Eschewing a traditional yearly game release schedule, EA SPORTS WRC will launch a 2024-season downloadable expansion plus two further DLC packs.
The official game of the FIA World Rally Championship, to date it features a mixture of classic content and a replication of the 2023 real-world competition.
The additions will consist of three separate packs, which can be purchased individually or as a bundle. The digital version of the base game will be repackaged too, and renamed ‘EA SPORTS WRC 24’, including a pass to access the new content.
‘Locations and Car Content Pack’, October 2024
The Locations & Car Content Pack will feature new content that matches the 2024 season, including:
Fresh cars
- Ford Puma Rally1 HYBRID WRC (2024 spec update)
- Hyundai i20 N Rally1 HYBRID WRC (2024 spec update)
- Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 HYBRID WRC (2024 spec update)
- Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 WRC2
- Ford Fiesta Rally3 Evo JWRC
The optional add-on will add the latest liveries – all three main Rally1-fielding teams significantly update their looks this year – driver and co-driver rosters plus two new rally events. In total, 52 new designs will be included across the various official categories.
According to Electronic Arts and developer Codemasters, the Rally1 cars are listed as new vehicles – albeit they are expected to drive nearly identically to the existing models.
An all-new car is present, however. This year witnessed the debut of the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 for the WRC2 support category – the three-cylinder rally model already taking class victories.
This will be part of the expansion alongside the facelifted ‘evo’ version of the Ford Fiesta Rally3 used in the WRC3 and Junior WRC categories.
Two new rallies
- Rally Poland
- Rally Latvia
As expected, two new rallies and associated stages will be part of the expansion too.
Both were fresh for the actual WRC this season, with the Polish event returning to the calendar for the first time since 2017. Latvia, meanwhile, graduated from the European Rally Championship to make its WRC debut.
Both are high-speed gravel rallies, perhaps akin to Estonia and Finland for the stage layouts.
Le Maestros Content Pack, winter ’24/’25
Following the 2024-season specific expansion, a second DLC pack arrives in ‘winter 2025/25’. This will add extra routes to the existing Rally Monte Carlo and Rally Portugal events.
In particular, two stages aping the real world:
- Rallye Monte Carlo: Briançonnet (14.55km)
- Vodafone Rally de Portugal: Fafe
Further content is expected to be included but has not yet been unveiled. Potentially of note, nine-time WRC champion Sébastien Loeb is nicknamed ‘Le Maestro’.
Hard Chargers Content Pack, spring ’25
A further three stages will be part of a ‘Hard Chargers Content Pack’ expected in the spring of 2025.
- Rally Sweden – Umea (10.08 km) & Umea Sprint (5.16 km)
- EKO Acropolis Rally Greece – Harvati (14.42 km)
Perhaps of note here is EA SPORTS WRC’s lack of shorter super special stages. While the Swedish Umea Sprint isn’t quite one of those, it is very close, ending with a spectator-filled fan zone.
Much like Le Maestros, it will also “feature additional content, which we will reveal closer to release,” according to EA.
EA SPORTS WRC 24 content release dates
The additional content begins on 8th October for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S with the release of the 2024 ‘Locations & Car Update Content Pack’.
Then, the Le Maestros and Hard Chargers packs follow and can be purchased separately. At the same date, the digital bundle will be available that includes all three packs – when they are released.
No pricing has been announced presently.
8th October is also when EA SPORTS WRC 24 releases, which is the existing base game plus the pass that provides DLC access.
