SP Football Life 2027 Discussion Thread (PC)

Energia

Energia

Champions League
Joined
22 December 2003

Good morning everyone. I think this thread is in order, given the huge effort that @dido and his SMOKE TEAM put in every year to bring us a new PES with plenty of new features to discuss and share our views on – a game that’s constantly updated with each new season. Here are the new features awaiting us in SP FOOTBALL LIVE 2027; the upcoming release looks very promising and is packed with new features:​


📢 Football Life 2027 is in progress​




Football Life 2027

hello,
The new season version is underway, we usually target mid-october as a release date, but this time it might be delayed due to the intensive work required, we will have a clearer estimate as we get closer to release.
Below is an overview of the major features and changes planned for FL27

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FL27 switcher features:


FL27 switcher




FL27 Theme Colors​
The new theme for FL27 comes with the traditional SP red color palette, this version includes six additional color palettes to choose from, so users can select their preferred color to match their mood or RGB setup, this switcher will apply the color to all theme-related files and text.



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Render lighting
​
FL27 introduces a new lighting system, cinematics and replays will use a warm light that looks great in cutscenes, but will dynamically switch to the clearer, more natural lighting at match start, this provides the best balance between cinematic presentation and realistic gameplay visuals, this option in the switcher will give users the ability to switch to full natural or warm lighting without the dynamic change.

This option applies to all pre-installed stadiums and the new stadium packs addon (currently in progress). previous stadium packs (and probably most third-party stadiums) carry their own global illumination files (LUT). In this case the switcher will not change anything in these stadiums and will use whatever lighting the stadium has.



summer/fine


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Gameplay​
The gameplay section in the EXE is now almost completely mapped, and this will have a massive impact on how we apply tweaks.
The gameplay is divided into EXE functions and an external bin for GP parameters (dt18). while the external bin contains the definitions and values, it does not define valid limits or explain how different systems interact, because of this most edits are based on trial and error, which often leads to unintended side effects.
Now we know how each function affects the others, so changes will be targeted rather than experimental.

football life gameplay changes:
- adapt player stats to compensate for the different eFootball rating scale.
- more tachtical demanding gameplay.
- more up to date plays and tendencies to match real life.
- other aspects like freekicks, refereeing, stamina, ext...

here is the current beta version for testing DOWNLOAD BETA TESTER
- copy and replace dt18 file in the game data folder
- works on all FL versions

the switcher give users the ability to use the original gameplay for pes21, it might feel a bit old and arcadish but it is as fun as ever.





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Controller Buttons​
this is the same option as always, select the prefered controller buttons, default one is the PS5 controller buttons

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Classic Teams​
this option controls whether the classic teams (legend players) would be available in career mode, we have also added a new option:
1. OFF = classic teams will be available in exhibition mode, legends would not be available in career mode.
2. In africa = classic teams would not be available in exhibition or edit mode but legend players are available in all new career modes.
3. In Europe = this is a new option, same as the previous option, but classic teams can be selected and playable in master league, and will also be available for those who play (random selection) mode.

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Lockdown​
this new feature turnes every stadiums into lockdown mode, there will be no crowd/supporters, the cheers and chants will still be there, but can be muted in the game audio settings.


​

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Replays Logo​
a simple option that removes the replay logo for those who simply can't wait those extra couple of seconds :)

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Competitions and regulations​

Competition scheduling is one of the most difficult systems in this game, for years we were limited by hidden engine restrictions that caused crashes or broken schedules whenever league structures were modified.

Football Life has always prioritized a stable, endless Career Mode over experimental changes, because of that, many competition updates were intentionally postponed until reliable solutions were found.

FL27 finally introduces the first major breakthroughs in this area.


Changes confirmed in FL27 v1:​

France competitions:
the france leagues (first and second) division had a hard limit of 39 teams, changing it to 36 teams (18 in each division) would bug the frensh cup as it cannot handle less than that, the solution was to add 3 teams from 3rd division to the second division so the number would pass the cup requirments, while functional, it consumed three valuable team slots and reduced immersion.

in FL27 this is now resolved, both leagues will have the correct 18 teams with a working 36 teams frensh cup.

