes across 750+ clubs and 35+ leagues

Redwood City, CA — Electronic Arts has unveiled an ambitious expansion of EA SPORTS FC 26’s global footprint, announcing major new partnerships and licensing agreements that will bring unprecedented authenticity to the world’s most popular football video game franchise. The latest edition promises to deliver over 20,000 athletes across 750+ clubs and national teams, supported by more than 300 global football partners.

Marquee Partnership Additions

The headline addition comes through a new multi-year partnership with German giants FC Bayern Munich, bringing one of football’s most storied clubs into the EA SPORTS FC ecosystem. The agreement includes licensing for both the men’s and women’s teams, along with the iconic Allianz Arena stadium.

“Passion, commitment, and emotion are the hallmarks of football, both on the pitch and in the virtual world – and the gaming community is growing with every move,” said Michael Diederich, Executive Vice Chairman of FC Bayern. “We at FC Bayern are all excited to share these attributes with our new partner EA SPORTS FC. Together, we want to further expand our interaction with the next generation of football fans: on the pitch and on the game console.”

The partnership with the English FA represents another significant coup, featuring renewed licensing agreements with both the reigning UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 champions and the men’s national team, strengthening EA’s commitment to representing football at the highest international level.

Stadium Authenticity Reaches New Heights

Community feedback has driven EA’s stadium selection process, with several long-requested venues finally making their debut. The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona joins the lineup, giving Napoli fans and supporters worldwide access to one of football’s most atmospheric venues.

Additional iconic stadiums include the Allianz Arena (FC Bayern), Tüpraş Stadyumu (Beşiktaş), and a collection of newly constructed venues such as Hill Dickinson Stadium (Everton), Holstein-Stadion (Holstein Kiel), and Son Moix Stadium (RCD Mallorca). The total stadium count reaches 120+, providing unprecedented venue diversity.

Women’s Football Takes Center Stage

EA SPORTS FC 26 significantly expands its women’s football representation, reflecting the sport’s explosive global growth. Renewed licensing agreements include the Barclays Women’s Super League, Arkema Première Ligue, UEFA Women’s Champions League, and UEFA Women’s EURO.

New club additions, such as Chelsea Women and FC Bayern Women, join established partners like OL Lyonnais, creating a comprehensive ecosystem for women’s football gaming.

“The power of EA SPORTS FC and its utopian world of football has brought the BWSL, our clubs, and our players to a whole new audience,” explained Zarah Al Kudcy, Chief Revenue Officer of the Barclays Women’s Super League. “Our league and our clubs are already one of the most played in women’s football within the game, and we are excited to keep building together.”

Community-Driven Development

EA’s approach to FC 26 emphasizes community feedback as a driving force behind new additions and improvements. This philosophy has guided everything from stadium selection to league partnerships, ensuring the game reflects what players actually want to experience.

“Everything we’ve added to FC 26 has been shaped by the voices of our community,” said James Taylor, Director of Football Partnerships at EA SPORTS FC. “From the return of iconic stadiums and clubs fans have called for, to expanding representation in women’s football at the highest level — every new addition reflects our commitment to authenticity and to celebrating the incredible diversity of the world’s game.”

Global League Expansion

The partnership renewals and new additions span multiple continents, including agreements with Atletico Madrid, River Plate, Racing Club, Scottish Premier League, and Belgian Pro League. This global approach ensures players can experience authentic football culture from around the world, whether managing European giants or South American powerhouses.

Release Timeline and Platform Availability

EA SPORTS FC 26 will launch worldwide on September 26, 2025, across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Amazon Luna, Nintendo Switch, and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Early access through the Ultimate Edition begins September 19, 2025. PRE-ORDER EA SPORTS FC 26 TODAY

EA Play members receive additional benefits, including a 10-hour early access trial starting September 19, seasonal Ultimate Team Draft Tokens, and 10% discounts on EA digital content.

Industry Impact

The expansion represents EA’s continued investment in football gaming authenticity, responding to growing global interest in both men’s and women’s football. With over $7.5 billion in fiscal year 2025 revenue, EA’s commitment to expanding FC 26’s global partnerships demonstrates the franchise’s importance to the company’s overall strategy.

The emphasis on women’s football particularly reflects changing industry dynamics, as increased visibility and investment in women’s sports create new opportunities for authentic representation in gaming.

Looking Forward

As EA SPORTS FC 26 prepares for its September launch, the expanded partnerships and stadium additions position the franchise to maintain its dominance in football gaming while pushing boundaries for authenticity and global representation. The community-driven approach suggests future editions will continue evolving based on player feedback and the ever-changing landscape of world football.

EA News:

• EA’s ‘Skate.’ Returns After 14-Year Hiatus with September 16 Early Access Launch
• EA SPORTS FC 26 Unveils Star-Studded ICON Class Featuring Zlatan, Morgan, and Legendary Players
• EA SPORTS FC 26 Unveils Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala as Cover Stars
• EA SPORTS College Football 26 Launches Worldwide: Saturday

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“This exclusive EA SPORTS FC 26 coverage is brought to you by Bad Dawg Sports — your insider source for gaming and sports convergence stories. From virtual stadiums to real-world partnerships, we deliver the analysis that connects digital and physical sports culture.

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