Electronic Arts has released its first in-depth look at EA SPORTS FC 27's gameplay, outlining a wide range of improvements designed to give players more control over every match. In the latest Pitch Notes, Principal Gameplay Designer Gilliard Lopes explained that FC 27 places a greater emphasis on manual skill, rewarding players for smart decision-making instead of relying on automated systems.

The update touches nearly every aspect of gameplay, including defending, attacking movement, crossing, passing, dribbling, and PlayStyles. According to EA, many of these changes were inspired directly by community feedback requesting less automation and a more skill-based football experience.

Manual Defending Takes Center Stage

One of the biggest gameplay changes in FC 27 is the overhaul of defending.

EA has significantly reduced the effectiveness of AI-controlled defenders, meaning teammates will no longer automatically win possession as frequently. Instead, AI defenders will focus on maintaining positioning and supporting defensive shape while players are encouraged to manually switch defenders and time tackles themselves.

To balance this shift, manually controlled defenders have received several improvements, including:

• Faster jockeying speed
• Increased stand tackle range
• Greater rewards for good positioning and timing
• Improved defensive responsiveness

The result is intended to make defending feel more rewarding for players who actively control their back line rather than relying on AI assistance.

Corner Kicks Become More Interactive

Set pieces have received one of the most significant redesigns in FC 27.

After selecting the delivery target, the camera now shifts toward the penalty area, giving players direct control over attackers before the cross arrives. During this brief window, players can:

• Move freely
• Switch between attackers
• Make attacking runs
• Shield defenders
• Use the new Avoidance mechanic to create space

Avoidance allows players to weave through crowded areas before the ball is delivered, creating more dynamic battles for positioning inside the box. EA says the system should produce more varied goals and reward players who manually create scoring opportunities.

Crossing and Heading Receive a Major Rework

Crossing has also been redesigned to provide greater freedom.

Rather than automatically locking onto teammates, crosses are now delivered into open space more often. Accuracy depends heavily on the player's aim and power, rewarding precision while making poorly placed crosses more likely to miss their intended target.

Headers have been adjusted as well.

Clean headers now require more precise positioning and timing, but successful attempts are intended to feel more satisfying and accurate than before, leading to a wider variety of finishing animations and outcomes.

Smarter Attacking Movement

Attacking AI has received substantial upgrades through a new Attacking Spatial Awareness system.

According to EA, attackers now make smarter curved runs, react more naturally to available space, and avoid running directly into defenders. These contextual movements are designed to create more authentic attacking sequences while giving players additional options in the final third.

FC 27 also introduces several new run mechanics, including:

• Triggered Curved Runs, allowing attackers to bend their movement around defenders.
• Pass & Follow Runs, where the passer automatically follows their pass with an intelligent supporting run.
• Limited Triggered Runs, preventing teammates from sprinting endlessly across the pitch and encouraging more deliberate attacking play.

Together, these systems are intended to make off-ball movement more tactical and realistic.

Passing Now Rewards Precision

Passing has become significantly more manual in FC 27.

Ground and lobbed through balls no longer receive heavy directional assistance, instead traveling much more closely to the player's intended input. Similarly, dinked passes have been converted into fully manual mechanics where success depends on both aim and power.

EA says these adjustments create a fairer balance between attacking creativity and defensive anticipation while increasing the overall skill ceiling.

New Off-Balance Dribbling

Another notable addition is Off-Balance Dribbling.

Elite dribblers with high Balance, Agility, and Dribbling attributes can now maintain possession even after physical contact. Rather than immediately losing control when bumped or challenged, these players enter new stumbling animations while still allowing users to continue dribbling.

This feature will be available on:

• PlayStation 5
• Xbox Series X|S
• PC
• Nintendo Switch 2

PlayStyles Rebalanced

EA has also reworked numerous PlayStyles to reduce the gap between special abilities and core player attributes.

Several PlayStyles—including Finesse Shot, Technical Dribbler, Rapid, Quick Step, Pinged Pass, Tiki Taka, Jockey, Precision Header, and Low Driven—have been adjusted so player ratings play a larger role in determining performance rather than relying heavily on PlayStyle bonuses.

According to EA, this should result in better overall balance while preserving each PlayStyle's unique identity.

A Gameplay Philosophy Focused on Player Skill

Throughout the Pitch Notes, EA repeatedly emphasizes one central goal: giving players greater influence over what happens on the pitch.

Whether manually winning the ball, creating space with intelligent attacking runs, delivering accurate crosses, or finishing difficult headers, FC 27 aims to reward player decisions more consistently than previous entries.

Final Thoughts

Based on the first Gameplay Deep Dive, EA SPORTS FC 27 appears to be one of the franchise's most gameplay-focused updates in recent years. By reducing AI automation, expanding manual control, and refining nearly every core mechanic, EA is attempting to create a more competitive and authentic football experience.

Whether these changes resonate with players will become clear once the game launches, but the Pitch Notes suggest FC 27 is built around one clear philosophy: your decisions—not the AI—should determine the outcome of every match.