Argentine competitions:
the argentine league was limited to 26 teams, we had to relocat the remaining 4 teams to (other american clubs), otherwise the scheduel would crash at the second season due to missing matches.

this league will have all 30 teams in FL27, with a working scheduel that starts in winter instead of the old summer calandar.

MLS:
this league have only 20 teams out of the currently 30 participants, anymore teams added will bug the scheduel, in FL27 this league will have all 30 teams, with a working scheduel that starts in winter as expected for the 2027 MLS season.


Planned for future versions:

UCL new format
UEL new format
World cup new format
Copa america 4th group
New league addition
African cup of nations format
ACL new format

* we are also researching ways to increase the game's current team limit (749 teams). until this becomes possible, some national teams and clubs may need to be omitted to make room for the new upcoming changes.

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New season version general updates:
​
Database
the database is constantly under review, however in every new season version the teams selection changes and promoted teams will replace demoted ones, the tactics and formations are reviewed, player ratings are updated using eFootball as a baseline as it is consistent with the game engine.
Graphics and audio visuals:
every new season get new content, new grapohics across the board, this is the largest files in term of size, these round up to about 8GB on thier own, alongside the updated pre-installed addons makes it imposible to have an update version, it would exceed 12GB while the whole thing is about 20GB.
Internal engine (technical)
the game EXE requires a yearly update, as multiple internal systems must be adjusted to keep Career Mode and Edit Mode functioning correctly, we used to rely on a Lua add-on to start Career Mode at the desired year, but that was only a cosmetic solution, as the internal logic would still calculate contracts as if the game was based in 2020, without updating the engine itself, Edit Mode cannot be used properly to transfer players, this was corrected in FL26 and will continue to be updated every year to keep Edit Mode fully functional.
One of the systems that must be updated every year is the development and analysis base year, if it is not updated player development will not function correctly, and the AI will lose its ability to adapt to your tactics throughout the season, this was also corrected in FL26 (through updates) and will continue to be maintained yearly, it is just one of many internal systems that need to be updated to keep the game running correctly. (In Career Mode, check My Team Info > Club Performance > Season. If the year shown there does not match your current Career Mode year, the AI will lose its ability to adapt.)
More information about the new season content will follow...

a special thanks to all SP patreons and everyone who is positively supporting smokepatch, this project is alive because of your support

Smokepatch

july.17.2026
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August, 6 2026 Updates:

FL2027 - Competitions Structure Enhancements​



FL27 new world cup format
FL27 Competitions Enhancements

​
Progress on SP Football Life 2027 continues. Many of the planned competition structural changes have now been implemented, tested, and verified in Career Mode.
The target release window is now early November 2026.

Below are the confirmed competition enhancements that are now considered stable for release in version 1.


FL27 france ligue2 and cup
France
​
The French second division has been updated to the correct 18 team format, the (Coupe de France) has also been restructured and now features 36 teams from Ligue 1 and Ligue 2.

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FL27 belgium new format 26/27
Belgium

The Belgian league has been updated to the new 2026/27 format, the previous playoff system has been removed, the league now uses a standard european format with 18 teams playing 34 home/away matches.

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FL27 World Cup new format 2026
World Cup​

The World Cup will now use the latest 48 team format, with 12 groups of 4 teams, the structure has been adapted with the new qualification system, including the best 8 third placed teams advancing alongside the 24 group stage qualifiers to create the correct 32 team knockout round.

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FL27 Copa America 16 teams in 4 groups
Copa America
​
The Copa America will now use the expanded 16 team format, with 4 groups of 4 teams, with only the top two teams from each group advancing to create the correct 8 team knockout round.


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FL27 Argentina 30 teams league and cup
Argentina​

The Argentine league and cup have now been updated to the correct 30 team format, with a winter season start. The previous limitations of 26 teams in the league and 24 teams in the cup have been removed.


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FL27 MLS 30 teams
MLS
​
The MLS now includes the complete 30 team format, with all participating teams implemented for the new season (not true east-west).

