Multiple EA Games Fail When Entering Matches on University Network

Hello EA,

I am the Network Specialist for a University, and we are investigating a connectivity issue affecting multiple students across more than one EA title.

EA SPORTS College Football 27 is one confirmed affected game, but it is not the only EA game showing this behavior.

Symptoms

Players can successfully:

Sign into Xbox Live

Sign into their EA accounts

Join friends or squads

Remain in the pre-game lobby

Complete matchmaking

 

However, when the game transitions from the lobby into the actual match, the affected player is returned to the lobby while the rest of the squad enters the match.

 

No error code is displayed.

 

Network Environment

Organization: <removed> University

Firewall: Sophos XGS4500

Firmware: SFOS 22.0.1 MR-1 Build 490

Outbound Internet uses source NAT/PAT

All student traffic generally exits through one public IPv4 address:

<removed>

Troubleshooting Completed

Xbox NAT Type reports Open

No Double NAT is reported

Xbox Live functions normally

Players can authenticate successfully with EA

Other non-EA online multiplayer games work normally

The issue appears to affect multiple EA games

Multiple students have reported the same behavior

Critical Comparison Test

 

Using the same Xbox, same EA account, same game, and same squad:

 

Campus network

Sign-in succeeds

Squad and lobby functions succeed

Player is returned to the lobby when the match begins

Cellular hotspot

The player successfully enters and plays the match

 

The only meaningful change is the Internet connection, NAT path, and public IP address.

 

Timeline

 

The issue began approximately in late 2025 or early 2026.

 

Confirmed Affected Games

EA SPORTS College Football 27

[Add other affected EA games here]

Request

 

Can EA investigate whether there are any known issues involving:

 

Multiple legitimate EA players sharing one public IP address

Large shared-NAT environments such as universities, hotels, or military installations

Matchmaking or game-server session limits based on public IP

Anti-abuse, rate-limiting, or reputation controls applied to public IP <removed>

Changes introduced in late 2025 or early 2026 that could affect shared-NAT networks

 

We are happy to provide timestamps, affected account details, packet captures through our firewall administrator, and other diagnostics if needed.

 

Thank you.

[CM edit - removed identifying information]