Following the announcement of Battlefield Labs, a new testing initiative for the upcoming Battlefield game, EA has provided a preliminary release window for the highly anticipated title, commonly referred to as Battlefield 6. The game’s launch is slated for EA’s 2026 fiscal year, specifically between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026.
This update was disclosed in EA’s latest earnings report, which also highlighted disappointing performance metrics for the recent quarter. Despite this, no additional details about the new Battlefield game were shared, although the release window follows a spate of Battlefield-related announcements.
Previously, speculation regarding the game’s release had suggested it could arrive as early as October 2025. Before the official launch, players can engage in Battlefield Labs, a private testing program that is currently accepting sign-ups.
Participants in the Labs program will be prohibited from disclosing any game information publicly. The initiative aims to collect extensive player feedback to ensure a more successful launch compared to Battlefield 2042, which faced backlash due to a controversial overhaul of its class system and an increase in maximum player count.
Initial testing phases are expected to commence within the coming weeks, focusing on various aspects such as gameplay mechanics and map design. Insights from these sessions will later be shared publicly. Currently, the game is reported to be in a pre-alpha state, with early gameplay footage available for viewing.
This installment of Battlefield is under development by Battlefield Studios, an umbrella organization comprising several studios, including DICE, Ripple Effect, Criterion, and Motive. As Criterion shifts its focus to this project, the future of the Need for Speed franchise appears uncertain, although it is not yet declared defunct.
