First Details Emerge on EA’s Mysterious Project Gridiron

EA is preparing an unusual American football project that aims to bring more people to its sports games through social interaction and open-world matches.

According to media reports, Electronic Arts is developing Project Gridiron, a standalone open-world American football game with shared exploration of locations and short matches. A first showing is tentatively planned for summer 2027.

EA initially described the project as a “new open-world social experience.” It did not say whether it would be a standalone game or a mode for Madden NFL or College Football.

According to Insider Gaming, Project Gridiron is being built to attract a new audience to the EA Sports ecosystem. Players will be able to meet in real time, explore the world and play short matches with friends or with users from around the world. The sources say the project will differ greatly from what the gaming community currently imagines.

Project Gridiron is described as neither a third major football simulation nor a replacement for Madden NFL or College Football. The game is in early development, so the timing of the showing may change.

EA is also continuing to work on a separate mode similar to The Grounds. It has not yet decided which of its sports series will get the mode.