There's No F1 2026 Game — Here's What EA Did Instead (And Whether It's Worth It)

If you've been searching for the F1 2026 game and coming up empty, you're not confused — it genuinely doesn't exist. For the first time since 2008, EA Sports didn't release a standalone F1 title. Instead they did something that split the community straight down the middle: they released a paid expansion for last year's game.

Here's everything you need to know — what it is, what you get, what it costs, and most importantly whether it's actually worth buying.

Why There's No Standalone F1 2026 Game

Back in November 2025, EA and Codemasters made one of the most surprising announcements in the franchise's history. Instead of releasing F1 26 as a separate game, they confirmed that F1 25 would cover both the 2025 and 2026 FIA Formula One World Championships through a paid expansion.

The reason is actually logical once you understand what's coming next. EA described the decision as part of a "strategic reset for the F1 franchise." The developer is building a completely new game for 2027 that looks, feels, and plays differently — and rather than rush a half-finished annual release for 2026, they chose to invest that development time into making 2027 something genuinely new.

So 2026 gets an expansion, 2027 gets the full overhaul. Whether you agree with that decision or not, that's the plan.

What Is the F1 25: 2026 Season Pack?

The F1 25: 2026 Season Pack launched worldwide on June 3, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. It's a premium DLC expansion for F1 25 — not a standalone game. If you want to play it, you need F1 25.

Here's exactly what's in it:

Audi and Cadillac join the grid

Two new teams join the 2026 grid: Audi, taking over from Sauber, and Cadillac — marking the arrival of the first major American car manufacturer in Formula 1. Both come with full official driver line-ups. Cadillac is headlined by Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, while Isack Hadjar joins Max Verstappen at Red Bull and rookie Arvid Lindblad joins Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls.

The MADRING circuit

The headline addition for many players is the Madring — the in-game version of the new Madrid venue joining the real F1 calendar as the Spanish Grand Prix. It's a hybrid layout mixing street sections with purpose-built track, running 5.4 km across 22 corners, and it's the first new circuit to join the series since 2023. You can race it in-game right now, roughly 100 days before the real-world race takes place in September.

New cars and regulations

Players can expect redesigned cars, new 50/50 hybrid power units and active aerodynamics, all aimed at reshaping how Formula 1 cars perform on track. The new active aerodynamics system allows wings to adjust dynamically between straights and corners, while a new Overtake Mode adds a layer of race strategy during wheel-to-wheel battles.

PS5 Pro upgrades

PS5 Pro owners get enhanced PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) baked in from day one, along with full ray tracing support. The MADRING circuit was specifically built to showcase these visual enhancements.

How Much Does It Cost?

The standalone 2026 Season Pack is priced at €29.99 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, and €24.99 on PC. For players who don't already own F1 25, the 2026 Season Edition bundle — which includes the base game and the expansion together — costs €59.99 on console and €49.99 on PC.

Is It Worth Buying? The Honest Verdict

This is where it gets complicated — and the honest answer depends entirely on your situation.

If you already own F1 25:

At the expansion price, this is a much more affordable way than usual to get behind the wheel of some fascinating new machinery. For €29.99 you get Audi, Cadillac, the MADRING, new cars with genuinely different handling characteristics, and the authentic 2026 grid. If you're an active F1 25 player and follow the real sport, this is a straightforward yes.

If you don't own F1 25:

You'll be paying around €60 for the bundled version and likely wondering why half the content can only be played with out-of-date cars. The 2026 cars cannot be used in several game modes, and your existing career saves don't transfer. For new players, waiting to see what the 2027 full game brings might be the smarter move.

The main limitation to know:

The new 2026 cars cannot be raced in Ranked Multiplayer, Co-op Career, F1 World Series, Leagues, or Challenge Career modes — leaving only My Team, Driver Career, Unranked Multiplayer, Time Trial, and Custom Grand Prix. If online ranked racing is your main focus, this expansion gives you very little.

What Reviewers Are Saying

The critical consensus is broadly positive for what's there, but with clear reservations about what's missing.

GameSpew called it "a must-have for F1 fans that want an authentic experience" but noted that "those who just play Ranked multiplayer will get pretty much nothing from it."

Game8 described it as "a solid slice of what's to come next year" and noted that the new cars and regulation changes make every race feel sharper and more reactive than before.

The F1 25: 2026 Season Pack currently sits at 

"Mixed" on Steam — just 48% positive from 

445 reviews. The complaints are consistent: 

mode restrictions feel too limiting for a paid expansion, non-transferable saves frustrate existing players, and many feel €29.99 is too high for what's delivered

The positive reviews focus on the MADRING circuit and new car physics. The negative ones focus on what's missing. Whether it's worth it genuinely depends on which camp you fall into.

Sports Gamers Online highlighted that while the gameplay changes are genuinely good — particularly the active aerodynamics and Overtake Mode — the lack of updates to Career Mode and limited support across game modes leaves the package feeling thinner than it should for a €29.99 expansion.

2UpSkill gave perhaps the most balanced take: "It delivers a meaningful gameplay evolution without forcing players to purchase another expensive annual release." Not a revolution, but a meaningful step forward.

Should You Wait for F1 27 Instead?

If you're on the fence and not an active F1 25 player already, waiting is genuinely a reasonable option. EA has confirmed that 2027 will see the series return with a "deeply authentic and innovative" representation of Formula 1 — described as a completely new experience rather than an iteration on what came before.

The 2026 Season Pack is explicitly positioned as a bridge to that larger release. If you can wait another year and want the full rebuilt experience, that's the smarter play.

If you want to race with Audi, Cadillac, and Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari on the MADRING right now — the expansion delivers exactly that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an F1 2026 game?

No standalone F1 2026 game exists. EA Sports released the F1 25: 2026 Season Pack as a paid expansion for F1 25 instead of a separate annual title. This is the first time since 2008 the franchise hasn't released a standalone game.

When did the F1 25 2026 Season Pack come out?

June 3, 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Do I need F1 25 to play the 2026 Season Pack?

Yes — the expansion requires the base F1 25 game. If you don't own it, the F1 25: 2026 Season Edition bundle includes both for €59.99 on console or €49.99 on PC.

How much does the F1 25 2026 Season Pack cost?

€29.99 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, €24.99 on PC. The Season Edition bundle with the base game included is €59.99 on console and €49.99 on PC.

What new teams are in the F1 25 2026 Season Pack?

Audi and Cadillac both join the grid for the first time in the franchise. Cadillac is headlined by Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez. Audi replaces Sauber with a new identity and driver line-up.

What is the MADRING circuit?

The MADRING is a brand-new in-game circuit based on the real Madrid street and purpose-built track hosting the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix in September. It's 5.4 km across 22 corners and the first new circuit in the franchise since 2023.

Will F1 2026 content come to PC via Game Pass or PS Plus?

Not at launch. The expansion is a separate purchase for all platforms.

When is the F1 27 game coming out?

No official date confirmed yet beyond "2027." EA has described it as a completely reimagined experience that will look, feel, and play differently from previous entries.

If you're picking up the F1 25: 2026 Season Pack on PS5 or Xbox, having PlayStation or Xbox credit ready makes the purchase straightforward. We stock PlayStation Store gift cards and Xbox gift cards for EU accounts with instant delivery — your credit arrives by email the moment your order is confirmed.

Sources:AIDigitalKeys, EA Sports, Codemasters, GameSpew, Game8, Sports Gamers Online, Traxion, GTPlanet, Top Gear,