FC 27 introduces community-driven gameplay innovations designed to provide greater control, more intelligent movement and a more authentic representation of football. From attacking runs and passing to dribbling, defending, corners and offline matches, we break down the most important gameplay features below.
New FC 27 Gameplay Features
EA Sports FC 27 builds on the two gameplay presets introduced in FC 26 while placing greater responsibility in the hands of the player. Smarter attacking movement creates more natural options in possession, manual defending becomes more important, skilled dribblers can withstand physical challenges and redesigned set pieces offer greater control inside the box.
Attacking Spatial Awareness
AI-controlled attackers now recognise open spaces and developing attacks more effectively. Instead of repeatedly running into crowded areas, teammates make smarter and more contextual curved runs that create useful passing angles and better support each attacking move.
Automatic Creative Runs also consider available space, defensive positioning and the offside line. For example, a winger can initially move parallel to the defensive line to remain onside before curving forward once the pass is played.
Triggered Curved Runs
FC 27 introduces Triggered Curved Runs, giving players greater control over off-the-ball movement. While a regular triggered run sends a teammate forward on a direct path, a curved run directs them towards available space and can help them move around defenders.
To trigger a curved run, tap L1 and R1 on PlayStation or LB and RB on Xbox. These runs may take longer to complete because the player follows a wider path.
The new Pass & Follow command lets the player who has just passed the ball continue with a curved run. Depending on the available space, the passer can overlap or cut inside. To perform it, press L1, R1 and X on PlayStation or LB, RB and A on Xbox.
Manually triggered runs no longer continue indefinitely. After covering a limited distance, the player stops the run and returns to an appropriate position. If you want the movement to continue, you must trigger another run while remaining within range of the player.
Through Passes and Dinked Passes
Ground and lobbed through passes no longer receive as much assistance towards open passing lanes. Instead, they follow the user’s directional input more strictly, making accurate aiming more important and giving manual defenders a fairer opportunity to anticipate and intercept the ball.
Ground and through Dinked Passes are now fully manual. Their direction and power depend on the player’s input, increasing the level of precision required to use them effectively.
Off-Balance Dribbling
Off-Balance Dribbling allows certain skilled players to ride challenges and maintain possession under pressure. The mechanic is driven by the Balance, Agility and Dribbling attributes.
When an eligible dribbler is affected by a collision, bump or shoulder challenge, they can enter a stumbling animation while remaining under the user’s control. You can continue directing the player and take another touch to try to retain possession.
Off-Balance Dribbling does not make players immune to tackles or physical challenges. Well-timed defending remains effective, particularly when the defender approaches from a strong position.
Redesigned Corner Kicks
Corner kicks have been redesigned to provide greater control before the ball arrives in the penalty area. After selecting the intended delivery area, the camera moves towards the box and provides a brief window in which players can switch between teammates, move, make runs, shield or compete for position.
Players contesting a corner no longer move automatically into the ideal position to reach the ball. The user must time the run, attack the available space and attempt to make first contact manually.
This system applies to direct deliveries into the penalty area. Short corners return to the selected gameplay camera after the ball is put into play.
Shielding and Avoidance
FC 27 introduces Avoidance during corner kicks. Holding R1 on PlayStation or RB on Xbox makes the controlled attacker or defender more evasive, helping them move through crowded areas without being blocked by opponents.
Avoidance can be combined with Shielding. After creating space, an attacker can protect their position and attempt to prevent an opponent from stepping in front before the delivery arrives.
Improved Crossing and Aerial Battles
Crossing has been reworked to provide greater control over the destination of the ball. Crosses are delivered into open space more frequently instead of being heavily assisted towards a specific player.
Aim and power now have a greater effect on where the cross lands. An inaccurate delivery can miss every player in the penalty area, while a well-placed cross can lead a teammate into space rather than targeting their current position.
Headers from crosses and corners require greater precision, making clean contact less frequent. However, when a player connects cleanly, headers are intended to be more accurate than in FC 26. Attackers may also need to stretch, dive or adjust their run, creating a wider variety of finishing animations and outcomes.
