You’ve got to give credit: FIFA, as a brand, is more synonymous with EA Sports’ soccer simulation these days than the shady organisation it’s named after. But licensing that name comes at a significant cost to the publisher, and it admitted recently that it’s looking to alternatives as it renegotiates its relationship with football’s governing body.
One option it appears to have settled upon is EA Sports FC, as Polygon spotted registrations from the publisher in both the UK and across Europe. It’s just a trademark at this stage, and it’s worth noting that the firm is merely “reviewing” its naming rights agreement, meaning it may still choose to stump up the cash and retain its iconic FIFA name.
However, there’s clearly a contingency plan in place here, and it’s now possible that FIFA 23 may actually be named EA Sports FC. One thing that’s worth noting is that its licensing agreement with competitions like the Premier League and Champions League is separate, so even if it did change the name, all of the teams and players you’d expect to be included will remain intact.
It does feel like we’re on the cusp of something big, though: FIFA has become such an iconic name around the world, it seems absurd that we’re even discussing the possibility of EA Sports changing it. What do you think of the name EA Sports FC, and do you think the publisher will forge ahead with the switch? Kick off in the comments section below.
[source trademarks.ipo.gov.uk, via euipo.europa.eu, polygon.com]
Comments 23
Maybe the price is to insane and the Childeren Casino is something that is looked at now. Who knows maybe just maybe the lobby wont be enough this time for EA.
Weird. Everyone would probably still call it FIFA but it would be a weird world without FIFA and PES.
EA Sports FC. Hahahahahaha. Please go with that. The creatives must have been off with COVID that day.
I think 'Something resembling a mediocre football game designed to exploit and extort money from minors' is much catchier.
Sounds like a default name for create your own team in career mode more than a good name for the game.
I think they're mad that they pay all that for the name FIFA yet they have teams like Piemonte Calcio, like what's the point 😆. EA Sports FC sounds extremely generic, eFootball is sounding nicer by the day.
This is kinda like Electronic Arts is telling FIFA to Look Inside A FIFA Ultimate Team Pack Before selling.......over to you FIFA.
Are we sure some of the staff aren't just registering a Sunday League team?
They have zero competition now - they can go Prince on us and call it a "symbol"
As long as people can keep playing with their favorite clubs/players, it will be fine.
I don’t care about the name. It is still a casino in disguise of a football simulation game
Honestly so dumb.
Nobody will ever refer to FIFA as anything but FIFA. Same way eFootball will always be PES or Pro Evo.
What do I care, they’ll do as they please with their billion pound casino sim
Feafa. Sorted.
Just rename it to EA Ultimate Team... EA Sports FC name is dumbest I have ever read.
I wish the article would have stated what FC stood for b/c we all don't live in the UK or EU. Somewhere in the back of my brain I do know, just can't recall. Pretty sure the F is football though. 🤷♂️
Edit: OK Google says "football club" which is a stupid name for the game unless this is a spinoff where you create your own team and manage it. Just call if EA Futbol and make everyone learn some Spanish. 😝
They should call it EA rip off micro-transaction engine and would probably still be number one in games chart over xmas. And people would still call it FIFA regardless so it doesn't really matter.
Haven't played one in years after getting too addicted to ultimate team one year so doesn't bother me what is called.
...I still think of PES (efootball) as ISS btw.
EA FC... Does the FC stand for Forever Cash??😁
Terrible name. Hope not to be the case.
They should call it 'EA Sports Menus And Stats' because every time I watch my nephew 'play' FIFA he spends more time faffing with his FUT squad than actually playing footy.
It’s a money trap pure and simple. If you want to play it to its full potential that is, but call it what ever the hell you want I won’t be playing it
AWFUL name lol What are they thinking?
Just a typo away from accidentally purchasing EA Sports UFC.
Do these idiots not talk to each other?
You misspelled football
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