EAhas already shut down quite a few games so far in 2025, with fan-favorites such asUFC 3andMadden NFL 21getting the axe earlier this year among many of EA’s mobile games. Since January, EA has nixed over a dozen different games, removing access to online services permanently. The trend continues, with four major sports games from EA being slotted for removal in October this year.
According toGame Rant, there are four more major releases being taken down in October this year, includingNHL 21on October 6,Need for Speed: Rivalson October 7,Madden NFL 22on October 20, andFIFA 23on October 30.This probably won’t surprise sports game fans who are familiar with EA’s recent history of shutting down games, but will be disappointing nonetheless.
EA Is Shutting Down 4 Games In October 2025
Shutdowns Include Madden NFL 22 & FIFA 23
In January, the move to shut downvarious EA gamesincluded mostly mobile games, such asThe Simpsons: Tapped OutandDino Hunter: Deadly Shores. However, these shutdowns later extended to games such asUFC 3, NCAA 14,and evenMadden NFL 21in June. EA thenfurther extended the list of shutdownsto includeNHL 21,Need for Speed: Rivals, Madden NFL 22,andFIFA 23this October.
FIFA 23 was originally planned to be taken down in December, but the date was moved up to October 30.
These shutdowns prevent players from accessing any online content associated with the game, including making certain trophies inaccessible or impossible after going offline. If you’re a fan of the aforementioned upcoming games to be removed by EA, you’ll want tograb any online trophies you’re able to before October rolls around.
Why EA Is Shutting Down Several Sports Games
Out With The Old, In With The New
Many of EA’s games that see a yearly iteration are being phased out with these gradual shutdowns (e.g.,Madden 21 & 22), likely to drum up interest in the newer versions of these franchise installments, such asMadden 26’s releasethis year. While it might seem like older versions of games being shut down would upset players by removing access to online content for the games they purchased,these moves by EA don’t seem to be cutting into the company’s bottom line.
To the studio’s credit, EA has been vocal about the fact that these games' online support is being removed,giving players ample notice before taking them down. Ultimately, it seems like the games being phased out are not a big loss to players who are likely ready to move on to the new and improved versions.
If there was enough backlash among players about these cuts, EA would likely take notice, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. It’s likely these decisions are being made at least partially based on waning popularity and declining player count, andEAis better off allocating resources to newer and more popular games.
