This guide covers The Grounds, the social world of EA SPORTS FC 27 (sometimes searched for as "FIFA 27"), when you can't find your friends, get split up after a match, or see your connection degrade when playing as a group. The Grounds is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2; these situations are often explained by how the online worlds work, as described by EA, rather than by a PC fault.
Problem
- You are in The Grounds but your friends don't appear: you are in different worlds.
- After a Rush match, an 11v11 Drop-In or a visit to the Clubhouse, the group is no longer together.
- Ping rises for some group members when you play together from different regions.
- After disconnecting from a Clubs 11v11 match, your spot was taken.
How the worlds work
According to EA Help, a Grounds world can hold up to 100 players. The game creates or splits these worlds depending on player numbers, and may move players to a nearby active world during quieter periods. It places you in the world that best fits your region and ping site; your player stats are not used to choose the world. Two friends who launch separately can therefore end up in different worlds.
There is no in-game setting to choose a Grounds server, lock your region or set a maximum ping. Be wary of any tool or service that claims to do so.
Step 1: check cross-play if your friends are on another platform
When to use it: a friend plays on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S or Nintendo Switch 2 while you are on PC.
Suggested solution
- Check your friend's platform: EA states that The Grounds supports cross-play across PC and Gen 5 platforms, except Nintendo Switch 2.
- Make sure cross-play is enabled on your side and on your friend's side. EA states that you can't join a friend in a lobby if either of you has disabled it, or if the game mode doesn't support it. The setting is described on the cross-play in EA SPORTS FC page; it can't be changed during a match. For details on the PC setting, see also the guide Can't play with a console friend in EA SPORTS FC 27 on PC: cross-play.
Expected result: both accounts are on compatible platforms with cross-play enabled. If your friend plays on Nintendo Switch 2, you won't be able to play together in The Grounds from a PC.
Step 2: re-invite each other with EA Connect
When to use it: you are all in The Grounds but in different worlds, especially after a Rush match, an 11v11 Drop-In or the Clubhouse. EA explains that these take you out of your current world and that, when you return, the group may not land in the same world.
Suggested solution
- Once in The Grounds, open EA Connect (icon usually at the bottom right of the screen; its location may vary).
- In the Friends tab, choose your online friend and select Invite to lobby.
- Your friend opens the Game invites tab, selects the invitation, then Join lobby.
- To chat, you can also start a Party in the tab of the same name (Invite to party).
- Open the map: pink dots are members of your party and blue dots are members of your Club.
Expected result: you join the same world and see your friends in pink on the map. If the invitation fails, go back to step 1.
For chatting while playing, EA also points to EA Connect: The Grounds has no proximity chat or open mic for nearby players.
Step 3: high ping in a group with friends from other regions
When to use it: your connection is fine when you play alone but degrades as soon as you group with distant friends.
Suggested solution
- Note the connection quality when playing as a group.
- Then play separately and compare: this is EA's advice, because when a group is spread out, the game can't always use the ideal ping site for everyone.
- Keep in mind that high ping is less noticeable while exploring (players don't collide) than during a match.
Expected result: if the connection is good again when playing alone, the difference comes from the distance between group members, not from your PC. If the problem persists even alone, follow the guide Lag and high ping online in EA SPORTS FC 27 on PC.
Special cases
- Disconnected from a Clubs 11v11 match: some matches support Hot Join. Spots are first come, first served: another player may take yours before you return, and you might need to make your way through The Grounds before trying again.
- Amps (Accelerated Match Performance items): they are consumed at the end of an eligible match. Disconnecting on purpose doesn't prevent them from being used; however, if an opponent or teammate disconnects early, your Amp is not consumed.
- In-world matches (1v1, etc.): you are matched with players from your current world. To face a friend, get into the same world first.
Final check
- ☐ Your friends are on a compatible platform (no Nintendo Switch 2 with a PC) and cross-play is enabled on both sides.
- ☐ The EA Connect invitation was accepted and your friends appear in pink on the map.
- ☐ Connection quality was compared in a group and playing alone.
Sources
- EA Help: Troubleshoot The Grounds connection issues in EA SPORTS FC 27
- EA Help: How to navigate The Grounds in EA SPORTS FC 27
- EA Help: How to use EA Connect
- EA Help: How do I cross-play in EA SPORTS FC?
Still having the problem?
Reply to this topic with:
- Your platform and your friends' platforms.
- When the group splits up (entering The Grounds, returning from Rush, 11v11 Drop-In, Clubhouse).
- The exact message shown when inviting, if any.
Do not post your EA ID, email address or password.