EA FC 27 Rating Change Could Impact Millions of Gamers

Back in March, PEGI, the European media ratings organization, made it clear that any games containing lootboxes (or any similar mechanics) would be struck with a PEGI 16 rating, preventing them from landing in the hands of youngsters as easily. This follows years of EA FC games (and before that, FIFA games) being handed a PEGI 3 rating.

Up until now, it has been widely assumed that EA FC 27 will adopt the PEGI 16 rating, but now that the cover star has been revealed, some social circles have started passing around pictures of the print, unveiling the series’ first teen-based age gate.

EA FC 27’s PEGI Rating Locks Out Younger Consumers

In March 2026, the Pan-European Game Information organization published major changes to how it rates games. It decreed that any game with lootbox mechanics would be branded with a PEGI 16 rating, and any games with battle passes and elements that ‘influence players to return to a game’ would have a PEGI 12 rating.

At the other end of the spectrum sat games with NFTs and blockchain integrations, which faced PEGI 18 ratings under the new regulations.

It was anticipated that EA Sports FC 27, the next major iteration in the acclaimed sports franchise, would receive the bump in rating, taking it from a PEGI 3 to a PEGI 16 based mostly on the Ultimate Team platform and how players can open ‘packs’ of players. It’s about as typical a lootbox experience as you could ask for.

PEGI hasn’t yet classified EA Sports FC 27, but the game’s new cover seems to have slipped into the wild following the news that Kylian Mbappe is this year’s box star.

Last year’s game, EA Sports FC 26, was the last to receive a PEGI 3 rating.

This change stands to impact millions of gamers, given that EA FC is one of the best-selling sports franchises across Europe, and now retailers will be forced to ID check every youngster trying to buy a copy. Whereas before, they were free to waltz up to the counter and buy their copy of EA FC, they’ll now need to lean on someone older.

It could also impact users who have parental controls or locks activated on their accounts, which could hamper access, purchasing, and communications in the game.

It’s not a huge difference, but it’s a change, and as we know, gamers are often the folks least accepting of paradigm shifts.

Are you disappointed by the PEGI change for EA FC 27? Let us know your thoughts on the Insider Gaming Discord server.

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