- Primary Subject: EA Sports FC 27 (FC The Grounds Trademark)
- Key Update: EA filed a trademark for “FC The Grounds,” believed to be linked to a rumored open-world or social hub mode.
- Status: Leaked
- Last Verified: January 28, 2026
- Quick Answer: EA trademarked “FC The Grounds,” widely linked to EA FC 27’s rumored open-world social hub featuring shared spaces and themed Districts instead of menu-based mode selection.
Electronic Arts appears set to reshape the EA Sports FC experience in its next flagship release, which many expect to be EA FC 27.
EA filed a trademark for “FC The Grounds” on January 23, 2026, and it’s widely thought to be tied to the game’s rumored open-world or social hub mode.
According to the Justia filing, the trademark includes a stylized “FC” logo in a slanted triangular design next to The Grounds, covering downloadable games and online entertainment offerings.
How Long Have Open-World Rumors Been Circulating?
The timing of this trademark is interesting because fans and insiders have been speculating for months that EA Sports wants to introduce an open-world component to the franchise.
As leaks from late 2025 suggested, developers have been quietly experimenting with a mode where players don’t just pick game types from menus but instead walk around in a shared environment and access various activities from within that space.
This rumored mode isn’t expected to be a traditional narrative or RPG style world. It appears to follow the model seen in other sports titles, including NBA 2K’s The City and similar social hubs across 2K releases.
These modes allow players to exist in a continuous online setting with their own avatar, discovering matches and interactions naturally through exploration instead of list-based navigation.
What Are the Reported “Districts” in the Mode?
According to leaks, the open environment in EA FC could be organized into unique districts inspired by real-world football nations and styles.
Instead of using a standard menu to select modes, players would move through these areas to find minigames, social spots, and unique event activities.
These Districts could serve both as meeting places and functional entry points into competitive or casual football activities.
Trademark filings like this often happen well before an official announcement, so while the listing doesn’t confirm gameplay specifics, it does indicate that EA intends to use this brand as part of its future communications, marketing, and game structure.
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