EA is shutting NBA Live 19 servers down in January 2026

[LuxerWap]

Sources: https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/20 ... down-date/

https://www.ea.com/legal/service-updates/i-q

The online services for NBA Live 19 will cease permanently on January 30, 2026. The shutdown affects players on both PS4 and PS5 (playable via the PS4 game's backward compatibility). After the shutdown, all online-only features and modes, such as multiplayer matches, leaderboards, and community content downloads (if applicable), will no longer be available. Offline modes and single-player campaign content will still be accessible.

Players aiming for the game's Platinum trophy should note that some multiplayer-related trophies will become unobtainable after the servers are taken offline.

NBA Live 19 has already been removed from digital storefronts (like the PlayStation Store) and the EA Play subscription service as of October 23, 2025, meaning the game is no longer available for new digital purchases.

[Andrew]

Thanks for the heads up! Not altogether surprising, though unless there's something new in the pipeline, it's basically going to officially mark the end of non-mobile NBA Live.

[LuxerWap]

I think they realized that NBA Live Mobile has been giving them so much money that it's better off not to make a new game for consoles and PC, which is a shame if that was the case. The basketball video game market is in dire need of competition, as well as other sports games, but as time goes on, we finally see that competition isn't what matters; it's how much your current fanbase is willing to throw money at you for competitive advantages.

[Andrew]

Quite likely. And it's a shame; for all its struggles, the NBA Live series produced some classic releases in its heyday, so it's kind of an inglorious fate for it to have petered out on eighth gen as it did, and be the branding for the mobile game. I guess it is what it is at this point. I don't hold out much hope for the return of a proper console/PC release, but I'd absolutely welcome it.

[LuxerWap]

It is sad to see a franchise that once revolutionize simulation sports games as well as well debut the EA Sports branding fell off so hard. There has to be at least someone at EA wanting to make basketball video games again as we have seen that they tried to bring College Basketball back, but I guess to EA, that's too much of a risk.

I seriously hope NBA Live's future isn't the mobile game; it's a fate worse than death, in my opinion.

[Andrew]

Completely agreed. There was a glimmer of hope with the announcement of a college basketball game, but then they rescinded that when they couldn't get an exclusive deal. Myopic and honestly a cowardly move by EA, in my view. We need more options in the space. Until then, I'll be sticking with old favourites, as I'm not feeling NBA 2K26 at all.