For 30 years, Electronic Arts, under the EA Sport brand, had the privilege to be the exclusive provider of video games for the simulation aspect of everything related to the FIFA Soccer League, but now these are different times and nothing lasts forever.

Since quite a long time ago, it has been rumored that Electronic Arts and FIFA were at odds, to the point that it was just a matter of time that an “this is it” regarding EA Sport FIFA video game series would come to an end.

And that day was today as Electronic Arts and FIFA confirmed that after this year’s EA FIFA 23, the partnership will end and EA will no longer have the exclusivity to make games with simulation of real life teams and players.

Despite the fact, EA will rebrand its main soccer game as EA Sport FC and while this means that FIFA (and probably some direct sponsorship) will be no more beginning 2023 and onwards, traditional options like Ultimate Team, Career, Pro Clubs, and VOLTA will all remain.

Also, EA manages to still have the partnership with Premier, LaLiga, and Bundesliga and all of the players, teams, and stadiums.

It has been known that the both EA and FIFA were at odds in recent years, but particularly last year, negotiation for a renewal fell through because FIFA wanted more control on external branding sponsorships and a $1 billion fee and while EA considered the amount high, FIFA rejected a counter offer of EA about expanding the partnership to opportunities like NFT and less liberty to do external business.