AI Defending Rebalance
In Competitive Gameplay, FC 27 reduces the influence of AI-controlled defenders and gives the user greater responsibility without the ball. AI defenders no longer initiate automatic tackles simply because a dribbler moves close to them.
AI-controlled defenders can still collect loose balls within reach or gain possession when an attacker runs directly into them. A trapping animation may sometimes involve extending a leg, but the defender is reacting to the ball rather than initiating an automatic tackle.
The interception reach of AI-controlled defenders has also been reduced. Manually controlled defenders can reach farther when attempting an interception, encouraging users to switch players and actively confront the ball carrier.
These AI defending changes apply specifically to the Competitive Gameplay preset. Authentic Gameplay uses a different approach to CPU behaviour.
Greater Reward for Manual Defending
Manual defending has been improved to complement the reduction in AI assistance. User-controlled defenders have greater jockey speed than in FC 26, helping them respond more effectively to quick changes of direction.
The range of manually triggered standing tackles has also been increased. Players who switch to the appropriate defender, read the dribbler, position themselves correctly and time their tackles accurately should have a better chance of recovering possession.
Teammate Contain has also been adjusted. The supporting AI teammate now maintains a slightly greater distance from the ball carrier, requiring the user to switch to that defender and take manual control to apply more direct pressure.
PlayStyles and Attributes
FC 27 reduces the performance gap between several PlayStyles, PlayStyles+ and players who rely primarily on strong base attributes. The objective is to ensure that both attributes and PlayStyles remain important without allowing individual PlayStyles to become excessively influential.
Finesse Shot now depends more heavily on the attributes of the player taking the shot. Technical Dribbler, Rapid, Quick Step, Intercept, Pinged Pass, Tiki Taka, Jockey and Precision Header have also been rebalanced.
Low Driven no longer increases shot speed. Shot velocity now depends on the relevant shooting attributes and the amount of power applied, while the PlayStyle and PlayStyle+ continue to improve accuracy.
Authentic Gameplay 2.0
Authentic Gameplay returns with a major upgrade for Career Mode and other supported offline experiences. Authentic Gameplay 2.0 delivers more grounded player movement, smarter CPU behaviour, greater physicality and increased variation between matches.
Touches, turns and sprints carry a greater sense of weight while remaining responsive. CPU-controlled opponents display more distinct playing styles, make smarter decisions and use a wider range of tactical approaches, requiring players to adapt to different teams and match situations.
Environmental and Physical Realism
Weather conditions have a greater effect on matches played with Authentic Gameplay. During wet or snowy conditions, players can lose their footing when making sharp turns.
Visible fatigue and emotional reactions have also been enhanced, allowing body language to better reflect the physical and mental state of each player.
Physical interactions are stronger and more varied. Shoulder challenges have greater impact, aerial duels are more contested and players can stumble more frequently following contact. CPU-controlled players also commit more fouls, giving set pieces a greater role during offline matches.
Authentic Gameplay Sliders
Authentic Gameplay 2.0 introduces 25 new Gameplay Sliders and 10 new CPU Sliders, providing greater control over how offline matches look, feel and play.
CPU Sliders are divided into CPU Opponent and CPU Teammate categories. This allows players using a locked position, particularly in Player Career, to adjust the behaviour of their teammates and opponents independently.
Competitive and Authentic Gameplay
FC 27 continues to provide distinct gameplay experiences for competitive and offline players. Competitive Gameplay prioritises responsiveness, direct control and balance in modes where users compete against each other.
Authentic Gameplay 2.0 focuses on realistic movement, tactical variety, environmental effects and more natural CPU behaviour. This separation allows each preset to be developed around the expectations of its intended audience.
Platform Availability
Off-Balance Dribbling is only available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2.
The availability of other gameplay features may vary by platform and mode. The PlayStation 4, Xbox One and original Nintendo Switch versions may therefore provide a different gameplay experience and may not include every feature described in this article.
FC 27 focuses on giving players greater control at both ends of the pitch. Smarter attacking runs, more manual passing and resilient dribbling expand the options available in possession, while reduced AI assistance places greater value on manual defending. Together with redesigned set pieces, rebalanced PlayStyles and Authentic Gameplay 2.0, these changes aim to create more varied, responsive and true-to-football matches.