EA FC 27 introduces The Grounds, a new open-world social space that gives players more ways to interact beyond traditional matches. Here’s everything we know about the FC 27 open world, including The Grounds, its map, activities, multiplayer features, and its connection to other parts of the game. Let’s dive in.
FC 27 Open World: Quick Overview
Here’s a quick overview of what to expect from the FC 27 open world:
| Feature | Details |
| Open-World Experience | The Grounds, FC 27’s shared football playground focused on social play, activities, and Clubs. |
| Players in The Grounds | Up to 100 players can come together in the shared world. |
| Main Hub | The Terrace connects the three districts and provides access to the Clubhouse, information kiosks, and The Grounds Store. |
| Districts | Montclair, Zeiza, and Parkside, each inspired by a different football culture. |
| Clubs | Clubs are at the heart of The Grounds, with Leagues, Playoffs, Club Tournaments, and other competitive experiences. |
| Small-Sided Football | Play 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, and Rush matches on pitches throughout The Grounds. |
| Kickabouts | Includes activities such as Bocce Ball, Team Keepaway, The Big Race, Attacking Scenarios, Bucket Ball, Balloon Ball, Goal Control, and Drop Kick Targets. |
| Map Exploration | The Grounds is a shared world with different districts, social spaces, activities, and stadium access points to explore. |
| Football Mentors | Alex Hunter, Kylian Mbappé, Chloe Kelly, and Paulo Dybala guide players through different parts of The Grounds. |
| Progression | Players can develop Archetypes, unlock Masteries, use Amps and Consumables, complete Club Objectives, and earn seasonal rewards. |
| Customization | Customize your street and stadium looks with clothing, accessories, emotes, and other cosmetics. |
| Live Content | The Grounds will evolve through seasons, campaigns, live updates, new activities, rewards, and in-world events. |
| Platforms | The Grounds is available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. |
| Release Date | September 25, 2026, when EA SPORTS FC 27 launches globally. |
What Is The Grounds in FC 27?
The Grounds is the new open-world social football experience in EA FC 27, bringing up to 100 players together in a shared football playground.
It is built around The Terrace and three distinct districts, with Clubs at the heart of the experience.
Players can meet friends, explore the world, play small-sided football, take part in Kickabouts, interact with football mentors, and access different Clubs and Stadium experiences.
The Grounds is designed to evolve throughout the year with new seasons, campaigns, activities, rewards, and live events.
In simple words, unlike a traditional open-world game, FC 27 is not completely open-world. Instead, The Grounds is a dedicated open-world area within the game, mainly focused on Clubs and social football.
What can you do in FC 27’s open world?
In FC 27 The Grounds, you can:
- Explore the shared football world and move between its different districts and areas.
- Visit The Terrace, the central hub connecting the three districts.
- Enter your Clubhouse and access Clubs gameplay.
- Play 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, and Rush small-sided matches.
- Take part in Kickabouts with friends and other players.
- Play Kickabout activities including Bocce Ball, Team Keepaway, The Big Race, Attacking Scenarios, Bucket Ball, Balloon Ball, Goal Control, and Drop Kick Targets.
- Find Drop Kick Targets around the world and complete objectives to earn rewards.
- Meet Alex Hunter, Kylian Mbappé, Chloe Kelly, and Paulo Dybala as football mentors.
- Take part in Club Leagues, Playoffs, and Club Tournaments.
- Access 11v11 Drop-In, Rush, and Stadium events.
- Complete Club Objectives with your teammates.
- Develop your player through Archetypes and Masteries.
- Customize your character with clothing, accessories, and emotes.
- Earn Season Points and unlock rewards through the Season Pass.
- Experience changing activities, rewards, and environments through live events and seasonal updates.
Can You Freely Explore The Grounds?
Yes, you can roam around. The Grounds is designed as an explorable open-world space rather than simply another menu. You can move around the environment, visit different areas, and find activities throughout The Grounds.
What Activities Can You Play in FC 27 The Grounds? Kickabout Activities Explained
FC 27 The Grounds features a variety of casual football activities and Kickabouts that players can enjoy while exploring the open-world environment. These activities give players more ways to play outside traditional matches and include:
- Bocce Ball: A precision-based game where players aim to place or knock balls closest to a target point.
- Team Keepaway: A passing-focused mode where one team tries to maintain possession while the other attempts to intercept.
- The Big Race: A fast-paced sprint challenge across the open world with obstacles and checkpoints.
- Attacking Scenarios: Situational drills where players must create and finish goal-scoring opportunities under pressure.
- Bucket Ball: A target-based activity where players aim to land the ball into elevated or moving buckets.
- Balloon Ball: A lighthearted mode in which players try to control and score with a floating ball whose movement is unpredictable.
- Goal Control: A precision shooting challenge focused on hitting specific zones or targets within the goal.
- Drop Kick Targets: A skill-based activity where players must accurately drop-kick the ball into designated target areas.
Is The Grounds Available in All FC 27 Editions?
Yes, The Grounds is available in all editions of EA FC 27 on supported platforms. You don’t need to purchase a specific premium edition to access the FC 27 open-world experience.
