Ethan Crossfield 
Online support has become a defining part of modern sports games, but it also gives publishers a clear point at which older releases are no longer practical to maintain. EA’s latest server schedule shows that NHL 22 and NHL 23 are next, with both games losing their online functionality permanently on August 31.
Why EA’s Older Sports Games Are Losing Online Support
EA relies heavily on online play, licensed content, and live-service features across much of its catalog. As audiences move to newer releases, maintaining older servers can become difficult to justify financially. That has already affected other games this month: the Nintendo Switch version of Apex Legends was shut down earlier in August. Players on the original Switch can no longer use that version, although Apex Legends is available on Nintendo Switch 2.
NHL 22 and NHL 23 Shut Down August 31
The August 31 closure applies to the online modes in both NHL 22 and NHL 23. Players who still use either game for online multiplayer have a limited window to return before those services become inaccessible. The shutdown does not necessarily remove every feature from the games, since older NHL titles can retain offline modes after their online services end. However, any mode that depends on EA’s servers will no longer function.
What NHL Players Can Switch To Next
NHL 24, NHL 25, and NHL 26 still support online multiplayer at the time of writing, giving the series community several active alternatives. NHL 27 is also scheduled to launch on September 11 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, with San Diego Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini named as its cover athlete. Its online services are expected to remain available for years, although EA has not provided a specific support timeline.
More EA Closures Are Already Confirmed
The two NHL shutdowns are part of a wider schedule. Grid Legends will lose its online services on September 11, while NBA Mobile 26 is set to shut down on October 27. Most of these closures leave some offline functionality intact, but NBA Mobile 26 is a more complete disappearance: the game will effectively cease to exist after the shutdown and is already unavailable through app stores.
Key points
- NHL 22 and NHL 23 online services end permanently on August 31.
- Offline features may remain available in the two NHL games.
- NHL 24, NHL 25, and NHL 26 still support online multiplayer.
- Grid Legends and NBA Mobile 26 are scheduled for later closures.
Confirmed EA game shutdown schedule
| Game | Shutdown date | Expected impact |
|---|---|---|
| NHL 22 | August 31 | Online modes become inaccessible; offline features may remain |
| NHL 23 | August 31 | Online modes become inaccessible; offline features may remain |
| Grid Legends | September 11 | Online services shut down |
| NBA Mobile 26 | October 27 | Game effectively ceases to exist |
Expert View
These closures underline the trade-off built into live-service sports games: regular online features can keep a franchise active, but they also make older releases dependent on continued server funding. For players, the practical lesson is to treat online functionality as temporary, especially when a newer annual entry is available. Until initiatives such as Stop Killing Games lead to legislation, communities should expect more legacy titles to follow this pattern.
