EA FC 25 adds first paid Battle Pass in time for its biggest event

Jude Bellingham in EA FC 25

A new Premium Pass, which functions much like a Battle Pass, has been added to EA FC 25 with Season 7, featuring exclusive rewards like special player cards, Evolutions, and more.

For years, EA SPORTS FC (or FIFA) has been one of EA’s most reliable money-makers, thanks in no small part to Ultimate Team. The game’s flagship mode lets fans build the team of their dreams by opening packs containing players, using either in-game currency or FC Points bought with real money.

However, despite being the UK’s best-selling title in 2024, it was reported back in January that EA FC 25 didn’t quite meet the publisher’s expectations. Now, with the popular Team of the Season event about to begin, a new Premium Pass has been added across all major modes.

EA FC 25’s new Premium Pass features exclusive rewards

On April 24, EA officially announced the Premium Pass, an addition to the free Season Pass that costs either 500,000 UT Coins, which are earned by playing matches or selling players, or 1,000 FC Points — which works out at just under $10/£9.

Once purchased, you’re entitled to rewards as you level it up by playing Ultimate Team, Career Mode, and Clubs, as well as the ones you would earn anyway through the regular Season Pass. To do this, you’ll need to complete objectives that award SP.

The rewards up for grabs are exclusive to the Premier Pass and can’t be unlocked any other way. It includes prizes for all modes, but mostly focuses on Ultimate Team, including valuable player cards, like Team of the Season Flashbacks and Honourable Mentions, and Evolutions that upgrade your existing players.

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There are 40 levels in total, with the final rank offering either a tradeable 90+ x 4 pack or Immortal Icon Franck Ribery.

Rewards on EA FC 25 Premium Pass

Of course, this is a totally optional extra that you don’t need to buy, but given that Ultimate Team is already fairly heavy on microtransactions, some players aren’t happy with the addition.

“This is honestly a new low,” said one angry player responding to the announcement post on X, while another added: “Having Players EXCLUSIVE to the Paid Season pass is extremely greedy and is not the path to go down.”

However, there were also those who defended the move, arguing that a Battle Pass is common in other games and the rewards are worthwhile.

“People saying ‘greedy’ as if every other game doesn’t have a paid pass already,” said one player. “EA have done it the right way too, instead of paying with only real money, they give you a way to access it without spending real money.”

“‘Money hungry?’ Look at it in-game, it’s 500k coins and super worth it,” added another.

With many players likely returning to EA FC 25 in time for Team of the Season, the publisher will no doubt be monitoring sales of the Premium Pass to see if this becomes a regular addition..