The whistle has blown on a brand-new season of The World’s Game, as the next chapter in the iconic football simulation saga has arrived a full week early for dedicated fans.
EA SPORTS FC 26 is available to play right now, at least for those who purchase the Ultimate Edition. This new instalment is now live on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS4, and PS5.
Prepare for an overhauled gameplay experience powered by community feedback, with new ways to play in Ultimate Team and Career, and the most true-to-football experience ever. The Standard Edition (£69.99) launches in seven days’ time, but you can get on the pitch today.
The Road to Kick-Off: A Season of Hype
It’s been a busy few months leading up to this launch, and we’ve been following the story every step of the way. It all started when we found out that EA SPORTS FC 26 had crowned a new generation, with Bellingham and Musiala as cover stars. We then got a glimpse of the top talent when we saw that Salah and Mbappé topped the EA SPORTS FC 26 Player Ratings, before seeing which legends of the past would be joining them, with the news that Zlatan, Alex Morgan, and Iniesta would headline the new class of Icons. Finally, we got the vibes right when the EA SPORTS FC 26 Soundtrack was revealed, featuring a professional footballer first.
What’s New on the Pitch This Year?
In a big move for the series, FC 26 introduces two distinct gameplay options. The new Authentic Gameplay option delivers the most true-to-football experience ever for Career modes, while the Competitive Gameplay option – driven by refined fundamentals and enhanced responsiveness – is tailor-made for the high-stakes action of Football Ultimate Team and Clubs.
You can also put your dream squad to the test in Football Ultimate Team with new Live Events and Tournament modes, as well as a refreshed Rivals and Champs experience to sink your teeth into.
Career has been enhanced with all-new Manager Live Challenges, where you can earn rewards by taking on a variety of real-world scenarios and alternative storylines. In Player Career and Clubs, new Archetypes inspired by the greats of the game introduce new classes to bring more individuality to your player.
Our Verdict on the Last Season
The EA SPORTS FC series has a high bar to clear, and we were huge fans of last year’s entry. In our glowing 4.5/5 review of EA SPORTS FC 25, we called it “another step in the right direction” and a “cracking football game to satisfy the masses.”
FC 26 looks set to build on that fantastic foundation. We’ll let you know how it goes in full review.
Your Ticket to Early Access: Editions Explained
As always with a major sports release, there are a number of ways to get into the game.
- Standard Edition (£69.99): Launches in seven days.
- Ultimate Edition (£99.99): Playable NOW with up to 7-days early access. Includes 6000 FC Points (over 2 months), a Season 1 Premium Pass, and an additional Ultimate Team Player Evolution Slot.
Buying FC Points
For those looking to build their ultimate team, a number of optional FC Points packs are also on offer, ranging from 500 points for £4.49 right up to a massive 18,500 points for £129.99.
Is EA FC 26 on Game Pass?
EA FC 26 is not part of your Game Pass subscription at launch. As per every year though, we expect this to land in the sister subscription, EA Play, a few months down the line. Of course, holding out until then is near impossible…
A Breakdown of the Matchday Programme
Here’s what you can expect from this new season of football:
- The Next Chapter in The World’s Game: Powered by match data from 20,000+ authentic players.
- New Authentic vs. Competitive Gameplay Options: A true-to-life experience for Career, and a responsive feel for FUT and Clubs.
- Revamped Ultimate Team and Career Modes: New Live Events, Manager Challenges, and Player Archetypes.
- Early Access Available: Play up to 7 days early by purchasing the Ultimate Edition.
The stadium lights are on and the roar of the crowd is waiting. If you’re ready to build your dream team, lead your club to glory, and prove that you’re the best in The World’s Game, EA SPORTS FC 26 is ready for you on the Xbox Store right now, playable on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. There’s a PlayStation and PC version too.
Party Time!
Further, EA FC 26 is taking over the Red Bull Gaming Sphere in London, and starting today until 25th September, fans can drop in between 12pm-10pm to play EA SPORTS FC 26 for free, ahead of its official release.
The excitement continues on Friday, too, with a retro-themed event and an evening afterparty… much like the launch party that we were recently invited to.
Details…
- 26 Sept 2025 – Retro Day (12pm–5pm): A throwback celebration with retro-inspired open play stations, tournaments, and football nostalgia. Open to all fans, free to attend.
- 26 Sept 2025 – Welcome to the Club Party (6pm-10pm): The week finishes with an afterparty featuring a Special Guest DJ set playing tracks inspired by the greatest EA SPORTS FC Soundtracks. Tickets cost £5, sign-up here: https://win.gs/47RB2MS
Throughout the week, fans can expect plenty of shareable moments both onsite and online, as well as fun tournaments and quality prizes – including Premier League match tickets and replica kits.
EA SPORTS FC 26 Description
The Club is Yours in EA SPORTS FC™ 26.
