EA Sports has shared details on the latest iteration of its popular Ultimate Team game mode ahead of the EA FC 26 release date.
For the first time in franchise history, the FC Pro esports circuit will be directly integrated into the sports simulation title.
The addition of FC Pro Live Events in EA Sports FC 26 aims to provide the best players in the world with an opportunity to compete against each other.
Players can register for tournaments directly from the Ultimate Team menus in addition to competing in regional leaderboards, where their peak ELO rating will determine their rankings. For PlayStation 5 players, the integration will allow them to qualify for upcoming FC Pro events taking place throughout the year.
Elsewhere, EA Sports 26 will see in-game tournaments return as another way of playing Ultimate Team matches. Tournaments will feature specific entry requirements and a limited number of entries.
Alongside the FC Pro integration and the return of tournaments, the developers have added a Challengers tier to its Champions mode. The highest tier of Champions will provide players with greater competition and a variety of in-game rewards.
How Will It Impact Esports?
The integration of FC Pro directly into Ultimate Team has the potential to bring new eyes to the EA FC esports scene. As one of the biggest-selling sports titles in the world, millions of players will have an opportunity to compete in tournaments.
Despite its large player base, EA FC esports has struggled to attract solid viewing figures. The eChampions League is the only tournament of 2025 to attract more than 100,000 peak viewers according to Esports Charts.
As a result of the integration, there’s every chance EA Sports FC 26’s esports efforts will translate to growth within the FC Pro ecosystem.
