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EA Sports' FIFA Franchise Faces Licensing Crossroads

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, December 20th 2025 at 6:47 GMT by The Mirror

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EA Sports’ “FIFA” Series Faces a Licensing Crossroads – What It Could Mean for Football Gamers

For nearly three decades, EA Sports’ FIFA franchise has been the gold standard for football simulation on home consoles and PC. Every year, fans anticipate the next iteration of the series with the same excitement that players once held for the launch of FIFA 97 and the “New Generation” release that re‑imagined the series in 2009. But as the end of the current licensing agreement draws near, the very brand that has defined EA’s football lineup could be on the verge of a dramatic shift.

The Mirror article “FIFA could be the next EA Sports title to go after a rival or lose its licence” digs into the swirling rumours that the licensing deal between EA and FIFA—the world governing body of association football—might not be renewed, or might be restructured in a way that would leave EA’s flagship franchise in limbo.

The Licence that Has Been an Industry Staple

The licence agreement in place was originally negotiated in the early 2000s and has been extended a handful of times. According to a 2023 press release from EA Sports, the current contract runs through the end of the 2025 season, after which the FIFA brand will be up for tender. That means that, should FIFA decide to switch partners, EA could lose the right to use its long‑established “FIFA” trademark, its associated marketing and the vast array of content—teams, leagues, tournaments—that has become synonymous with the series.

The article references an internal memo circulating among developers that hints at the looming uncertainty. A senior EA developer, quoted anonymously, said that the team is “working hard to ensure a smooth transition if the licence changes hands.” That comment underscores a reality: the loss of the licence would force EA to decide between abandoning football simulation altogether, re‑branding the series under a new name, or even creating an entirely new football IP from scratch.

Who Might Step Into the Breach?

The Mirror piece lists a handful of potential contenders. “eFootball” from Konami, the re‑branded successor to the long‑running “Pro Evolution Soccer,” has already been positioned as a serious competitor and has shown an appetite for the FIFA licence. Sony’s PlayStation division is another strong candidate; the company already sells “FIFA” titles through its own publisher, but has been quietly working on a new football engine called “PlayStation Football.”

Industry analysts cited in the article, including former EA sports marketer Laura Phelps, warn that a switch could be a “catastrophic hit” for fans who have become accustomed to the look and feel of the EA franchise. “When the brand shifts, you lose the familiarity of the franchise name and the associated experience that many players trust,” Phelps is quoted as saying.

Yet, there’s also speculation that FIFA might prefer to keep the licence in-house and award it to a new publisher—one that could bring fresh innovation while preserving the core of the EA model. “FIFA is an enormous brand, and they want to ensure the best possible representation of the sport on screen. That might mean a new partnership that offers higher revenue or a more modern technology stack,” the article notes.

What Could a Loss Mean for EA?

The Mirror article details several scenarios:

The article highlights that an abrupt licence loss would ripple through the entire football‑gaming ecosystem: season‑ticket holders on subscription services like EA Play, tournament organisers who rely on FIFA’s licensing for in‑game branding, and even streaming content creators who build a brand around the series.

A Look at the Business and Technology Stakes

In the mirror’s extended coverage, a link to an EA Sports blog reveals that the company has been investing heavily in “Next‑Gen Engine” technology to keep FIFA competitive against titles like “Football Manager” and “eFootball.” The blog post mentions that EA’s goal is to achieve “real‑time physics” and “improved AI decision‑making” in the upcoming FIFA 25 release.

But the Mirror article points out that these tech investments could be jeopardised if the licence is sold. “If you’re not the owner of the brand, can you justify the cost of cutting‑edge hardware development?” asks a quoted tech journalist.

The article also links to a recent FIFA press release that emphasises their brand’s strategic direction, hinting at a desire for a “more global and inclusive” representation of football. That stance could make FIFA more open to a partnership with a company that promises to reach a wider audience, potentially even outside the traditional console market.

Fan Reaction and the Future of Football Gaming

Across social media, fans have taken to Twitter and Reddit to voice both disappointment and curiosity. The Mirror article quotes a fan who said, “If EA loses FIFA, I’ll be switching to eFootball, but I still love the EA style.” Many commenters express concern that a brand change would also affect the “Ultimate Team” mode, which is a huge revenue generator for EA Sports.

The article ends on a cautious note, noting that “while the next FIFA title remains a staple in football gaming, the next decade could bring a new narrative for the sport’s biggest video‑game franchise.” As the negotiation deadline approaches, players and industry observers alike will be watching closely to see whether EA Sports’ legacy can continue under the same name, or if the licence will herald a new era of football simulation.