Electronic Arts (EA) released its fourth-quarter and fiscal-year 2025 earnings report on Tuesday, offering a comprehensive view of the company’s expansive gaming portfolio. While EA’s reach spans far beyond esports, The Esports Advocate focuses on the key titles and performance metrics most relevant to the esports sector, providing insights into how these franchises are shaping EA’s financial trajectory and its place within the competitive gaming landscape.
A Strong Finish from EA Sports FC and Madden
EA’s American football franchise, encompassing Madden NFL and College Football, continues to exceed expectations. The company reported that this segment reached over $1 billion USD in net bookings for FY25, underscoring the growing commercial appeal of the franchise.
Meanwhile, EA SPORTS FC, the company’s flagship soccer title, demonstrated robust engagement throughout the fiscal year, particularly in the fourth quarter. EA attributed this growth to mid-January gameplay updates, which saw player monetization increase by double digits. Alongside Apex Legends, EA SPORTS FC will mark the two esports titles from EA’s portfolio represented in the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between July and August.
Apex Legends Faces Headwinds Amid Competitive Landscape
While EA celebrates success in its football and American football franchises, Apex Legends—its marquee battle royale title—is experiencing headwinds in the competitive landscape. In the earnings call, CEO Andrew Wilson acknowledged that the game could face an estimated 5-point decline in net bookings for FY26. This decline is largely due to the evolving competitive environment, including increased competition from other battle royale titles and the company’s ongoing strategy of prioritizing long-term sustainability over short-term growth.
Despite these anticipated challenges, Apex Legends remains a major player in esports, continuing to attract large audiences. The Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS), which recently saw a significant viewership spike to over 540,000 during its Year 4 Championship, is set to feature a $2 million prize pool at the Esports World Cup 2025, further solidifying its position within the competitive gaming ecosystem.
F1 Esports Shows Steady Growth, but Uncertainty Looms
The F1 games, developed by Codemasters and published by EA, continue to be a fixture in both mainstream gaming and esports. While EA did not provide specific financial figures for the F1 franchise in its FY25 earnings report, it remains an important player in the esports space, with the F1 Esports Series maintaining a dedicated following. With F1 25 slated for release later this month, EA’s partnership with Formula 1 has sustained momentum.
However, uncertainty surrounds the future of this relationship, as the exclusive game development license between EA/Codemasters and Formula 1 is set to expire at the end of 2025. The current deal is based on a long-term extension signed in 2019, with the option for another extension over two additional years based on the achievement of undisclosed performance thresholds.
Looking Ahead: A Cautious but Optimistic Future
As EA moves into fiscal year 2026, it is clear that while certain franchises like Apex Legends are facing challenges, others, such as EA SPORTS FC and Madden NFL, are poised to continue their growth trajectory. The company’s broader esports efforts, such as the expansion of live services and the push for increased player engagement across its titles, remain crucial to its long-term strategy.
For investors and esports stakeholders, the outlook is a blend of caution and optimism. EA’s net bookings for FY25 totaled $7.37 billion, slightly surpassing expectations, and the company projects a slight dip in net bookings for FY26 due to the headwinds in Apex Legends and its catalog titles. Still, the anticipated launch of Battlefield in FY26, alongside the continuation of its successful sports franchises, offers a hopeful path forward.