EA Sports FC 25: Release Date, Top Player Ratings, New Features, Preview and More

EA Sports FC 25 is one of the most anticipated releases of any gaming year, especially among soccer fans, and this year's presentation takes necessary steps to keep things fresh and exciting for longtime fans of the franchise (previously EA FIFA).

There are a bevy of new and updated features to appeal to die-hard and casual gamers alike, with every major star the sport has to offer available to play with.

Who are the top-rated athletes in this year's game, what features can fans look forward to, and when can you pick up your copy in stores or download at home?

Find out with this preview.

This year's game will release on the following dates:

September 20

EA Play Early Access 10-hour Trial, EA Sports FC 25 Ultimate Edition* and EA Play Pro Ultimate Edition Access (PC)*

September 27

EA Sports FC 25 Standard Edition

The fan-favorite annual release will be available for consumption on the following consoles:

• PlayStation 5
• PlayStation 4
• Xbox Series X/S
• Xbox One
• PC
• Nintendo Switch

*Find a complete listing of Ultimate Edition features here.

The top-rated men's players in this year's game are:

• Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid, 91 OVR
• Rodri, Man City, 91 OVR
• Erling Haaland, Man City, 91 OVR
• Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid, 90 OVR
• Vini Jr., Real Madrid, 90 OVR
• Kevin De Bruyne, Man City, 90 OVR
• Harry Kane, Bayern Munich, 90 OVR

The top-rated women's players in this year's game are:

• Aitana Bonmatí, Barcelona, 91 OVR
• Alexia Putellas, Barcelona, 90 OVR
• Caroline Graham Hansen, Barcelona, 90 OVR
• Sam Kerr, Chelsea, 90 OVR
• Sophia Smith, Portland Thorns, 89 OVR
• Ada Hegerberg, Lyon, 89 OVR
• Mapi León, PSG, 89 OVR

Ratings according to ESPN

There are several new and developed features for players to delve into this year, with EA touting the tactical control players will have over the teams and players they control.

Rush provides players a 5-on-5 setup that can be utilized across Football Ultimate Team, Clubs, and Kick-Off.

The mode provides players a faster-paced presentation that also keeps things on the smaller side. It ups the speed of the game, lessens the number of players to control, and allows for more casual play amongst friends and gamers.

FC IQ uses artificial intelligence to provide players with the most authentic gameplay experience in the franchise's history. Using "Player Roles," each player has specialized strengths and weaknesses that reflect their real-life game on the pitch.

Promising unrivaled authenticity, the game also features every major tournament, match data, and details down to the movement of an individual player on the field.

The Career Mode Deep Dive includes player control in both the Manager and Player Careers, with the ability to recreate top moments from the 2024/25 season thanks to Live Start Points.

The Manager Mode has expanded to include play in five top women's leagues and includes scenarios and details specific to the women's game.

The implementation of the new features is clearly aimed at creating a more immersive experience for gamers. The presentation is realer than it ever has been, the attention to detail, and implementation of the live start points allows participants to experience their own, unique career modes or those moments ripped right from pitch.

Like other gaming companies with sports-oriented releases, EA must find new ways to keep an old game fresh.

Whether the new implementations are enough to give fans the satisfying of purchasing a new edition remains to be seen

For a detailed rundown of this year's newest features, click here.