EA FC 27 is on track to release this September. After listening to the community feedback on the previous installment, the developers are completely overhauling several gameplay mechanics and adding brand-new features in EA Sports FC 27. So, here are all the new EA Sports FC 27 kickoff and Ultimate Team features that have me hyped.
FUT Gallery
The EA FC 27 release date is set in stone, and the first thing everyone, including me, is excited to try out is the revamped FUT. The Ultimate Team is finally getting a much-needed rework to make life easier for players like me grinding all the time.
The latest addition, FUT Gallery, has caught everyone’s attention. As the title suggests, players can finally create a gallery of the player cards they have worked so hard to earn. Fortunately, players who left your club have a spot on the FUT Gallery.
So, you can put all your favorite cards on display and earn exciting rewards, such as cosmetics, Gallery Tokens, Kits, and Badges. In addition, you can also make progress in your FUT Gallery by building Gallery Sets. For example, you can create an 11 from only the Premier League.
You can improve the set grade of your Gallery Set, which will also improve the Gallery’s level. The newly introduced Holographic cards look like a work of art as well. Everything has been beautifully tied up to various rewards, so I believe it will be satisfying to put in the work and create a gallery of your favorite cards.
Simplified SBCs
Complete SBCs can become quite a headache; thankfully, EA is taking necessary steps to simplify them in EA FC 27. Thankfully, I no longer have to worry too much about chemistry, position, EA FC 27 player ratings, etc.
Now, the eligible cards are displayed on the front, and you need to pick the ones you want until you reach the desired score to complete the challenge. If all the new EA FC 27 features pique your interest, check out our EA FC 27 pre-order guide to pre-order the right edition for you.
FUT Evolutions
Evolutions are one of my favorite aspects in FUT, which helps me bring out the best in the players in my club. Earlier in EA FC 26 Evolutions, there used to be one designated path in evolutions, but that’s finally changing in EA FC 27. The new Evo pathways are exactly what I’ve been waiting for, as it finally offers players the choice to choose the upgrade path they desire.
Moreover, the Evolution Chain Preview gives players a clear idea of the evo routes they want to undertake before committing to one by allowing them to preview potential Evolution Chains. So, I don’t have to strain my brain when it comes to evos, as I can pick exactly what evolutions I need for my players.
Single Player Live Events
Offline Single Player Live Events aren’t a dream anymore in EA FC 27. Yes, everyone can clash against the AI in the all-new Single Player Live Events featuring custom squads, unique rules, and specific squad requirements. Every opponent is themed after certain events, so it’s not the same boring match against a CPU all the time.
This new mode also presents you with interconnected challenges, easy requirements, and selectable difficulties. So, I can start with an easy challenge at first and continue to increase the level of challenge as I progress and earn rewards accordingly.
The Grounds
Following several teases, EA has revealed the new open-world section, The Grounds, in EA FC 27. It is home to three different districts, each inspired by a specific football culture around the world. Although I wasn’t sure about an open world, these features of The Grounds got me hooked:
- Terrace: The main hub of the open world connecting all three districts.
- Districts: Montclair (France), Zeiza (Argentina), and Parkside (UK).
- Stadiums: 11v11 Stadium and Rush Stadium access.
- Mentors: Four new mentors will take players under their wings to guide them through all the new features in The Grounds. Each mentor has expertise in a specific field.
- Alex Hunter (Player Improvement Challenges), Kylian Mbappe (Local Football Activities), Chloe Kelly (World Activities), and Paulo Dybala (Clubs) are the new mentors.
- The Clubhouse: The Clubs experience is integrated into The Grounds now. The Clubs Stadium, Clubhouse entrance, etc can be customized right here
In addition, The Grounds mode offers a variety of different modes to play in EA FC 27. Here are all the major modes I’m excited to try out in The Grounds:
- Clubs Live Tournament: new 11v11 competitions supporting different modes, including Mystery Ball, King of the Hill, No Rules, Headers and Volleys, Survival, and Long Range.
- Small-Sided Local Football Activities: Quick 3-minute 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, and Rush matches on different pitches on The Grounds.
- Kickabouts: Multiple sports collide in Kickabouts. Football is blended with other sports such as Basketball, Dodgeball, Bocce Ball, etc to create a fun experience.
- Team Keepaway: 3-minute 3v3 mode where the team with the longest possession wins.
- The Big Race: A 4-player race where players need to complete three different challenges involving dribble races.
- Attacking Scenario: A 2v2 competitive mode in which players have to score goals based on a set of requirements.
