2K launches Small Axe Studios for next blockbuster sports franchise

2K has launched a new AAA game development studio, Small Axe Studios, with the goal of building what it calls its “next blockbuster sports franchise,” according to a LinkedIn post. The announcement was made on August 13, 2026.

The new studio will focus on an unspecified sport, but an image in the LinkedIn post shows what appears to be a mockup soccer badge, suggesting Small Axe may be developing a soccer game to compete with EA Sports FC. The Small Axe website lists senior staffers with experience working on EA’s FIFA series, including studio head Aaron McHardy, who previously led that franchise.

This move matters for 2K because it would expand the company’s sports portfolio beyond its current titles, which cover basketball (NBA 2K), wrestling (WWE 2K), and golf (PGA Tour 2K). A soccer game would put 2K in direct competition with EA Sports FC, the dominant soccer franchise.

Small Axe Studios was born from 2K Sports Lab, a project 2K announced in 2023. The studio’s leadership includes veterans of EA’s FIFA series, which was renamed EA Sports FC in 2023.

2K has not yet announced a release date or specific details about the new game, but the studio’s formation signals a long-term investment in a new sports franchise. The company’s existing sports games are developed by Visual Concepts, which also handles WWE 2K and NBA 2K.