If you’re deciding which FC 27 edition to buy, check out our EA FC 27 Editions & Prices guide to compare the Standard, Ultimate, and Ultimate Plus editions, including their prices, bonuses, features, and much more.
FC 27 The Grounds Map
The FC 27 open-world map is built around a central area called The Terrace, which connects three distinct districts: Montclair, Zeiza, and Parkside. Each district has its own football-inspired identity and environment, while the wider Grounds also contains the Clubhouse, stadium access points, social spaces, stores, and activities.
What Areas Are Available in The Grounds?
The Grounds map consists of a central Terrace, three districts, the Clubhouse, stadium access points, social spaces, and various activities spread throughout the world.
- The Terrace: The central hub of The Grounds. It connects all three districts and gives players access to the Clubhouse Entrance, information kiosks, and The Grounds Store.
- The Clubhouse: The home of the FC 27 Clubs experience, where players can access Clubs gameplay. Its appearance can change based on your Club’s customization and identity.
- Montclair: A French-inspired district featuring cage pitches and a metropolitan setting.
- Zeiza: An Argentine-inspired district built around the Potrero spirit, combining European and Latin-style architecture.
- Parkside: A district inspired by the working-class football heritage of the UK.
- 11v11 Stadium Access: Provides access to 11v11 Drop-In from The Grounds.
FC 27 The Grounds Mentors
In FC 27 The Grounds, Mentors are football icons who guide your progress and help shape your playstyle. Each one focuses on a different type of football and offers unique rewards.
Kylian Mbappé
Mbappé focuses on speed and attacking. He helps you improve pace, finishing, and fast counter-attacks.
Chloe Kelly
Chloe Kelly focuses on skill and creativity. She improves dribbling, agility, and close control.
Paulo Dybala
Dybala focuses on technique and playmaking. He improves passing, vision, and long-range finishing.
Alex Hunter
Alex Hunter focuses on balanced development. He helps you improve all areas of your game and suits players who want an all-round playstyle.
Each Mentor gives you a different way to develop your player in FC 27 The Grounds.
FC 27 The Grounds Customization
FC 27 The Grounds takes customization beyond traditional menus by integrating it directly into the open-world experience. As you explore different districts, complete activities, and play Kickabouts, you’ll unlock new cosmetic items and customization options that reflect your progress and playstyle.
Many of these customization features are tied to progression systems like Archetypes, Season rewards, and Club objectives, meaning the more you play in The Grounds, the more unique your player and Club become.
How Does Customization Work in FC 27 The Grounds?
In FC 27 The Grounds, you can change how your player and your Club look so everything feels more personal. It’s all about showing your style while you play and explore the open world.
You can customize things like:
- Player clothing – choose outfits for your character
- Accessories – add items like hats, gloves, and more
- Emotes – use animations to express yourself
- Street and stadium appearance – change how your surroundings look
- Club identity – set your team’s style and branding
- Clubhouse customization – design your Club’s shared space
These options help make your experience in The Grounds feel unique to you and your Club.
Can You Play FC 27 Clubs in The Grounds?
Yes. Clubs are at the heart of The Grounds in FC 27. The Clubs experience now exists within The Grounds, with players able to enter their Clubhouse and access Leagues and Playoffs.
Clubs also introduces Club Tournaments, which are 11v11 competitions featuring different rounds, rules, and rewards. The Grounds also provides access to Stadium Drop-In experiences, including 11v11 Drop-In, Stadium Rush, and Rush Live Tournaments.
This means The Grounds isn’t separate from Clubs. Instead, EA has built The Grounds around the Clubs experience, giving players a social space to meet, play activities, access competitive modes, and progress their Club.
Can You Explore an Open World in FC 27 Career Mode?
No, FC 27 Career Mode does not have the same open-world exploration as The Grounds. The FC 27 open-world experience is The Grounds, which is primarily built around Clubs, social activities, small-sided football, and exploring its different areas.
Career Mode remains a separate game mode, focused on managing or playing through a football career rather than freely roaming around an open-world map.
Is FC 27 The Grounds Multiplayer?
Yes, The Grounds is a multiplayer-focused experience in FC 27. It is designed as a shared football playground where players can meet friends, play together, and take part in different football activities.
You can team up with friends in Clubs, play 1v1s and Kickabouts, and take part in other activities across The Grounds. EA also lists online multiplayer and online co-op among FC 27’s features.
The important point is that The Grounds isn’t simply a single-player open-world map. Its social and multiplayer features are a major part of the experience, connecting players through casual activities and the wider FC 27 Clubs experience.
FC 27 The Grounds Platforms
The Grounds in FC 27 is available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. EA confirms that The Grounds, including Clubs, is only available on these current-generation versions of the game.
Players on PS4, Xbox One, and the original Nintendo Switch can play FC 27, but they will not have access to The Grounds or Clubs.
| Platform | The Grounds |
| PS5 | Yes |
| Xbox Series X|S | Yes |
| PC | Yes |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Yes |
| PS4 | No |
| Xbox One | No |
| Nintendo Switch | No |
What are your thoughts on the FC 27 open world? Use the comments section as a discussion and let us know what you think! And for more gaming and FC guides, news, and more, don’t forget to check out Driffle Blog.
