EA confirms Project Gridiron, an open-world football game
The codenamed project was announced in an October 21 letter to employees from executives Cam Weber and David Tinson, with no platforms or release window given.
Electronic Arts is developing an open-world American football project codenamed Project Gridiron, the company confirmed in an October 21 letter to employees. The letter, written by executives Cam Weber and David Tinson, described it as a brand-new, social-first open-world experience handled by EA's American football team.
EA did not announce platforms, a release window, a business model or a gameplay structure for Project Gridiron. The project does not yet have a public title or launch date.
According to Insider Gaming, Project Gridiron has been in development for a few years and was built alongside The Grounds, a hub for EA Sports FC 27. The outlet reported that it could work in a way similar to The City in the NBA 2K franchise and could later be folded into future Madden NFL and College Football entries.
The same letter set out a wider portfolio reset that includes the closure of BioWare, the cancellation of Mass Effect 5, a pause on The Sims project Project Lotus, a smaller Skate team, and additional resources for the other The Sims project, Project Evergreen.
The letter marked EA's first major portfolio reset since the company's $55 billion acquisition by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, which was completed in early August 2026.
Quick answers
What is Project Gridiron?
It is the codename for an open-world, social-first American football game in development at EA's American football team, announced in an October 21 letter to employees.
When will Project Gridiron be released?
EA has not announced a release window or platforms for Project Gridiron.
Will Project Gridiron connect to Madden NFL and College Football?
Insider Gaming reported it could function similarly to The City in NBA 2K and potentially be incorporated into future Madden NFL and College Football entries. EA has not confirmed this.