Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
2K has announced a new sports studio and franchise, but it has not identified the sport. A soccer game is one possibility circulating because key people at the studio have EA Sports FIFA experience. That background is a clue, not confirmation: as of the latest cited reports on August 14, 2026, 2K had not announced a soccer game or named its license.
What did Matt McKie’s promotion actually announce?
On November 27, 2025, Insider Gaming reported that Matt McKie had moved from strategic adviser to vice president of marketing at 2K. The report said McKie had previously worked at EA as senior manager for global product marketing for EA Sports FIFA and later as a global brand director.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
EA Sports FC 25 | $35.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
EA SPORTS FC 25 - Nintendo Switch Physical Video Game | $34.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Soccer Board Game for Kids Age 4-12 Mini Foosball Table Toy | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
EA SPORTS FC 25 - Nintendo Switch | $30.99 | Buy on Amazon |
In a LinkedIn post reproduced by Insider Gaming, McKie wrote: “Excited to start the next chapter of my career as Vice President of Marketing at 2K. We’re assembling a best-in-class team to fully realize our uncompromising vision for 2K’s next blockbuster sports franchise.“ The statement identifies a sports-franchise ambition, but it does not say that the franchise is soccer. Insider Gaming’s November 27 report explicitly cautioned that the post did not confirm a soccer game. The quote is attributed to McKie’s LinkedIn post as reproduced in that report.
What has 2K confirmed since then?
On August 13, 2026, 2K announced Small Axe Studios, a Vancouver-based AAA studio led by Aaron McHardy. Game Developer reported that the studio would work on 2K’s next blockbuster sports franchise. McHardy’s prior EA experience included executive-producer work on FIFA, Madden, and College Football. The public-facing description reported by Game Developer named a sports franchise, but not its sport. Game Developer’s report on Small Axe Studios provides the studio announcement and McHardy’s background.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →#1 Best Overall
- This video game is the world's leading football game; The Standard Edition contains the FC 25 full game
- EA SPORTS FC 25 has the best players from the biggest clubs and competitions around the globe, with match data from the world’s top leagues powering how 19,000+ players from 700+ authentic clubs move, play, and win in every match
- No matter how you choose to win in EA SPORTS FC 25, do it for the club
- EA SPORTS FC 25 gives you more ways to win for the club; Team up with friends in your favorite modes with the new 5v5 Rush, and manage your club to victory as FC IQ delivers more tactical control than ever before
- Get your team playing like the world’s best with FC IQ; An overhaul of tactical foundations across the game delivers greater strategic control and more realistic collective movement at the team level
GameSpot and Insider Gaming followed up on August 14, 2026, noting that the team’s EA experience had renewed speculation about soccer while distinguishing that theory from what 2K had actually announced. Neither report established that the project is a soccer game. GameSpot’s coverage and Insider Gaming’s coverage describe the soccer connection as unconfirmed.
Why are people connecting Small Axe to soccer?
The theory has a personnel-based rationale: McKie has FIFA marketing experience, and McHardy worked on FIFA at EA. That makes soccer a plausible subject for the new franchise, but people with experience in one sport can work on a different one. The same reported EA background also includes Madden and College Football, so it does not identify the project’s genre on its own.
Rank #2
- EA SPORTS FC 25 Experience more ways to win for the club in EA SPORTS FC 25. Team up with friends in your favourite modes with the new 5v5 Rush and manage your club to victory as FC IQ delivers more tactical control than ever before.
Reports have framed a possible 2K soccer title—and a potential rival to EA Sports FC—as speculation rather than an announced plan. No specific soccer license, game title, release date, platforms, or gameplay details are established in the cited coverage. The original McKie report and Insider Gaming’s Small Axe follow-up both separate the confirmed franchise plans from the soccer theory.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to read the rumor
- Confirmed: McKie joined 2K as vice president of marketing and referred to a planned blockbuster sports franchise.
- Confirmed: 2K later announced Small Axe Studios, led by Aaron McHardy, to work on a new sports franchise.
- Not confirmed: that the franchise is a soccer game, that it will compete directly with EA Sports FC, or that 2K has secured any particular soccer license.
So the accurate answer to “Is 2K making a soccer game?” is: it may be, but the announcements and reports cited here do not establish that. “2K soccer game” remains a rumor, not an officially identified or available game.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Team up with 5v5 Rush, a new way to play with friends in Football Ultimate Team, Clubs, and Kick-Off with small-sided gameplay.
- Get your team playing like the world’s best with FC IQ. An overhaul of tactical foundations across the game delivers greater strategic control and more realistic collective movement.
- For the first time, play an authentic Women’s Career experience, taking control of a club or player from the top five women’s leagues.
- Play, win, and progress with friends in more ways than ever before with Clubs. Connect with club mates in your all-new personalised Clubhouse and see your friends’ avatars when they enter the mode.
- Enjoy more ways to build your dream squad in Football Ultimate Team with the best past and present players from across The World’s Game.
Rank #3
- ⚽UPGRADED LARGE SIZE WITH 4 FLIPPER DRIVE: Features two responsive buttons on each handle to independently control two moving flippers for realistic tackling, kicking, and passing. The 20" x 11.8" sloped field, goal bell, and built-in scoreboard deliver an authentic mini tabletop soccer experience that feels like a real match.
- ⚽GREAT FOR FAMILY GAME NIGHTS: Bring the family together with this interactive table game that everyone can enjoy. Perfect for Friday nights or weekend afternoons, it provides screen-free entertainment that encourages laughter and friendly competition. Suitable for children ages 6-12 with adult participation for younger players.
- ⚽COMPACT AND PORTABLE DESIGN: Measuring a convenient tabletop size, this football game fits easily on most tables and stores compactly when not in use. Unlike larger foosball tables that require dedicated space, our design is perfect for homes, apartments, or taking to friends' houses for playdates and parties.
- ⚽ENCOURAGES SKILL DEVELOPMENT: While having fun, children naturally practice hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes as they control the players and aim for goals. The game helps develop timing and strategic thinking in a playful, pressure-free environment that kids genuinely enjoy.
- ⚽COMPLETE AND READY TO PLAY: Everything you need comes in the box: the football table with green playing field, 4 control rods with comfortable grips, 2 goal areas, and soccer balls. Simple setup means you can start playing in minutes, with no batteries or complicated assembly required.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
