It has been announced that Battlefield 6 will have some skill-based matchmaking in the multiplayer side of the game.
The news comes directly from EA from the press briefing during the Battlefield 6 multiplayer reveal event, where they broke down how skill-based matchmaking will work in Battlefield 6 (thanks, CharlieINTEL).
It was said that skill-based matchmaking in Battlefield 6 will focus on four key areas:
- Ping
- Player’s Location
- Server Availability
- Some Skill Factor
It was said that the matchmaking factors “will vary based on each game mode and player counts”.
While it’s unclear precisely what that means when it comes to different gamemodes and player counts, it seems like there will be both a ‘general SBMM’ system before entering a game, AND a team-based matchmaking system, too.
But is it Team-Based Matchmaking?
EA previously weighed in on the discussion around skill-based matchmaking in Battlefield 6 in April 2025, specifically regarding team-based matchmaking.
Back then, EA said that skill-based matchmaking would be used to make more balanced teams, rather than implementing a strong SBMM across an entire band of players (although “some” skill is now required for matchmaking before entering a server).
David Sirland, one of the Lead Producers on Battlefield 6, said on the matter back then that “we need a skill value to make balanced teams – no matter the ranges of skills total on a server.”
He continued, “Battlefield is at its best when you play the all-out war modes with friends and different types of players – we do not want to limit that.”
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So it seems that although skill-based matchmaking is going to be in Battlefield 6 (BEFORE you enter a match), there’ll be a second matchmaking server-side to balance out teams, rather than throwing all of the sweatiest players in a single lobby. Well, for the moment at least, that’s what’s being said. But because SBMM is such a hot topic, I’m sure EA will clarify further as the release date approaches, or folks will datamine information in the upcoming Battlefield 6 beta.
What are your thoughts on Battlefield Studios’ approach to SBMM in Battlefield 6? And what do you think of skill-based matchmaking in multiplayer games in general? Let US know on the Insider Gaming forum.
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