The football gaming world has officially moved beyond FIFA. EA Sports continues its rebrand with EA Sports FC 26, scheduled for worldwide release on September 26, 2025. This marks the third installment in the EA Sports FC series, following the company’s separation from FIFA’s licensing agreement in 2022.
When EA’s licensing deal with FIFA expired in December 2022, the gaming giant made a strategic decision that saved it an estimated $150-300 million annually. Despite losing the FIFA name, EA retained licenses for over 19,000 players, 700+ teams, 100 stadiums, and 30+ leagues. The transition has proven successful – EA Sports FC 24 and EA Sports FC 25 both achieved strong sales figures, with FC 25 selling nearly 20 million copies on PlayStation alone.
The “FIFA 26” title simply doesn’t exist as an EA FC Series. Any future game using the FIFA Series name would need to come from a different publisher, as EA now has complete creative control over its football franchise under the EA Sports FC banner.
EA Sports FC 26 represents more than just a rebranded FIFA game. With complete creative freedom, EA has implemented the most significant gameplay and feature changes in years.
The dual preset system addresses long-standing community requests for both competitive and realistic gameplay experiences, while the expanded Career Mode and Archetypes system provide depth that rivals dedicated football management simulations.
EA Sports FC 26 Release Dates & Early Access
Table of Contents
The success of the EA Sports FC rebrand – with FC 25 achieving record-breaking soccer game sales figures – proves that the FIFA name, while nostalgic, wasn’t essential for commercial success. EA’s football franchise has not only survived the transition but also emerged stronger with enhanced creative control and community-focused development.
The current Soccer game in the video game series, EA Sports FC 26, is set to launch across various platforms, including PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch, and the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2.
The FC 26 is available for purchase in three distinct stages.
- Standard Edition Release: September 26, 2025
- Ultimate Edition Early Access: Those who pre-order the Ultimate Edition of the game will be able to play seven days earlier, from September 19.
- September 19, 2025 (7 days early)
- EA Play 10-Hour Trial: September 19, 2025
Major new features in EA Sports FC 26
Revolutionary Gameplay Presets
The game replacing FIFA introduces exciting new features, including fresh Manager Live Challenges with new plotlines and Archetypes inspired by legendary footballers from both the past and present. EA Sports FC 26 introduces two distinct gameplay experiences for the first time
Competitive Preset
Designed for Ultimate Team and Clubs with faster passing, smarter goalkeeper rebounds, and more direct control for competitive online play.
Authentic Preset
Built for Career Mode featuring realistic corner success rates, positionally-responsible defenders, physics-based goalkeeper reactions, and true-to-football gameplay mechanics.
Overhauled Career Mode
The biggest Career Mode update in years includes
Manager Market
AI managers now change clubs throughout seasons, creating dynamic competition
Manager Live Challenges
Real-world scenarios and alternative storylines spanning minutes to multiple seasons.
Data-Driven Scouting
Historical statistics from up to five leagues for informed transfer decisions.
Unexpected Events
Off-pitch drama affecting club management and finances
Archetypes System
A brand-new progression system introduces 13 distinct player archetypes inspired by football legends:
- Each archetype features unique minimum/maximum attribute ranges
- Signature PlayStyles automatically unlock and upgrade to PlayStyle+ as you progress
- Each archetype offers specializations that open up more customization options.
- Archetype XP earned through gameplay unlocks perks and abilities
Enhanced Ultimate Team
Football Ultimate Team receives significant updates:
Live Events
Dynamic competitions with themed challenges and varied match settings.
Tournaments
Knockout-style competitions with up to four rounds.
Challengers Mode
New second-tier weekend competition for lower-division players.
Rivals & Champions Revamp
Direct qualification system with new Bounties and Limited Checkpoints.
