Yesterday, EA Sports unveiled the cover of their new game — EA Sports FC 27. It features Kylian Mbappé in a Real Madrid kit, which became the main news for fans. However, players were drawn not only by the star's face but also by the age rating on the disc version: PEGI 16.
A historic shift in rating
This is the first time in the franchise's history that a game has received such a high age rating. Throughout the series' existence — from FIFA to the early releases of EA FC — it carried a PEGI 3 rating, making it accessible to children of all ages.
Why did the rating change?
The reason lies in the updated PEGI rules, which came into effect in March 2026. The organization reviewed the game classification system regarding monetization and introduced a clear gradation:
- Games with loot boxes — PEGI 16;
- Games with battle passes and retention mechanics — PEGI 12;
- Titles with NFT and blockchain integration — PEGI 18.
The Ultimate Team mode in EA Sports FC 27 clearly falls into the first category. Opening "packs" with players is a classic example of loot boxes, leaving PEGI no room for interpretation.
Impact on sales
Despite the rating increase, analysts and market experts are confident that this will not affect the game's commercial success. Sales will remain in the millions across all platforms, as before.
What's next?
There is no official classification from PEGI for EA Sports FC 27 yet, but the leaked cover with the 16+ rating has effectively settled all disputes. The image began circulating in fan communities immediately after Mbappé was confirmed as the face of the game.
The first trailer and official announcement of details are expected to confirm this information and the release date — autumn 2026.
