Small Axe Studios in Vancouver to Rival EA FC

2K is quietly building a new top-tier football simulation team, positioning itself to challenge EA Sports FC’s dominance as the FIFA-branded era continues to fade. The move centers on the newly official Small Axe Studios in Vancouver—staffed largely by veterans linked to the golden age of FIFA—and it comes with a clear strategy: tackle licensing constraints creatively while aiming for long-term leverage against EA’s current hold on major leagues and competitions.

Quick facts

2K has officially launched Small Axe Studios in Vancouver.
The studio traces its origin to an exploratory 2K Sports Lab project that began in 2023.
Small Axe Studios is led by executive producer Aaron McHardy (over 15 years at EA’s football franchise).
Design leadership includes Gary Paterson, a long-time FIFA figure from the FIFA 06 era.
2K’s plan is shaped by sports licensing realities, including a need to negotiate beyond the FIFA brand itself.
The studio may use FIFPRO player rights and community creation tools to offset missing official clubs.
2K’s broader timing is tied to future long-term funding expectations from GTA VI, with a release date of November 19, 2026.

A new AAA studio built around FIFA veterans

Small Axe Studios is now officially confirmed as a AAA studio formed from the 2023 2K Sports Lab exploration. It’s based in Vancouver, a city closely associated with EA Sports FC development, and the staffing is described as being made up “almost exclusively” of people who worked during the FIFA era.

At the helm is Aaron McHardy, an executive producer with more than 15 years at EA’s football franchise. He’s joined by Gary Paterson, highlighted as an iconic design figure since the FIFA 06 period, along with other veterans including Tom Pan, Mike Thompson, and John Cruz—collectively bringing decades of experience from EA’s football work.

The studio’s identity is also being signaled through its branding: the logo is presented as an embroidered crest resembling a stitched football shirt patch. McHardy frames Small Axe Studios as a team built to take on “the most ambitious challenges” in the industry, and ties the studio name to the idea that “a small axe can fell a great tree.”

Licensing is the real battleground

Even with a strong development team, creating a modern football simulation runs into legal and licensing complexity. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has previously cautioned that simply acquiring the FIFA brand does not automatically grant image rights for players or clubs.

International football also differs from closed leagues like the NBA and NFL, because it involves negotiations with numerous unions and independent leagues. Meanwhile, EA Sports has reportedly locked in major competitions for multiple years—Bundesliga through 2027, the Premier League through 2029, and Spain’s La Liga through 2030—along with UEFA competition exclusivity.

How Small Axe could work around missing club licensing

2K’s licensing path is reportedly informed by prior talks between 2K and FIFA, which did not progress toward a straightforward console simulation partnership. Instead, the negotiations reportedly went toward short-lived mobile efforts, including a FIFA World Cup title described as underwhelming.

Small Axe Studios’ potential workaround centers on player-side licensing. The plan outlined here is that 2K could rely on FIFPRO rights to ensure real players are represented and focus on national teams. For clubs, the approach may be to lean on an advanced community editing tool—similar in spirit to WWE 2K’s “Community Creations”—so players can import official kits and logos.

Timing the market for a post-EA exclusivity window

There’s also a long-game element to the strategy. The studio is described as leaning into the tactical, demanding design philosophy associated with Gary Paterson, aiming to attract players who have grown tired of EA Sports FC’s more arcade-leaning direction.

2K’s financial runway for this kind of extended development is tied to expectations around GTA VI, which is slated for release on November 19, 2026. With that support, Small Axe Studios is positioned to refine its engine first and then move for European licensing opportunities when EA’s exclusivity contracts begin to expire.