Battlefield 6 Matchmaking Factors: SBMM, Ping, Location, Server Availability

Whether this is welcome news may depend on your viewpoint, but it appears Battlefield 6 will incorporate skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) to some extent.

EA reportedly confirmed to CharlieIntel during a Battlefield 6 press briefing that the shooter's matchmaking will prioritize ping, player location, server availability, and "some" skill factor, with variations based on the game mode you choose.

Most of this likely won't surprise seasoned players—we're accustomed to connecting to nearby servers or switching regions during peak times—but the mention of a "skill factor" has drawn attention and raised concerns.

SBMM has been a heated topic within several FPS communities, including Call of Duty and Apex Legends. Some argue that grouping similarly skilled players in competitive matches undermines the randomness of casual play, while others believe it creates a fairer environment, especially for newcomers. In fact, Call of Duty players were so frustrated with SBMM that earlier this year, some submitted official requests to publisher Activision to uncover their hidden rankings.

Before drafting a strongly-worded email to EA's support team, keep in mind that skill is just one of several matchmaking factors, and it remains unclear how heavily it will be weighted. However, with a new "server browser solution" on the horizon, players will be watching closely to see how it all unfolds—literally, in-game.

"FYI For COD Fans," noted one respondent. "These exact parameters have always been part of Battlefield, and this is NOT the same type of SBMM as in Call of Duty. Not even close. This is about balancing teams—lobbies will include players from all skill levels."

"The entire COD community has PTSD from the last decade of releases, hahaha," quipped another.

We recently got a glimpse of the shooter's upcoming battle royale mode, which, according to previous leaks, is set in California and features insertion via CH-47 Chinook helicopters. The destructive ring is said to be composed of a substance called "NXC.” Despite earlier speculation, however, Battlefield 6 will not cost $80.

"Battlefield 6 revisits the series' golden era, blending elements from fan favorites like Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 4—but does this revival of past triumphs feel truly exciting?" we asked in IGN's Battlefield 6 preview.

"From reviving the core class system—Assault, Support, Engineer, and Recon—to questioning whether classic modes like 64-player Conquest remain as engaging as ever." Continue reading to learn why we view BF6 as a "safe yet explosive return to the shooter's roots."

First announced back in 2021, Battlefield 6 launches on October 10 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X and S (though EA currently has no plans to release Battlefield 6 on the Nintendo Switch 2). In contrast to Battlefield 2042's tepid reception, fans seem largely impressed with what they've seen so far, and for a while, EA wasn’t even removing leaked assets.