EA's massively popular FIFA series has come to an end, as EA Sports is rebranding the series EA Sports FC this year. The release date for this year's game has now apparently leaked.

　　The internet's billbil-kun (via VGC), who has accurately reported on a long list of unannounced products and release dates in the past, now claims EA Sports FC 24 will launch on September 29. This is around the usual time that the FIFA series was historically released.

　　It's also been reported that EA Sports FC 24 will have a one-week early access period, but the only way to get that is by purchasing the Ultimate Edition. FIFA 23's Ultimate Edition, meanwhile, granted players three days of early access.

　　EA Sports FC 24 has big shoes to fill, as FIFA 23 reached more than 10.3 million players during its first week, setting a record for the "biggest launch period" in the history of the FIFA series.

　　EA and FIFA have ended their partnership for the video game series, but this year's EA Sports FC will still have the same or a similar lineup of players, teams, and stadiums because EA has other licensing deals in place. FIFA was reportedly asking EA to pay $1 billion to use the FIFA name in its games, a fee it would need to pay every four years to continue their relationship.

　　As for FIFA, president Gianni Infantino confirmed that FIFA is, for the first time, working with a range of third-party studios and publishers to provide "more choice" beyond aligning with a single company, EA, as it has done in the past.

　　"I can assure you that the only authentic, real game that has the FIFA name will be the best one available for gamers and football fans. The FIFA name is the only global, original title. FIFA 23, FIFA 24, FIFA 25 and FIFA 26, and so on--the constant is the FIFA name and it will remain forever and remain THE BEST," Infantino said.