TL;DR
- EA FC 26 launches on a wide variety of platforms, including last-gen.
- The release date is set for September 26, with pre-orders now open for its two editions.
- Gameplay overhauls hit passing, dribbling, and player movement mechanics
- Career Mode has new live challenges and the Manager Market.
- FUT sees little change aside from new challenges.
- Clubs has the most improvements overall, including the Be-a-Goalkeeper mode.
The official EA FC 26 reveal has shown us overhauled gameplay, the return of Zlatan, and exciting messaging that community feedback has driven the design of the latest game. Yet, EA’s trailers are often a flashy show that riles up fans with either excitement or disappointment.
You won’t be waiting long for the soccer sim, as the confirmed FC 26 release date is September 25, 2025, and will see the game launch on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PC, and on cloud streaming services. Before that, here’s our look at all the EA FC 26 biggest changes and gameplay features.
How much will EA FC 26 cost?
Since we know that the FC 26 release date will be September 26, 2025, pre-orders are now available. The game will launch in two editions: Standard and Ultimate. Those who pre-order the Ultimate Edition will be able to play the game a week early, starting September 19. Likewise, a 10-hour trial will be available to EA Play subscribers.
The FC 26 pre-order price is split across the two variants. On PlayStation, EA is offering the Ultimate Edition for £89.99 / $89.99, which is £10 / $10 cheaper than on other platforms. This deal only lasts until August 26, 2025.
| EA FC 26 Edition | Price |
|---|---|
| Ultimate Edition | £59.99 / $69.99 |
| Standard Edition | £99.99 / $99.99 |
FC 26 pre order bonuses
Ultimate Edition
- Ultimate Team Icon Player Item (untradeable)
- Ultimate Team Player Evolution for EA FC 25 (untradeable)
- Ultimate Team 1 of 5 Play Pick ICON Player Item for EA FC 25 (untradeable)
- 7 days of Early Access
- Season 1 Premium Pass
- Up to 6,000 FC Points over two months
- One additional Ultimate Team Player Evolution Slot
- Standard Edition Clubs and Career content
- Includes all Standard Edition pre-order bonuses
Standard Edition
- Football Ultimate Team 92+ OVR Icon (untradeable) for EA FC 25
- One Archetype Unlock consumable
- Two Double AXP for 10 matches consumable
- Three ICON Career Players
- Five-Star Coach available for hire in Manager Career
- Five-Star Youth Scout available for hire in Manager Career
- Manager Live Challenge Content
Biggest changes and new features for EA FC 26
EA has hinted at a shake-up of major FC 26 gameplay mechanics. Dribbling and passing have both been improved, alongside AI positioning and more responsive movement. The developers have taken on community feedback while implementing these upgrades over FC 25.
Gameplay presets
The FC 26 trailer shows off the new Gameplay Presets: Competitive and Authentic. The former is “tuned for head-to-head action” in UT and Clubs, boasting faster passing, enhanced goalkeeper AI, and more meticulous control over your players. The latter offers a more realistic, slower experience that suits Career better with “lifelike goalmouth scrambles”, competitive corners, and positionally responsible goalkeepers.
These ‘new’ changes prove that EA loves to claim it has reinvented the wheel. The whole idea behind FC 25’s gameplay was that it was ‘authentic’, slow, and sluggish, and offline games even offered an option to enhance this.
Archetypes
There are new Archetypes in the game now, inspired by footballing legends. These can be applied across Clubs and Player Careers to fine-tune and train your players in different ways.
Archetypes can be up-skilled by earning Archetype XP, upgrading individual attributes, and unlocking Archetype Perks that diversify the playstyle.
Football Ultimate Team
As expected, the interest in FC 26 news is focused around Football Ultimate Team, though there are few gameplay features revealed relating to the mode. There is an upgraded Rivals and Champs experience, alongside the introduction of Tournaments and Live Events.
The introduction of new Bounties will also speed up the grinding and loot collection elements of FUT, while the implementation of Challengers – a lower-division competitive league – should increase the competitive playability for casual players.
Manager and Player Career Mode
The major update to Career is the inclusion of Manager Live Challenges. Players can now grapple with more realistic narratives in their careers, some of which span mere moments while others can take seasons to complete. This is an exciting improvement to add to Career, and one that will dramatically increase the replayability of the mode. Rewards increase Season Points, Vanity, and ICONs and Heroes.
There is also the inclusion of the Manager Market, a feature which little is known about, though EA claims you can see “team tactics transform over time as new managers take the helm, changing the dynamics of every new season.”
Clubs
Finally, Clubs is the last gameplay mode featured in the reveal. There are new Live Events, a modified Rush experience, and new rules. Players can now affiliate with three clubs at a time, while also allowing players to become goalkeepers in a new, revamped experience.
Conclusion
Despite the EA FC 26 release date and price, the reveal of the gameplay has been relatively underwhelming. There has been an apparent focus on live-service features like Tournaments, Manager Live Challenges, and Live Events across game modes, though the core mechanics seem relatively untouched.
As we get closer to the FC 26 release window and we head into early access, we’ll be able to investigate these changes with a little more clarity.
FAQs
Will there be an FC 26?
FC 26 is now official and EA has confirmed the next installment of the game due to release on September 26, 2025.
Will FC 26 be available on PS4?
Yes, FC 26 will be available on PS4 and other last-gen consoles, including Xbox One and the Nintendo Switch. This game has one of the most diverse platform launches ever, even launching on cloud streaming services, all major last-gen consoles, and now the Nintendo Switch 2.
Is FC 26 going to be free?
No, FC 26 will not be free. Typically, EA’s mainline football games are not free-to-play, nor have they ever been.
Who will be the cover star for EA FC 26?
The FC 26 cover stars will be the young duo, Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala, while footballing legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic surprisingly takes the spotlight on the Ultimate Edition.
How much will EA FC 26 cost?
FC 26 will be priced at £59.99 / $69.99 for the base game, or £99.99 / $99.99 for the Ultimate Edition of the game.
What new features are coming in EA FC 26?
There are quite a few new features including upgraded gameplay mechanics (passing, shooting, dribbling), new gameplay presets, player archetypes, and upgraded live-service elements in FUT, Career, and Clubs.
Will FC 26 have the World Cup mode?
Though not confirmed in the trailer, there have been leaks suggesting that EA is trying to license the FIFA World Cup 2026 for the latest game, including a separate game mode and enhanced collaboration with FUT.