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​
Minor other changes will also be applied, but other major changes (such as the new UEFA competitions formats) are not yet stable and will require much more time before they are included, our wishlist contains many more features that we are working on for future versions, including the addition of more teams and leagues.
All structural changes are baked directly into the game, with no external scripts.
how enhancements are applied in game updates:
- change doesnt damage a started career mode = release in update
- change doesnt damage but requires a new save to take effect = release in update with notes
- change can damage started career mode = postpone to new season version.

Thanks for your support
Smokepatch
5.august.2026





SOURCE: https://www.pessmokepatch.com/
 
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I tried the beta version of the gameplay and i don't understand what is the obsession with making player movement sluggish. I think F4L 5.1 is still the best way to play FL. Players are agile, responsive, but at the same time the pace is just right. Slow =/= Realistic. Just because it LOOKS realistic doesn't mean it will play like it is. I doubt a real football player struggles to turn around.
 
sapsafe said:
I tried the beta version of the gameplay and i don't understand what is the obsession with making player movement sluggish. I think F4L 5.1 is still the best way to play FL. Players are agile, responsive, but at the same time the pace is just right. Slow =/= Realistic. Just because it LOOKS realistic doesn't mean it will play like it is. I doubt a real football player struggles to turn around.
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it isn't still a full final game-play... it's only a beta dt18_all file... their full game-play will be in their new "FL_2027.exe" combined with final dt18.

Gameplay
The gameplay section in the EXE is now almost completely mapped, and this will have a massive impact on how we apply tweaks.
The gameplay is divided into EXE functions and an external bin for GP parameters (dt18)
Click to expand...

and then
"the switcher give users the ability to use the original game-play for pes21, it might feel a bit old and arcadish but it is as fun as ever."
Click to expand...

I think It spoke a style of game-plays similar to the firsts versions of PES 2021 and not latest one (v1.07.02)

So they will give us two styles of game-plays

PS: game-plays taste are differences for each person but regarding speed, the game will have always the choice ' of "0" default value but also of -1 -2 +1 +2 by internal game's menù ;)
 
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@sapsafe

I just tried their beta dt18_all.cpk combined with their game-play inside their FL_2026.exe v.2.2 and I obtained a dinamic game-play without any turn around stuggles by players... maybe you have used it with another gameplay's exe or some game-plays modules enabled with sider that it has interfered with?!?

NOTE: game-play can change also from match to match cause variables by Konami inside PES2021 core, regarding many others factors like Day and Night match, grass length, season, league, weather, and others
 
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Rosterlife26 said:
What about the online mood in the ultimate team we can creat by choosing our player
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Ultimate team? Online mood?!? this is a thread inside Pro Evolution Soccer Area of forum... Here we are spoking about next SP Football Life 2027 ( a more evoluted standalone modded pes2021 game) and not about a EA FIFA / FC game
 
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How high do you think the possibility is to actually having the new competitions systems working in the game and the career modes ? Like wc26 in become a legend .
Thank you all for the hard legendary work youre doing 🙏
 
The dedication of the Smoke team always impresses me. Not only updating the game every year (which is amazing in its own right), but always adding graphics and other improvements.. The new Render Lighting feature looks very, very nice. Can't wait!
:TU:
 
millossobek said:
The dedication of the Smoke team always impresses me. Not only updating the game every year (which is amazing in its own right), but always adding graphics and other improvements.. The new Render Lighting feature looks very, very nice. Can't wait!
:TU:
Click to expand...
This thread is intended as a little tribute to their dedication
 
What you guys actually figured out how to do the new UCL format? Also would love to see how world cup would look like with 48 teams.
 
Matija1811 said:
What you guys actually figured out how to do the new UCL format? Also would love to see how world cup would look like with 48 teams.
Click to expand...
I don't think will be some one of Smoke Patch team that will answer here
 
millossobek said:
The new Render Lighting feature looks very, very nice.
Click to expand...
As much as I understood from the images, this is just an LUT change that is being done. As a light guy, I know the light file is the same as before (and wrong for Mestalla :P).

But I am genuinely interested for the new league structures.
 
