EA FC 26 details key updates for its upcoming esports ecosystem

EA SPORTS has unveiled that major key changes are coming to its EA FC Pro competitive ecosystem for the 2025/26 season.

This includes introducing a reworked qualification pathway, in-game competitive access, and opportunities for amateur players to get to the FC Pro Open and potentially work their way to the FC Pro World Championship.

Starting from the next season, the number of players qualifying through World Championship Play-Ins will double, with direct league qualifications set at 16 and FC Pro Open slots at eight.

The game, which will have early access beginning on September 19th, aims to attract more players to its esports ecosystem.

As a result, EA Sports FC 26 will have the FC Pro Open Ladder registration directly integrated in the game.

Players who reach Division 4 in Rivals on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S between September 22nd and October 1st will have access to the FC Pro, with PlayStation 5 players eligible for progression to the FC Pro Open Regional Qualifiers. Xbox users will only be eligible for in-game rewards.

Players will be ranked using an Elo system, with the best performers advancing to online Regional Qualifiers, which will take place on October 11th and 12th. Each region will have a different number of players depending on its competitiveness. The top 48 players will then compete live at the Pro Open Global Qualifier in Atlanta during DreamHack from October 31st to November 2nd.

There will also be a Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) featuring 256 players fighting for four spots at the Global Qualifier. Compared to this year’s LCQ, the tournament will have half the number of players, with the 128 players on the FC Pro World rankings being prioritized before the open registration, which is set to begin later this month.

The Global Qualifier will follow the same format as this year’s edition, with 64 players competing in a Swiss stage, before moving to a double-elimination stage featuring four groups. The top four from each group (a total of 16 players) will automatically qualify for the FC Pro Open.

The FC Pro Open — running weekly from November 24th to January 26th — will feature 24 players split into four groups of six, with matches played twice against each group opponent.

Group winners will make it to the top eight of the FC Pro Open Finals and secure a direct World Championship spot, alongside second and third place finishers. The winner of the FC Pro Open will be taking home $100,000 (~£74,277) of the $1m prize pool (~£742,776).

For players not competing in the FC Pro Open, there will be three monthly Cup tournaments to compete for a place at the FC Pro World Championship Play-Ins. Competitions will earn points based on their finishing position in each cup, and the top performers from each region will receive an invitation.

EA Sports confirmed that selected partner football leagues will continue to send players directly to the World Championship, giving two seats each. Returning and new league partners will instead have players placed at the World Championship Play-ins.