EA Sports has officially announced its acquisition of TRACAB Technologies, a leading provider of advanced sports optical tracking and analysis solutions. This strategic move is expected to significantly enhance the realism, analytics, and immersion of EA’s sports gaming franchises, particularly EA Sports FC and Madden NFL.
TRACAB’s cutting-edge technology captures extensive real-time data from live sports events, tracking every movement on the field at 60Hz per second. This results in approximately 600 million data points per game, covering 65 unique data points per player and referee. The system records live skeleton data from 21 joints on each individual, as well as tracking the centre of mass and ball movement with remarkable precision. This level of data collection has been integral to professional sports leagues, including FIFA, the Bundesliga, and La Liga, providing in-depth performance analysis. EA’s acquisition of TRACAB is expected to bring this data-driven approach into the gaming world, refining in-game animations, player intelligence, and physics to create a more lifelike sports simulation experience.
EA Sports President Cam Weber emphasised the importance of this acquisition, stating: "Data is at the centre of every meaningful advancement in the world of sports today, and as EA SPORTS leads the future of interactive sports experience through the use of more and more real-world data, TRACAB will bring best-in-class capture and data technologies directly into our portfolio."
With the gaming industry shifting towards greater realism through data-driven enhancements, EA aims to leverage TRACAB’s expertise to further solidify its position as the leading force in sports gaming. The integration of real-world tracking data will provide a new level of authenticity, making player movement, ball physics, and AI decision-making even more realistic.
For players, the acquisition could lead to a range of noticeable improvements in EA Sports FC, Madden NFL, and potentially other sports franchises. Enhanced player acceleration, ball trajectory physics, and decision-making based on real-world performance analytics could elevate gameplay to unprecedented levels. EA has long relied on motion capture to replicate athlete movements, but TRACAB’s real-time tracking data will enable even more precise refinements. Instead of relying solely on motion capture suits in controlled environments, EA can now incorporate dynamic, in-game decision-making and physics simulations that reflect real-world matches. This could mean more intelligent AI, better defensive positioning, and enhanced ball control that mirrors the unpredictability of real-life sports.
Beyond its core gaming franchises, EA intends to use TRACAB’s technology to develop new features for its growing interactive sports platform. The EA SPORTS App, which serves as a hub for sports gaming and live experiences, is likely to integrate real-world data from TRACAB to create deeper engagement opportunities for players and sports fans alike. Martin Brogren, General Manager of TRACAB Technologies, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, saying: "Our mission has always been to push the boundaries of sports data and analysis, and with EA SPORTS' vast resources and vision for innovation, we're confident that we can create even more immersive and dynamic experiences for sports fans around the world."
EA’s acquisition of TRACAB is part of a broader trend within the gaming industry, as competitors like 2K Games and Konami also invest heavily in realism-focused features. The sports gaming landscape is becoming increasingly defined by AI, machine learning, and real-world sports tracking, with major developers striving to create the most authentic digital sports experiences. By integrating TRACAB’s advanced tracking technology, EA Sports aims to bridge the gap between real-life sports and virtual simulations, giving players a more immersive experience than ever before. This could also extend beyond console gaming, influencing mobile and cloud-based sports experiences in the future.
While EA has not disclosed the financial details of the acquisition, the deal is expected to close in EA's first fiscal quarter of FY26. In the coming months, EA will likely reveal more details on how TRACAB’s technology will be implemented in upcoming titles. As the sports gaming industry continues to evolve, EA’s latest acquisition sets the stage for further advancements in gameplay realism, AI-driven tactics, and in-depth player performance analysis. Fans of EA Sports FC, Madden NFL, and other EA franchises can look forward to an increasingly authentic and data-enhanced experience in future releases.