EA Sports invited Push Square to preview FC 27, ahead of its 25th September launch, with the standout addition being "The Grounds" — a new social sandbox mode exclusive to next-gen versions of the game. Unlike previous instalments, which have often faced criticism for feeling too similar to their predecessors, this mode marks a genuine departure for the series, borrowing heavily from NBA 2K's popular open-world social hub format, and the writer is curious how the long-running fanbase will respond to such an unfamiliar addition.

The Grounds is split into three districts themed around the UK, France and Argentina, letting players explore as an avatar and access traditional 11-a-side Clubs matches via a central stadium, alongside smaller pitches for one-on-ones, five-a-sides and minigames such as obstacle courses. EA Sports plans to treat it as a live service, adding new content and seasonal events, such as a Halloween theme already shown in development, and the world includes collectibles and branded shops selling digital gear from brands including Puma and Adidas. A reader poll accompanying the article found scepticism dominant, with 47% saying they don't care about FC 27 and 30% calling the mode a waste of resources, against just 5% enthusiastic about trying it.