Pricing & Editions
| Edition | Price (USD) | Release Date | Key Bonuses | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Edition | $69.99 | September 26, 2025 | • Archetype Unlock Consumable • Double XP Consumables (2x) • Icon Players for Career (3x) • 5-Star Coach & Youth Scout • Manager Live Challenges • 92+ OVR Icon for FUT in FC 25 | PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2 |
| Ultimate Edition | $99.99 | September 19, 2025 (7 days early) | All Standard bonuses PLUS: • 6,000 FC Points (over 2 months) • Extra FUT Evolution Slots (2x) • Season 1 Premium Pass • Limited Time Icon Bonuses* *If pre-ordered by Aug 26 | PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2 |
| Nintendo Switch Standard | $54.99 | September 26, 2025 | Same as Standard Edition bonuses | Nintendo Switch only |
| Nintendo Switch Ultimate | $69.99 | September 19, 2025 (7 days early) | Same as Ultimate Edition but with: • 4,500 FC Points (vs 6,000) • All other Ultimate bonuses included | Nintendo Switch only |
*Limited Time Icon Bonuses available only for pre-orders placed before August 26, 2025
Pre-Order Bonuses (Limited Time Until August 26)
Ultimate Edition buyers who pre-order by August 26, 2025, receive exclusive rewards:
- Untradeable ICON Player Item in FC 26 (upgrades to Champion ICON later)
- Exclusive shooting Evolution boosts any player to 99 in FC 25
- 1 of 5 Player Pick 93+ OVR ICON in FC 25
Technical Improvements from the last edition
HyperMotion V2 Plus Engine
FC 26 runs on EA’s upgraded motion capture technology featuring:
- Over 2,000 new animations, including player transitions and ball physics
- Improved frame blending for smoother dribbling and natural movements
- Unique run cycles based on player height and body type
- Enhanced volumetric animations for more realistic player interactions
Enhanced AI & Physics
Gameplay improvements focus on community-requested changes:
- More responsive dribbling with improved ball shielding
- Smarter AI positioning using machine learning for goalkeeper placement
- Enhanced deflection control and technical improvements to handling
- Refined tackle accuracy and realistic animation transitions
EA Sports FC 26 Platform availability & subscriptions
EA Sports FC 26 will be available through EA Play with a 10-hour trial, and EA Play Pro subscribers on PC get full access from September 19. The game requires Xbox Game Pass Core, Standard, or Ultimate for online multiplayer on Xbox consoles.
For Xbox Game Pass subscribers, FC 26 may eventually join the service, though likely not at launch. Historical patterns suggest EA Sports titles typically arrive on Game Pass 6-12 months after release, especially if competition emerges from other football gaming publishers.
EA SPORTS FC 26 ratings
| Player | Rating | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohamed Salah | 91 | RM | Liverpool |
| Kylian Mbappé | 91 | ST | Real Madrid |
| Ousmane Dembélé | 90 | ST | PSG |
| Rodrigo Hernández Cascante (Rodri) | 90 | CDM | Manchester City |
| Virgil van Dijk | 90 | CB | Liverpool |
| Jude Bellingham | 90 | CAM | Real Madrid |
| Erling Haaland | 90 | ST | Manchester City |
| Raphael Dias Belloli (Raphinha) | 89 | LM | FC Barcelona |
| Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana (Lamine Yamal) | 89 | RM | FC Barcelona |
| Achraf Hakimi | 89 | RB | PSG |
| Vítor Machado Ferreira (Vitinha) | 89 | CM | PSG |
| Gianluigi Donnarumma | 89 | GK | Manchester City |
| Pedro González López (Pedri) | 89 | CM | FC Barcelona |
| Joshua Kimmich | 89 | CDM | FC Bayern Munich |
| Alisson Ramses Becker (Alisson) | 89 | GK | Liverpool |
| Harry Kane | 89 | ST | FC Bayern Munich |
| Federico Valverde | 89 | CM | Real Madrid |
| Vinícius José de Oliveira Júnior (Vini Jr.) | 89 | LW | Real Madrid |
| Florian Wirtz | 89 | CAM | Liverpool |
| Thibaut Courtois | 89 | GK | Real Madrid |
| Robert Lewandowski | 88 | ST | FC Barcelona |
| Lautaro Martínez | 88 | ST | Lombardia FC (Inter Milan) |
| Alexander Isak | 88 | ST | Liverpool |
| Jamal Musiala | 88 | CAM | FC Bayern Munich |
| Gabriel dos S. Magalhães (Gabriel) | 88 | CB | Arsenal |
| Bukayo Saka | 88 | RW | Arsenal |
EA SPORTS FC 26 Mobile
Here are the updated FC Mobile 26 Gameplay Update focuses –
- Kickoff Rush
- Through Passes
- Crossing
- Headers
- Referee Logic
New Features
- New Menus, scoreboards, HUD, buttons
- Updated pre-match and post-match cutscenes
- New Player Item animations for goal celebrations
- New pre-match camera angles
