EA SPORTS FC 27 Review: Better Football, Same Old Problems?

EA SPORTS FC 27 launched on September 25, 2026, and the verdict is in: this is the most skill-focused version of EA's football series in years, wrapped in a package that still feels like an annual update. Critics have been mostly positive, while players on Steam are split almost down the middle. This review pulls together the critic consensus, two weeks of player feedback and EA's own launch data to answer one question: is FC 27 worth your money?

EA SPORTS FC 27 Review Scores at a Glance

• OpenCritic: 79 Top Critic Average, with 73% of critics recommending it (52 reviews).

• Metacritic (PS5): 75, "Generally Favorable," from 55 critic reviews.

• Steam users: "Mixed," with about 52% positive from roughly 7,500 reviews.

• Highest scores: Destructoid 9/10, SpazioGames 8.8, DualShockers 8.5/10.

• Lowest major scores: IGN 7/10 and Game Informer 7.25/10.

You can see the full list of outlets on OpenCritic's FC 27 review page.

Watch: EA SPORTS FC 27 in Action

Here is the official FC 27 launch trailer, which shows the new attacking movement, Manager Career and The Grounds.

Want to see full matches? EA's official channel streamed more than 100 minutes of gameplay, including exhibition matches and a Zlatan vs. Henry penalty shootout. You can watch the FC 27 first gameplay livestream on Twitch.

Gameplay: More Skill, Less AI

On the pitch, FC 27 is a clear step forward. The biggest change is defending. AI-assisted defending has been dialed back, so reading a pass and stepping in manually now matters more. Game Informer said cutting out an opponent's pass "feels great," and Destructoid wrote that "skill comes to the forefront" this year.

Attacking has improved too. Teammates make smarter curved runs that keep them onside, and through balls need more accurate aim, which rewards good passers. COGconnected summed it up well: less AI help in defense plus better attacking movement makes for more engaging matches.

It is not perfect. Player switching can still pick the wrong defender, CPU teammates sometimes make poor decisions, and several reviewers called goalkeeping the game's weak spot. On Steam, some players say passing feels off and the manual defending system has divided the community.

Career Mode: The Best It Has Been in Years

Manager Career is where FC 27 earns its strongest praise. DualShockers said that for club managers "no better game exists." New features include:

• Dynamic Overall Ratings: player ratings now rise and fall during a season based on form, which makes squad planning easier.

• Realistic transfer values: fees and wages are closer to real-world football.

• Negotiation "Tension" meter: shows how close a deal is to collapsing.

• Unexpected events: rival clubs can sign your targets and force you to change plans.

The main launch complaint was players asking for transfers without warning, even when happy. EA fixed that in Title Update 1.0.3, covered in our FC 27 Update 1.0.3 news report. Player Career is weaker: its new rivalry system is mostly stat comparisons in menus.

Ultimate Team: Friendlier Than Before

Ultimate Team is less of a grind at the start. You begin with more coins and tradeable items, the new FUT Gallery lets you build themed card sets that re-grade as you add better players, and Squad Building Challenges are simpler. EA says coin balances are more than 50% higher than at the same point last year, and the Store now has fewer, more focused offers. Spending on packs is still part of the mode, so set yourself a budget if you play it seriously.

The Grounds: Big Idea, Thin Execution

The Grounds is FC 27's headline addition: a social hub with districts inspired by Paris, Buenos Aires and suburban Britain where you play 1v1, 2v2 and 3v3 matches. It is available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Switch 2.

Critics are mixed. Hardcore Gamer liked it, but Game Informer found it "underdeveloped" next to NBA 2K's City, and TheSixthAxis said it "needs expansion." Matchmaking has been the biggest problem, since some Kickabout activities struggle to find enough players. EA has promised a Winner Stays system and better matchmaking, so this mode may improve over the season.

Presentation and Platforms

FC 27 runs on EA's Frostbite engine and includes more than 21,000 licensed players, 800+ clubs and 140+ stadiums, which is still the deepest license list in football gaming. Visual upgrades over FC 26 are small, and a common player complaint is that it looks and feels too similar to last year. On Switch 2, Nintendo Life scored it 8/10 and praised the on-pitch play, though The Grounds is less useful there because of its online focus. PS4, Xbox One and original Switch players do not get The Grounds.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Manual defending and smarter attacking runs reward skill.

• The strongest Manager Career Mode in years.

• A friendlier Ultimate Team start, with more coins and a simpler SBC flow.

• Unmatched licenses: 21,000+ players and 800+ clubs.

• EA is avoiding big early balance changes, so the gameplay you buy should stay stable.

Cons

• The Grounds feels thin and has had matchmaking problems.

• Goalkeeping and CPU teammate decisions are inconsistent.

• Small visual changes over FC 26.

• Player Career's new rivalry system is basic.

• Ultimate Team still pushes paid packs.

Is EA SPORTS FC 27 Worth Buying?

Buy it if you play Manager Career, care about competitive on-pitch play, or skipped FC 26. The football itself is better than it has been in years. If you already own FC 26 and mainly play casually, the upgrade is smaller, and waiting for a discount makes sense. You can try the free FC 27 Lite preview on Steam first, which includes modes such as Kick-Off.

Full price on Steam is $69.99 for the Standard Edition, but third-party key sellers often go lower. You can compare EA SPORTS FC 27 key prices across verified sellers to find the cheapest edition for your platform.

FAQ

What is EA SPORTS FC 27's review score?

FC 27 has a Top Critic Average of 79 on OpenCritic and a Metascore of 75 on PlayStation 5. Steam user reviews are Mixed, at about 52% positive.

Is FC 27 better than FC 26?

Most critics say yes on the pitch, mainly because of improved manual defending and attacking runs, plus a deeper Manager Career. Many players feel the overall package is too similar to FC 26.

Is The Grounds worth playing?

It is fun for quick small-sided games with friends, but critics found it thin at launch and matchmaking has been inconsistent. EA has promised updates, including a Winner Stays system.

Is there a free version of FC 27?

Yes. EA SPORTS FC 27 Lite is a free-to-download preview on Steam that lets you try selected modes, such as Kick-Off, and upgrade to the full game later.

Which platforms is FC 27 on?

FC 27 is on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. The Grounds is only on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Switch 2.