- In EA Sports FC 27, The Grounds brings up to 100 players into a shared football playground on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2, built around a central Terrace and 3 districts; the Terrace is the starting point and the Clubhouse becomes the new home of Clubs.
- EA Sports has scheduled 10 seasons throughout the year to refresh The Grounds' open world.
- Ultimate Team was introduced in FIFA 09 and remains the last notable EA Sports football addition with lasting staying power, while Volta came and went.
- EA Sports FC 27 launches globally on September 25, with Early Access beginning on September 18 for Ultimate Edition and Ultimate Plus Edition owners.
- The article is skeptical about The Grounds' staying power, noting that no notable EA Sports football addition has remained relevant since Ultimate Team and that the mode could ultimately fade like PlayStation Home.
- Players can equip up to three Amps at a time for temporary attribute boosts and perks; Amps are primarily earned through objectives, live events, campaigns, and season progression, and can also be purchased from the store.
- The Grounds adds Clubs Live Tournaments and Kickabouts, including House Rules such as Mystery Ball, King of the Hill, No Rules, Headers and Volleys, Survival, and Long Range.
- Clubs progression changes: all Archetypes are unlocked by default and resets no longer cost Coins or consumables; Masteries add long-term progression across Archetypes, while limited-use Amps can add attribute boosts, PlayStyles, PlayStyles+, or Perks to an active Archetype for a set number of matches.
- In Football Ultimate Team (FUT), the new FUT Gallery lets Player Items contribute to Sets, even if sold or submitted into an SBC, and introduces Holographic Items as rarer visual versions with unchanged in-match attributes.
- EA is streamlining core FUT systems: Streamlined SBCs allow duplicate Items and partial progress, Evolutions add Pathways and Evolution Chain Preview, and PlayStyle Lab returns as a recurring programme from Season 1.
- Rewards are being adjusted so more progress comes through End of Match Rewards, direct FUT Coins, tradeable packs, and flexible reward paths, with the goal of making every match feel more useful even after weekly rewards are completed.
EA Sports has introduced The Grounds, a groundbreaking open-world mode in FC 27, set to launch on September 25. This mode, reminiscent of PlayStation Home, immerses players in a vibrant football culture through three districts: Montclair, Zeiza, and Parkside, each reflecting unique local communities.1256
Central to The Grounds is the Terrace, where up to 100 players can gather. Players can participate in various small-sided games, including 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, and 5v5 Rush, alongside engaging in Kickabouts, casual football experiences scattered throughout the map. Kylian Mbappé and other football stars serve as mentors, guiding players through challenges that enhance their skills.91011
According to FC 27 line producer Karthik Venkateshan, The Grounds represents “perhaps one of our biggest reinventions in recent history.” The mode aims to blend traditional gameplay with unexpected street-level action, creating a social space for football fans. Jean-Francois Guastalla, game design director, emphasizes the importance of authenticity in the districts, stating they should feel “as authentic as possible.”
The world of The Grounds will evolve with 10 seasons planned throughout the year, promising fresh content and experiences. EA Sports is also enhancing Football Ultimate Team (FUT) with new features, including the FUT Gallery and streamlined SBCs, aiming to make every match feel impactful.3151617181920
With the launch of FC 27, EA Sports hopes to create a lasting feature that resonates with players, unlike previous modes that faded away.
“The Grounds centers on the Terrace, where up to 100 players can gather, and launches with 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, 5v5 Rush, and four Kickabouts. FC 27 arrives September 25, with Early Access starting September 18 for Ultimate Edition and Ultimate Plus Edition owners.”
