EA FC 27 Is Set to Introduce an Open World Mode

Football fans unite and gather for this one as this year’s edition of one of the biggest gaming titles in the sports category – EA Sports FC 27 is coming and rumors around the field have it that there would be an open world to be introduced in the gameplay! We wanted to join the discussion and find out if that is actually a necessity in a sports game, where the main focus should be on the matches, so we gathered some information on the matter and put out our thoughts on it!

Want to join us as we roam around the corners and check out what this is all about? Let’s kick off and get right to it!

What Does The Upcoming Edition in the EA Sports FC Series Has Prepared

The EA Sports FC 27 edition, which is going to be the next version of the popular football game series previously known as FIFA, is set to most likely change how both the mobile and console football gaming is experienced by players.

After the release of FC 26 on September 26, 2025, both excitement and tensions are building up for the possible advancements in gameplay and modes in FC 27, including the potential for an open-world features and the revamped Career Mode. This installment would of course include the latest and most up-to-date rosters for the 2026/27 season, improved technological parameters and demanded adjustments based on player feedback.

Following the established tradition, the EA Sports FC 27 release date is scheduled for worldwide premiere on September 25, 2026. Pre-orders on the EA Sports FC 27 Steam page have to begin on July 16, 2026, with the Ultimate Edition of the title offering early access a whole week prior to others, starting on September 18, 2026. Naturally, the newest game in the series is expected to feature improved graphics through the use of its in-game engine and next-gen technology, including better ray-tracing and higher frame rates. Leaked cover art suggests the inclusion of football stars as ICONs and a very modernized user interface and cutscenes with improved character animations and poses, as well as more complex crowd reactions and behavior patterns that look more lively and realistic.

Up to now, this all sounds pretty much fine and expected, however, one of the most talked-about features of the upcoming game is the EA Sports FC 27 open-world mode already termed as FC The Grounds. This feature got hinted around in social media and with the recent trademark filings, got it cemented as confirmed, and that might actually be an interesting opportunity for explorative players to engage in various football-related activities (apart from the actual main game). It really looks like that it would be quite similar to the open-world modes found in NBA 2K. While EA has not officially detailed this mode extensively, the indications of it being a significant part of the game’s offerings are so strong.

Having the “FC The Grounds” trademark already registered with a name and logo has confirmed the overall concept of an open-world and online hub that would be widely associated with it, although the specific details about gameplay features, rules and objectives still remain a bit foggy and shrouded in mystery, but let’s see what we know so far.

What Would You Be Able to Do in The Grounds?

The gameplay in FC The Grounds is expected to allow players the exploration of a shared environment, participating in various activities by interacting with others in a wide variety of locations. This sort of ideas mirror the already successful social features found in other sports games, encouraging free movement and more interaction among players while they play football-themed mini-games. Different areas, called Districts, could depict and represent the numerous football cultures and provide distinct gameplay experiences. This concept implies diverse areas inspired by real-world cities merged into one with each District featuring its own unique visual themes and activities tailored to the real-life inspirations.

The mode will differ from other existing and established online features of EA FC, such as Ultimate Team and Clubs, which traditionally rely much more on UI menus and structured lobbies. Instead, FC The Grounds aims to create a persistent online world, where players encounter one another and engage in the challenges more organically, like forming spontaneous teams or discovering the special in-world events. While traditional modes would still exist, it would provide a new layer of engagement on top of them. So far there has been footage of multiple branded shops or locations of interest (for customization), gyms (to boost your stats) and bustling streets that would connect everything around, but there could be a lot more to discover once the game drops. With all of these things in mind, we need to ask a serious question here, do the players need all of these new thing if the football games are not performing as they should?!

The Main Focus Should Remain on The Core Game Modes and Football Matches

Even though the EA Sports FC 27 gameplay is most likely going to bring transformative updates to the franchise, particularly with the introduction of an expansive open-world mode, everything should really focus on the core gameplay, since veteran fans are looking for a bug-free and intense matches, improved visuals and the features in the main part of the game, but not so much on the side-projects, mini-games and branded monetization deals and these things should not take away the focus of the devs towards the futuristic ideas without addressing the past mistakes. They would have to show that lessons have been truly learned from the previous installments in the popular football gaming series.

In conclusion, a lot more information is expected to come as the marketing cycle for EA Sports FC 27 progresses, during which EA will certainly introduce and showcase the new features and modes in more detail. We are excited to find out more about them, but also eager to get a smoothly performing sports title that truly manages to captivate the hearts of the fans!

The game is going to be available on multiple platforms, including PS5 & PS4, Xbox Series X|S as well as Xbox One, Windows PC via Steam or the EA App and both the original Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. The title is going to have in-game purchases and when the time comes, players would be able to pre-order it through various official sources including YUPLAY. The EA Sports FC 27 Ultimate Edition buyers are going to receive bonuses such as a whole week of early access and extra FC Points.

With this we conclude or mini-review of what we know up to now regarding the upcoming EA Sports title and can’t wait to discover more about it, so that we bring you the latest information and details, until then we are going to continue with our YUPLAY Blog exclusive promotions, news and updates on anything important in the world of gaming, so be sure to stay tuned for more in the coming weeks!