‘A football playground built for you and your friends’: The Grounds in FC 27 is EA’s answer to NBA 2K’s The City — and it could be just what the franchise needs

EA Sports is shaking up the football gaming landscape with FC 27's innovative feature, The Grounds. The new mode reimagines the developer's popular Clubs mode, borrowing elements from NBA 2K's The City. It takes players on a journey through three distinct districts - Parkside, Zeiza, and Montclair, each representing a unique football culture.

These districts are populated by online players and AI 'mentors' such as Kylian Mbappé, Paulo Dybala, Chloe Kelly, and Alex Hunter. The Grounds offers a variety of match types, from traditional 11v11 games to smaller-scale modes like 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, and 4v4. Casual players can enjoy party-style Kickabout modes, including dribbling-based obstacle courses and a basketball-inspired Bucket Ball.

Even if players don't want to face competition, Drop Kick Targets provide a fun alternative, where floating neon circles act as goals while walking down the street. As players progress through matches, Kickabouts, or Drop Kick Targets, they earn Coins and Archetype XP, leveling up their virtual pro in The Grounds. The Grounds introduces new gameplay elements such as Playstyles, stat boosts, and fully licensed virtual clothing from brands like Nike, Puma, and New Balance.

While the mode might feel similar to NBA 2K's The City mode, it offers a fresh twist for the FC franchise, which has struggled to carve out its own identity post-FIFA. However, the success of The Grounds largely depends on whether players will continue to return to the streets for challenges, basketball hoop kicks, or virtual clothing shopping long after the game's launch. Only time will tell if EA Sports can maintain players' interest in this new addition to FC 27.