EA FC 26 early access guide & 10 hour trial tips
Getting into EA FC 26 early can give you a massive head start in Ultimate Team—whether that’s building coins, testing squads, or dominating rivals before launch day. This guide covers which edition gets you which release date, how much EA Play costs and what you can do to maximize your 10 hour trial this year.
Early Access Method 1: Ultimate Edition
The easiest way to play the game early, with no restrictions on time, is to purchase the Ultimate Edition. Here’s how the editions compare:
- Ultimate Edition: Grants up to 7 days of Early Access starting September 19, 2025.
- Standard Edition: Full release on September 26, 2025—no early play.
Here’s more information on both editions and what they include.
If you pre-order the Ultimate Edition by August 26, 2025, you’ll also receive exclusive bonuses like a Debut ICON, extra Ultimate Team perks, and more.
Early Access Method 2: EA Play Membership
EA An EA Play subscription costs:
- $4.99 / £3.99 per month, or
- $29.99 / £19.99 annually
Membership perks for EA FC 26 include:
- 10% off the digital purchase price (can stack with loyalty discount for up to 20% off).
- 10-hour trial of the full game starting with Early Access.
- Monthly rewards and in-game content drops.
10 Hour Trial Early Access Tips
EA SportsTrading Tips for Web & Companion App
- Buy High-Rated FUT Cards: Target 82–84 OVR cards (900–1400 coins) before demand spikes with SBC releases.
- Don’t Quick Sell: Always list cards on the market—even if you have to relist multiple times.
- Be Smart with Chemistry Styles: Don’t apply them early—sell them for profit instead.
- Cash Isn’t King: Early on, investing in players with growth potential is better than hoarding coins.
Time Management is Key
Your EA Play trial gives you 10 hours, so don’t waste it in menus. Focus on matches to maximize coins and rewards.
Build Your FUT Team in Advance
Have the Web or Companion App open while you play—this makes squad building faster and more efficient.
Complete SBCs in the App
Don’t spend console time finding players for Squad Building Challenges. Do it from your phone or browser.
Buying Packs During Early Access
You can buy packs during early access. The best method? Buy FIFA Points on console, then open the packs in the Web/Companion App to avoid wasting your precious 10 hours on animations.
Can you buy packs in early access?
This is always one of the biggest questions each year… Can you buy packs in early access? The answer is absolutely, yes. The best approach is to buy the FC Points on early access but open the packs using Companion or Web App – save yourself the time of animations cutting into those 10 hours.