- Bucket Ball: Another 2v2 mode, but replace the traditional goalposts with Basketball hoops. Players can only score with shots such as Precision Lob Pass, Precision Header, and Spikes.
- Balloon Ball: Four-player free-for-all mode in which players need to protect their balloons while also attacking others’ balloons with the ball. The last remaining player with the most balloons wins.
- Goal Control: A new 1v1 competitive game with eight goal posts. Players with the most goals after completing three rounds (each 1 minute) win.
- Drop Kick Targets: Numerous targets in the form of circles, pentagons, and rings are scattered across the open-world arena. Players can summon a ball anytime and try to shoot the targets to complete objectives.
Apart from these modes, which will be available at launch, EA has also confirmed that The Grounds will continue to receive new modes, activities, etc, regularly via updates.
Improved Manual Defending
EA Sports FC 26 emphasized AI Defending over Manual Defending, which left me and the OG players disappointed. Now that’s finally changing in EA Sports FC 27, as developers have added plenty of new tools for Manual Defending.
- When defending manually, players have a larger tackling, interception, and blocking range than ever before.
- So, instead of watching AI attempt a tackle and fumble the ball, players can control individuals manually and quickly intercept or block the ball.
- Defenders’ jockey speed has also been increased.
- Players can now read opponents’ movements, position themselves, and opt for a better tackle.
- Teammate containment and team press in the defensive third have been adjusted.
- AI can now maintain a solid defensive position while players can take control and defend properly.
In a nutshell, the over-reliance on AI defending has been completely toned down, which is a huge relief to me. The game gives complete freedom to players who prefer defending manually, and they can successfully defend if they play their cards right.
Reinvented Corners
I’ve been waiting for the corner system to get revamped in EA FC games. Now, you can no longer leave Corner Kicks to luck, as devs have completely revamped the Corner system in EA Sports FC 2027 along with a new mechanic.
- Corner Kicks are divided into two stages now.
- Stage 1: You can set up your pass with the Corner Taker.
- Stage 2: Once the pass is set, you can then take control of the camera and players inside the penalty box.
- Avoidance: A new mechanic where attackers can now push hard against defenders to come to the right place to score during a Corner Kick
For example, I can take control of Kylian Mbappe, the EA Sports FC 27 cover star, during a Corner Kick, adjust my position to trick the defenders, and then score from the right position. So, Corner Kicks will be one of the exciting set pieces in EA Sports FC 27, and I can’t wait to try it out.
Creative Runs
If you are like me, you were also getting tired of attacking AI failing to utilize the open spaces to make a clear run. Now, I don’t have to worry anymore, as EA FC 27 features an overhauled AI with the following features:
- Attacking Spatial Awareness: All attackers in EA FC 27 are said to possess better awareness. So you won’t be getting into offside options more frequently.
- Curve Runs: Attacking AI can now make curved runs and slip into gaps in defense to get to a better scoring position, as teased earlier in the EA FC 27 trailer.
- The new curved runs can be triggered manually by pressing L1 + R1.
- Moreover, players can now perform Pass & Follow curved runs by pressing L1 + R1 + X.
- It should also be noted that manually triggered runs only last for a limited distance.
- Attacking AI can also perform creative runs automatically without any manual triggers.
Off-Balance Dribbling
Finally, the dribbling system is also getting an overdue update in EA Sports FC 27. In the latest EA FC installment, elite dribblers like Vini Jr, who also has his Vini Fortnite skin, can shine on the field.
- Dribble past opponents even when they are knocked off balance due to a shoulder challenge or direct collision.
- A new Off-Balance Dribbling animation has been added to the game for the world’s best dribblers, including Lamine Yamal, Musiala, Olise, etc.
- So dribblers can keep their heads cool even when their balance collapses on the field.
Surprisingly, EA has confirmed that the new Off-Balance Dribbling feature in EA FC 27 won’t be available for old-gen consoles such as PS4, Xbox One, and Switch (which was recently discontinued in Europe), similar to the New Grounds mode.
New Skill Moves
I always look forward to receiving new skill moves in the latest EA FC installments. Thankfully, developers have confirmed that new, never-before-seen skills are being introduced in EA Sports FC 27.
Thus, skilled players can look forward to unleashing even more chaos on the battlefield with the all-new skills in the game. Although the EA FC team hasn’t yet revealed the full list of new skills in the game, rumors suggest that skills such as Fake Turn, Ball Roll Spin, Stepover Combo, and Kneel Header will be available in the game soon.
While all these new features sound good on paper, getting to try them out when the game comes out this September will be even better. So, what is your new favorite feature of EA FC 27? Let us know in the comments below.
