Will Battlefield 6 be the next big esports FPS game?

The next Battlefield, tentatively called Battlefield 6 or Battlefield 7, depending on where you look, could be coming sooner than you think. Developed by DICE and published by Electronic Arts (EA) since the series’ debut in 2002 with Battlefield 1942, the first-person-shooter game has become as iconic as Call of Duty, but in different ways.

For instance, players more fondly remember the tactical side of Battlefield’s multiplayer mode, with its sprawling matches, usually set in World War I or II, Vietnam, or a fictional near-future war that lets players use weapons and vehicles to win the level or a multiplayer match. The latest game, Battlefield 2042, released in 2021, was not well-received, with most in agreement that the game felt buggy, and much of the multiplayer was also lacking the excitement that others like Call of Duty: Warzone and VALORANT have consistently had since their respective launches.

With EA confirming that the next Battlefield is coming by March 2026, there are playtests in progress, called Battlefield Labs, testing out various features of the next entry. Already, there are leaked reports that this next game could succeed where Battlefield 2042 failed. With this in mind, we’ve looked at what’s rumoured so far and whether the next Battlefield could be the next big esports game.

Battlefield 6, or 7, is the next mainline game in the Battlefield series, which is rumoured to take place in the near future of 2027-2030, with a back-to-basics approach for this entry. In a chat with IGN, Head of Respawn & Group GM for EA Studios Organization Vince Zampella confirmed this modern setting, but with an aim to get back to the fun of Battlefield 1942 and Battlefield 4.

Although nothing has been confirmed yet to reveal what’s new and what’s making a return, several Battlefield 6 beta leaks have come out over the past few months, regardless. YouTuber JackFrags has showcased unauthorised footage from the Battlefield Labs playtests, as well as predicting that the next game could be announced later in the summer. There are other rumours that the 64-player map will remain, but the number of weapons available will double what was in Battlefield 2042.

However, the rumours and playtests could be entirely wrong, and we could see official Battlefield 6 gameplay set in a completely different era when it’s announced. So, for now, it’s probably wise to keep expectations to a minimum.

Although some fans think that the next Battlefield could be the series’ last chance, it’s something we’ve heard before in many other games that have had low moments. For example, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, released in 2014, was billed by some as the series’ last chance after the disappointment of Call of Duty: Ghosts in 2013, due to its lack of innovations and familiar single-player campaign.

When fans dedicate their time and money to something, whether that’s a game, a movie series, or something else entirely, they want to make sure that their time is worth it. Therefore, when things don’t go to plan, statements are said that could be seen as over-dramatic, that they’ll never contribute to the series again. But, like Call of Duty, games like Ghosts become a faint memory, being dismissed as a brief low point before moving on.

EA, owner of DICE, is a multi-billion-dollar company. They can write off the loss of a game in a long-standing series and decide whether to take their time with the next entry or release another game in quick succession.

For the next Battlefield, DICE and EA have clearly decided on the former. It’s almost four years since the release of Battlefield 2042, regardless of the seven-season expansions the game has had since then. The developer wants to take their time with the next Battlefield entry, and that shows with the Battlefield Labs initiative. With rumours of a 2026 launch, we’ll likely see Battlefield 6 announced sooner rather than later. 

A big part of what sets apart the Battlefield series from Call of Duty, and even Medal of Honor before it, was how more tactical it felt. When you play a match in Call of Duty, you’re usually dropped straight into the action to rack up points, win, progress to the next level, and then start another match.

With Battlefield, patience is the name of the game rather than close-quarters action. The maps are far bigger, filled with options for vehicle combat via tanks, helicopters, jets, and more. There are also destructive environments, adding to the excitement when teamwork wins out.

If DICE gets the next Battlefield right this time, there’s potential for it to be an easy contender at esports tournaments in 2026. Although much of the games featured at tournaments like EVO and soon the Esports World Cup (EWC) are fast-paced, other, slower games like League of Legends and Dota 2 have also become some of the biggest esports games, and Battlefield could fill a niche. Games like Counter-Strike 2 and Rainbow Six Siege have proven that, but Battlefield 6 could help define that further for players.

Having a first-person-shooter that’s slower-paced, but with a big payoff at the end via destructible environments, could be a big showcase at tournaments for players and viewers alike. It all depends on DICE getting the formula of Battlefield right this time.

DICE is in a unique position for the next Battlefield game. They’ve taken their time, having clearly learnt lessons from Battlefield 2042. And while the Battlefield Labs are under strict NDA lock and key agreements, there’s a sense that things are heading in the right direction when it comes to gameplay and graphics.

If rumours of a Summer 2025 announcement for Battlefield 6 are true, it could give us the earliest indication that we could see the game at several esports tournaments in 2026. With Call of Duty: Warzone being the fast-paced first-person-shooter, Battlefield could fill a niche at these events with its tactical, slow-paced battles with a big payoff.

Nevertheless, it looks like all will be revealed soon, and Battlefield 2042, like Call of Duty: Ghosts, will simply be seen as a brief low point in a long-celebrated series. If DICE delivers with Battlefield 6, it could redefine what a tactical-based first-person-shooter could be in the esports scene.