EA Sports has strongly hinted at an open-world mode for EA FC 27 with the newly revealed Standard Edition cover featuring Kylian Mbappe. The long-rumored feature, known as The Grounds, has been a topic of discussion among leakers and fans, expected to function as a social hub similar to The City in NBA 2K or The Island from WWE 2K, replacing static menus with a living football city.
Cover Art Reveals Hidden Details
The new artwork, featuring Mbappe as the cover star, includes numerous Easter eggs pointing to new features. EA Sports challenged fans on social media to spot these details, captioning posts with "Built from The Grounds up. The #FC27 Standard Edition is here" – the clearest indication that The Grounds is real.
The map for The Grounds is reportedly divided into districts modeled after famous football cities like London, Paris, and Rio de Janeiro, with iconic landmarks visible in the cover.
Easter Eggs and Features
Among the hidden details are signs pointing to dynamic live ratings, a new mini-game, a balloon kickabout session, the return of AFC Richmond (officially licensed in FIFA 23), and a possible return of Alex Hunter, a decade after his debut in FIFA 17. References to the Paris Metro, a building called The Clubhouse, and a red London bus also hint at locations and features within The Grounds.
