EA SPORTS™ NHL® 27 brings the identity of every NHL team to life on the ice, in the arena, and through the broadcast. Experience Authentic Atmospheres across all 32 NHL arenas, each designed to capture the sound, spectacle, and identity of its home team. Real-world goal songs, new pregame introductions, and a fully overhauled crowd bring every building closer to its real-world counterpart. A fully refreshed broadcast package featuring John Buccigross and Darren Pang brings new voices, modern broadcast graphics, updated visuals, and more contextual storytelling to every matchup, giving games a cleaner, more authentic NHL feel from puck drop to final horn. Connected Franchise lets you create your league, build your team, manage your roster, and spark new and old rivalries with friends across a full online season. With up to 32 human-controlled teams, league customization, flexible scheduling, roster management, and commissioner tools, your group has the foundation to run the league your way. On the ice, gameplay is driven by true team identity through 32 unique NHL Team Playbooks powered by NHL EDGE data. Teams now play with more recognizable structure, from how they break out of their zone to how they pressure on special teams and adjust late in close games. The result is more authentic matchups where each team feels different and strategy matters every shift. AUTHENTIC ATMOSPHERES Experience all 32 NHL arenas rebuilt to capture the energy, traditions, and identity of each home team. From authentic goal songs, crowd chants, and signature arena details to dynamic lighting, jumbotrons, and team-driven presentation, every building reacts to the story of the game as it unfolds, making each arena feel distinct from matchup to matchup. NEXT-GEN CROWD The crowd has been fully modernized with improved visuals, greater diversity, and dynamic reactions tied directly to gameplay. Fans respond to momentum, pressure, and key moments, building energy when your team pushes forward and creating tension when the game is on the line. Whether at home or on the road, the crowd plays a meaningful role in shaping the feel of every game. NEW BROADCAST EXPERIENCE A completely refreshed broadcast package brings a cleaner, more modern presentation to every game. New broadcast graphics, updated camera work, and improved on-screen storytelling deliver more context before the puck drops, between whistles, and through in-game highlights, creating a more authentic experience from start to finish. NEW COMMENTARY TEAM A new commentary team featuring ESPN play-by-play voice John Buccigross and former NHL goaltender Darren Pang brings fresh perspective, energy, and insight to every game. Updated play-by-play and analysis better capture the speed and emotion of hockey, with more natural reactions, improved flow, and deeper breakdowns that reflect what’s happening on the ice. CONNECTED FRANCHISE One of the most requested features in franchise history arrives in NHL 27. Create a league with friends, build your roster, manage your team, and compete head-to-head across a full online season with up to 32 human-controlled teams. With flexible league settings, roster management, scheduling, and commissioner tools, Connected Franchise gives players the foundation to run their league their way, and marks the first step in a mode built to grow with the community. NHL TEAM PLAYBOOKS