FUT Champions & Challengers: Format, Rules & Changes explained

EA Sports is reshaping the competitive landscape of Ultimate Team in FC 26 by redefining Champions and introducing Challengers. Think of it like European football: Champions is the top-tier competition — the Champions League of Ultimate Team — while Challengers acts as the Europa League version, giving more players a shot at tournament football without needing elite Rivals progress.

The Playoff system is gone, replaced by a simpler route: qualify for Champions directly through Rivals by reaching the right division and earning enough Champions Qualification Points. Meanwhile, Challengers opens up a parallel competitive path with meaningful rewards during the week, designed for those who want that tournament feel without the same pressure.

Together, these updates make Ultimate Team competition more accessible, rewarding, and engaging than ever before.

Champions Format in FC 26

• Once qualified, you enter the Champions Finals, a limited-time competition that runs each weekend.
• You have a set number of matches to play (maximum 20).
• Your goal is to win as many as possible—each win earns more points than a loss.
• At the end of the event, your total points determine your Rank, with higher Ranks offering better rewards.

Rewards

• Rewards are based entirely on the Rank you finish at.
• The better your record, the higher your Rank, and the better your packs, coins, and player picks.
• You don’t need to wait until the event closes—Champions rewards are available as soon as you finish your matches or when the event ends if you don’t complete them.

What’s changed in FUT Champions?

• Playoffs Removed: In past years, players had to fight through Playoffs to qualify for Champions. Feedback showed that Playoffs often felt tougher than Champions itself, and for top players it was just an extra skill check each week.
• New Qualification Path: In FC 26, Playoffs are gone. You now qualify for Champions directly through Rivals. To enter:
  • Reach the required Rivals Division (exact division to be confirmed in the Launch Update Pitch Notes).
  • Collect the necessary Champions Qualification Points (CQP).
• This creates a smoother, more direct route into Champions without an extra barrier.

New Challengers tier

• What It Is: Challengers is a new competition tier designed for players who aren’t in the top Rivals divisions.
• Why It Exists: Not everyone can make it to Champions, but many still want that competitive tournament feel. Challengers gives more players the opportunity to enjoy the structure, intensity, and rewards of Champions—without needing to reach the very highest levels.
• Rewards & Format: Challengers has its own unique format and reward structure, separate from Champions. It provides scaled-down but meaningful rewards, making it a valuable step on the competitive ladder.

Why This Matters

• Champions remains the pinnacle competition in FUT.
• Challengers opens up the competitive experience to a wider player base, giving more FUT players the chance to compete in high-stakes matches.
• Removing Playoffs means less grind, more fairness, and a smoother path for both elite and casual competitors.