Hockey fans have been waiting for this feature for years: EA Sports has released a full in-depth video about the return of Connected Franchise mode in EA Sports NHL 27. This mode allows players to create their own online league, co-manage teams and compete against each other.
With the release of a gameplay update that lasts more than 15 minutes, EA Sports is focusing on one of the most requested features by the EA Sports NHL 27 community: the return of the online franchise league under the name Connected Franchise.
This mode gives 3 to 32 participants the opportunity to build their own hockey world, negotiate transfers and compete for the Stanley Cup.
According to the developers, Connected Franchise mode is based on a newly developed technical infrastructure designed to ensure significantly faster loading times when creating leagues and menu navigation compared to previous GM Connected. Full cross-play is also supported, so players on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S can easily compete against each other in the same league.
League managers have access to a wide range of tools to control game operations. This allows game plans, playoff formats, salary caps and rules to be adjusted individually. In order to avoid hindering the progress of the league due to player absence, the commissioner can manually simulate or adjust the results. Your own rosters and custom teams can also be integrated and shared with the league before the season starts.
In addition to managing contracts, trades and free agent signings, EA Sports said it will closely customize the mode based on player feedback. A separate feedback portal has been set up for this purpose. EA Sports NHL 27 will officially launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on September 11, 2026. Players who pre-order the Deluxe Edition can play the game seven days in advance starting on September 4, 2026.
