2K Opens Small Axe Studio in Vancouver, Staffed With EA Sports FC Veterans
2K has announced Small Axe Studio, a new triple-A development studio in Vancouver that it says is building its "next blockbuster sports franchise."
The studio is led by executive producer Aaron McHardy, who held the same role on EA Sports' FIFA team for more than 15 years before departing in 2021. McHardy serves as vice president, executive producer, and head of the studio, according to GameDeveloper (published 13 August 2026).
Small Axe was formed from 2K's exploratory Sports Lab project, established in 2023, and is now listed among 2K's official first-party studios on the publisher's website. 2K's own Sports Lab page says the Vancouver team is being assembled to realise its vision for "2K's next phenomenal sports franchise."
The studio is stacked with longtime EA Sports talent. Design head Gary Peterson worked on FIFA titles stretching back to FIFA 06. Head of operations Tom Pan, engineering lead Mike Thompson, and technical art director John Cruz are each described as 20-year EA Sports veterans, VGC reports (published 14 August 2026).
Vancouver is also where EA develops its FC series — the football simulation formerly branded as FIFA — making Small Axe a studio of former EA developers operating in the same city as their old employer.
The announcement did not name a specific sport. The studio's logo, however, takes the form of a football club-style badge on a sports shirt, a visual cue that has prompted speculation about a possible football title. 2K already publishes the NBA 2K and WWE 2K series but does not currently have a football game on the market.
In a LinkedIn post, McHardy framed the studio's ambitions in plain terms: "This studio exists to take on the industry's boldest challenges, and our name reflects that: with vision, hunger, and focus, a small axe can take down a big tree."
2K said it wants Small Axe to use its collective experience to "redefine the future of sports video games."
No release window, platform, or sport has been confirmed. The studio is still hiring, and the new franchise remains in early development.
