With the summer of 2026 approaching, the latest installment in the acclaimed football game series, EA FC 27, is about to be officially announced. While official details are still scarce, information from various well-known leakers has already outlined the grand blueprint for this year's blockbuster football game. From the rumored open-world mode, The Grounds, to the revamped Ultimate Team system, FC 27 could very well be the most radically transformed version of the series.
The Grounds
If there's only one truly noteworthy core feature of FIFA 27, it's undoubtedly the long-rumored open-world mode. According to insiders, the studio will be launching a brand-new mode called FC The Grounds. Furthermore, the developer officially filed a trademark application for this name on January 23, 2026, covering downloadable games and online entertainment services.
The Grounds will completely change the way players access the game. Players no longer need to select game modes through traditional menus. Instead, they can freely roam and socialize in a shared online open world, exploring nature to access matches and mini-games.
The entire open world is designed as districts themed around different national football countries - such as England and France - allowing players to experience the football culture of different regions. Players wander through the world, searching for mini-games, social spaces, and entrances to special events.
This design likely draws inspiration from the success of other games, particularly NBA 2K's The City. Players have their own avatars and can roam the city, visiting places like barbershops, clothing stores, and gyms.
Even more excitingly, it's rumored that Alex Hunter, the protagonist of The Journey mode, will return in this open world. For players accustomed to menu-based controls for years, FC The Grounds will undoubtedly offer an unprecedented immersive experience.
Ultimate Team Changes
Besides The Grounds, FUT 27 is rumored to be undergoing significant changes to its core mode, Ultimate Team. According to several well-known leakers, both Evolutions and Squad Building Challenges will undergo a major overhaul.
Evolutions Customization
The changes to Evolutions are particularly noteworthy. Players will be able to choose between multiple upgrade paths within a single evolution. For example, an evolution path might contain three stages. After completing each stage, players can choose different upgrade options to strengthen the selected cards.
This means that even if two players use the same evolution, they may end up with completely different cards. This will undoubtedly greatly enhance the personalization and strategic depth of team building. Even more considerate, players will also gain the ability to undo or reset evolved versions; if they are not satisfied with their previous upgrade choices, they can revert and start over.
Squad Building Challenges Upgrade
Squad Building Challenges (SBC) is a single-player game mode in FC series that requires players to build teams that meet specific requirements and submit them to earn generous rewards upon completion.
In FUT 27, SBC will introduce a brand-new SBC point system, assigning a certain number of points to each player card. SBC no longer require submitting lineups with specific ratings; instead, they require a certain total number of points.
For example, for an SBC requiring 3000 points, players can submit 11 low-rated players to reach the required points, or they can submit a single high-rated top-tier card to meet the requirement. Furthermore, players can submit the same card multiple times within a single SBC. These changes are expected to significantly reduce the time cost of building an SBC, resulting in a smoother experience.
The Gallery
FIFA 27 will also introduce a collection system called The Gallery. Its function is similar to Collection Book in earlier games in the series - players can submit their collected cards for rating and receive FC 27 coins based on the rating results. Submitted cards will not affect their normal use in Ultimate Team.
More New Content
Hall of Fame
EA Sports FC 27 is rumored to introduce a new rarity level for cards - Hall of Fame. Unlike the Icons, which honor the greatest legends in football history, and the Heroes, who recognize outstanding performances in specific moments, the Hall of Fame will focus on players who, while not having legendary careers, have left a deep impression on fans.
According to the current leaked list, players being tested for inclusion in this new card type include Mario Balotelli, Alexandre Pato, Hulk, and Adebayo Akinfenwa. These players may never have won the Ballon d'Or, but they have become indelible memories for fans through their unique personal charm, unforgettable moments, or iconic on-field performances.
New Player Roles
FIFA 27 adds four new Player Roles: Wide Back, Inverted Wingback, Box Crasher, and Ball-Playing Keeper. This brings the total number of Player Roles in the game to 31, with 3-5 roles available for each position.
Furthermore, the penalties for playing players outside their designated position have been significantly reduced. Thanks to the new Versatile Focus option, players are no longer strictly limited by role restrictions during matches, offering greater flexibility. From the revolutionary open world of FC The Grounds to the reconstruction of Evolutions and SBC, and the all-new Hall of Fame, EA Sports FC 27 is sketching a bold blueprint for innovation with a dazzling array of rumors. Will the game truly meet our expectations upon release? We'll have to wait and see!