Battlefield 6 developers have confirmed that skill is a factor in matchmaking, but it’s nowhere near the top of the list. Instead, ping and time to game are the real priorities, which might frustrate players hoping for a more skill-focused experience.
After the recent open beta weekend that got everyone talking, new info about Battlefield 6 matchmaking has surfaced. As we wait for the second open beta weekend with new maps and modes, it turns out the matchmaking system is mainly designed to get you into a game quickly and with a good connection, rather than matching you with players of similar skill.
Battlefield 6 Prioritises Ping Over SBMM
David Sirland, the lead producer for Battlefield, addressed questions about skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) in a recent tweet. He explained that matchmaking in the open beta uses the same priorities expected at launch and in previous Battlefield titles. The most significant factors are “ping and time to game“. Skill is considered, but it’s “far down the list.”
Clarification: Open beta used all matchmaking priorities we expect for launch. And they are the same as they have been in previous titles. We prioritize Ping, and time to game ahead of most things. 1/2
— David Sirland (@tiggr_) August 11, 2025
Sirland added that Battlefield 6’s large-scale modes need a range of player skill levels to work correctly. The game also balances teams to keep things fair, which probably explains why skill matching isn’t the top priority. Guess they want matches to be playable and fast to join, even if you end up with a mix of skill levels.
Before the beta, it was revealed that matchmaking factors include ping, player location, server availability, and some skill element. These priorities might shift depending on game mode and player count, but ping and queue times seem to trump everything else.
On a side note, the popular VTuber ‘RileyCS’ got banned on Twitch over cheating allegations related to Battlefield 6. Also, devs are investigating reports of “unexpectedly fast” times to death in matches, which could affect gameplay balance.