Energia said:
@sapsafe

I just tried their beta dt18_all.cpk combined with their game-play inside their FL_2026.exe v.2.2 and I obtained a dinamic game-play without any turn around stuggles by players... maybe you have used it with another gameplay's exe or some game-plays modules enabled with sider that it has interfered with?!?

NOTE: game-play can change also from match to match cause variables by Konami inside PES2021 core, regarding many others factors like Day and Night match, grass length, season, league, weather, and others
Click to expand...
What differences did you notice between this beta version of the gameplay and the vanilla FL 26? I ask because I've tested it in three Master League matches on Top Player difficulty and two friendly matches on Superstar, and I didn't notice any difference compared to vanilla FL 26. The differences might be very subtle, and I might need more matches to notice them, but so far I haven't seen any difference at all.
 
LeiteBdr said:
What differences did you notice between this beta version of the gameplay and the vanilla FL 26? I ask because I've tested it in three Master League matches on Top Player difficulty and two friendly matches on Superstar, and I didn't notice any difference compared to vanilla FL 26. The differences might be very subtle, and I might need more matches to notice them, but so far I haven't seen any difference at all.
Click to expand...
I playied it just no more that for a minute sorry... :D

Anyway, each time you play a new gameplay mods it's better you start with a new virgin SYSTEM0000000 file (deleting or move out you old one) to be sure differences can be noticed... because previous SYSTEM00000000 file take traces of previous gameplay variables and can interfere with new gameplay :)
 
I've just played a few more matches on this beta gameplay and, to be honest, It seems that scripting and fouls are a little bit worse than in vanilla gameplay. But maybe it has to do with not having deleted the SYSTEM00000000 file. I didn't know that. I only tested one gameplay mod, and it didn't require deleting this file. I only tested one gameplay mod, and it didn't require deleting that file. But it was a mod that included an executable, a dt18_all.cpk, and a dt13_all.cpk. It was practically a different game.
 
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LeiteBdr said:
I've just played a few more matches on this beta gameplay and, to be honest, It seems that scripting and fouls are a little bit worse than in vanilla gameplay. But maybe it has to do with not having deleted the SYSTEM00000000 file. I didn't know that. I only tested one gameplay mod, and it didn't require deleting the I didn't know that. I only tested one gameplay mod, and it didn't require deleting that file. But it was a mod that included an executable, a dt18_all.cpk, and a dt13_all.cpk. It was practically a different game.
Click to expand...
SYSTEM000000 must always be deleted before trying out any new mod… it’s the only sure way to see if there are any actual changes and what they are in the new gameplay… It’s a pesky file that many believe is only used to save the game settings, but in reality it keeps also track of all matches and results, game statistics, wins, losses and so on… and it’s on this basis that Konami’s script is also used in new gameplay sessions, with variables that have a negative impact… sometimes new mod doesn’t seem to change any thing, generating the much-vaunted placebo effect touted by so many, but often caused because no one delete their previous SYSTEM000000 files before pass by a gameplay mod to another one... only on my gameplays mods for Football life 2026, you don't need this operation each time you switch from my one mod to another of mine.. I got round this issue in my modifications inside "FL_2026.exe" some time ago
 
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Given the latest developments here... (online mode that also works on PES2021 with CPY exe)


It's a shame that @dido and his Smoke Patch team heavily modified the CPY EXE, removing everything related to online play even from the menu. Otherwise, we could have had a version of the game every year that was ready for online play, complete with all the seasonal updates, without too much hassle, and featuring all the kits and graphical enhancements we needed thank to SP Football Life


We can only hope that Smoke Team start by a new CPY exe as base for football life 2027, this will make it possible to restore the Konami online menus and all the original CPY online links, which they had cutted in FL_2026.exe
 
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In the current Master League system, player development slows down or halts drastically around the age of 24-25. It would be fantastic if the default growth curves in the database could be adjusted, or if a dynamic potential system could be integrated, allowing players to continue progressing based on their performance until they reach their peak at around 29 or 30 years old. This would make long-term squad building much more rewarding.
 
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