EA Sports FC 25 is asoccervideo game published byEA Sports. It is the second installment in theEA Sports FC series and the 32nd overall installment of EA Sports' football simulation games. The game was developed by EA Sports and was released worldwide on September 27, 2024 forNintendo Switch,^[1]PlayStation 4,PlayStation 5,Windows,Xbox One, andXbox Series X/S.^[2][3] Users who pre-ordered the Ultimate Edition of the game were able to play it on 20 September 2024.

EA Sports FC 25
Ultimate Edition cover art
Developer(s)	EA Vancouver EA Romania
Publisher(s)	EA Sports
Series	EA Sports FC
Engine	Frostbite
Platform(s)	Nintendo Switch PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5 Windows Xbox One Xbox Series X/S
Release	September 27, 2024
Genre(s)	Sports
Mode(s)	Single-player,multiplayer

This instalment introduces several features aimed at enhancing gameplay and player engagement, according to EA developers.^[4][5] The Ultimate Edition cover features football playersGianluigi Buffon,Aitana Bonmatí,Jude Bellingham,Zinedine Zidane, andDavid Beckham in a room filled with trophies they have won, symbolising their careers,^[6] while the Standard Edition cover featuresJude Bellingham alone.^[7]

A comprehensive overhaul of the tactical system, allowing players to influence team strategies more effectively. It includes modernised team tactics and smarterAI for teammates, enabling a more dynamic gameplay experience. Players can now emulate the tactics of famous managers, adapting formations fluidly during matches.^[8]

The game introduces distinct roles for players, enhancing how they fit into team strategies. This feature is designed to ensure that players are utilised effectively according to their strengths.^[9][10]

New gameplay mechanics for goalkeepers have been added, providing more depth to the position and allowing for varied styles of play. Goalkeepers are now also allowed outfield Playstyles.^[11][12]

Players can team up with friends in a new 5v5 mode. This mode replaces VOLTA, which last appeared on EA Sports FC 24.^[13][14]

TheUEFA Champions League,UEFA Women's Champions League,UEFA Europa League andUEFA Conference League return.^[15]

ThePremier League,La Liga,Serie A,Bundesliga,Saudi Pro League,Major League Soccer andLigue 1 are amongst the 38 different playable leagues, both men's and women's.^[16]

TheCoupe de France is also fully licensed in the game.^{[citation needed]}

TheLiga Portugal is also licensed, but without its sponsor name (Betclic), mostly due to the anti-gambling policy of EA Sports.^{[citation needed]} The league and its sponsor name, however, are licensed in rival gameeFootball.

Most clubs fromFC 24 return, exceptSerie A clubsInter Milan,SS Lazio,Atalanta andAC Milan, which are named Lombardia FC, Latium, Bergamo Calcio and Milano FC, respectively, as well as theBelgium national team, and theCanada women's national team, whom EA lost the licenses to.^[17][18] Serie A clubsRoma andNapoli return after four and two years respectively since their last appearances inFIFA 20 andFIFA 22.^[19][20] In addition, the Greek club and2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League championsOlympiacos, who last appeared inFIFA 22, return. 11-timeAzerbaijan Premier League championsQarabag, make their debut in the franchise, as well as theFinland women's national team.^{[citation needed]}

Bayern Munich andFC Barcelona play in generic stadiums, having done so sinceFIFA 20 andFIFA 17 respectively, as both clubs' stadiums are exclusive toKONAMI'seFootball,^[21] whileEstadio Más Monumental (home stadium ofRiver Plate), which last appeared inFIFA 19, returns.^{[citation needed]}

Ahead of the launch, EA Sports announced the members of a launch set of Heroes – usable cards for retired footballers and/or depicting special moments, withcomic book art styles and each associated with a league for team chemistry purposes.^[22] All are new Heroes with the exception ofYaya Touré.^[23] Similarly, Icons (usable cards for retired footballers, depicting their rating at their peak; styled "ICONs" in the game), are returning to Ultimate Team, only associated with their nations for chemistry purposes. The eight new Icons areGianluigi Buffon,Gareth Bale,Lotta Schelin,Julie Foudy,Lilian Thuram,Nadine Angerer,Aya Miyama, andMarinette Pichon.^[24]

Career Mode offers players an immersive experience as they step into the shoes of a football club manager, guiding their team through various seasons. Players can make decisions regarding player transfers, training regimens, and tactics, while also managing the club's finances and building a fan base. The mode features player development, where young talents can be nurtured into stars, and the dynamic nature of rivalries and board expectations adds depth to the challenge.^{[citation needed]}

On 5 December 2024, EA Sports launched apreview version ofFC 25 for their new users to try out. This version contains limited versions of the Kick Off and Rush modes with a rotating selection of clubs and teams.^[25] This is the first EA-developed soccer game to contain a free playable version sinceFIFA 20.^[26]

EA Sports FC 25 received "generally favorable" reviews from critics for the PlayStation 5 version and "mixed or average" for the Xbox Series X/S version, according to review aggregatorMetacritic.^[27][28] Additionally, 68% of critics recommended the game, according toOpenCritic.^[29]

It won the award for "Best Sports / Racing Game" atThe Game Awards 2024,^[37] as well as received a nomination for "Sports Game of the Year" at the28th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.^[38]