On Tuesday, August 30, some Xbox Series S and X owners were able to download and play the full version of FIFA 23 hours after an Xbox error activated a preload, more than a month before the game’s scheduled release on September 27.
How the early access happened
Players who purchased FIFA 23 early — particularly those with the Ultimate edition — reported that a preload sent to their consoles was accidentally activated, granting access to the complete game. In addition, the EA Play trial may have been released prematurely for other users, enabling broader access.
EA response and server shutdown
To limit the spread and impact of the leak, EA temporarily shut down the game’s online servers. The company has not issued a public statement about the incident.
Player activity and social reaction
Numerous gamers posted screenshots of player ratings and streamed matches after gaining access. Some players who participated in closed beta tests also reported that they could download the full FIFA 23 build.
Below are videos shared on social platforms showing gameplay and reactions from users who accessed the early build:
Previous pricing glitch
This is not the first recent issue affecting FIFA 23. A few weeks earlier, an error on the Epic Games Store made the Ultimate edition available with a 99.98% discount. In that case, EA said it would honor the discounted purchases.
Image credit: EA
