EA Sports has confirmed it is developing a new open-world American football game, codenamed "Project Gridiron." This new title appears to be distinct from the existing Madden NFL franchise and the upcoming EA Sports College Football game.
Details about Project Gridiron were shared in a recent letter from EA regarding the company's future projects. Alongside confirmation of a new Fight Night boxing game, EA revealed its intention to create a "social-first open-world experience" for its American football division. The company stated that more information about Project Gridiron would be shared in the coming months.
It remains unclear what form Project Gridiron's open world will take, whether it will incorporate a narrative mode, or if it will feature a shared online universe akin to NBA 2K. While Madden has experimented with narrative campaigns in the past, its focus has largely returned to career modes. The nature of Project Gridiron raises questions about its relationship with the Madden series and the College Football game, particularly considering the potential for market saturation with three EA-developed football titles.
There have also been reports suggesting internal concerns about the long-term viability of the College Football series due to rising costs associated with NIL rights and other licensing expenses. Some developers are reportedly worried that the franchise's return might be short-lived, with sales declining year over year. Project Gridiron could potentially serve as a future replacement or evolution of the College Football offering.
EA anticipates providing further details on Project Gridiron in the near future, possibly around the time of The Game Awards or in early 2027.