# 2K Games launch of Small Axe Studios

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/2k-games-launch-of-small-axe-studios
> Updated: 2026-08-16T11:00:21.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 2.

2K Games has announced the establishment of Small Axe Studios, a new AAA sports development studio located in Vancouver, Canada. The studio is an evolution of the 2K Sports Lab project started in 2023 and is tasked with developing the publisher’s next major sports franchise.

The studio is led by a team of veterans primarily from the EA Sports FIFA series, including Executive Producer Aaron McHardy, who spent over 15 years at EA. Other key leadership includes Gary Paterson (Design), Tom Pan (Operations), Mike Thompson (Engineering), and John Cruz (Technical Art).

While 2K has not officially confirmed which sport the studio will focus on, industry speculation points toward football (soccer). This speculation is supported by the studio’s logo, which features a design “reminiscent of a football club crest on a sports jersey.”

## Timeline

### 2026-08-16: 2K Games launches Small Axe Studio with former FIFA developers

2K Games has launched Small Axe Studio in Vancouver, employing former EA Sports FIFA veterans to develop a new Triple-A sports video game franchise.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/2k-games-launches-small-axe-studio-with-former-fifa-developers

### 2026-08-14: 2K launches Small Axe Studios in Vancouver to develop new AAA sports franchise

2K has launched Small Axe Studios in Vancouver, led by former EA Sports FIFA executive Aaron McHardy, to develop a new AAA blockbuster sports franchise.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/2k-launches-small-axe-studios-with-ea-sports-veterans

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Cite as: 2K Games launch of Small Axe Studios. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/2k-games-launch-of-small-axe-studios