The release of EA Sports FC25 is fast approaching, and players are eager to know if we’ll be seeing the return of the much-loved Welcome Back packs, also known as Loyalty Rewards, that help kickstart the Ultimate Team mode. EA has teased some exciting developments in recent updates, but will these coveted packs make their return this year? Let’s dive into the details and speculate based on recent news and clues EA has dropped.
What Are Welcome Back Packs in Ultimate Team?
For those new to Ultimate Team or returning after a long break, Welcome Back packs were rewards EA Sports provided to players who played previous versions of FIFA Ultimate Team, usually spanning from FIFA 22 and earlier. These packs were typically given at the start of each new FIFA game to help returning players build their squads. These packs could include valuable cards, such as gold players, and even tradable rare items that gave early coins and player resources, making the initial grind much easier.
In FIFA 23, these packs were vital for early success in Ultimate Team, offering tradable gold players with an 80+ rating. Some players even packed high-value cards, like In-Form players, which could be sold for a significant amount of coins early in the game. These packs were a lifeline, allowing players to quickly build competitive squads and tackle early objectives like advanced SBCs.
However, in FC24, these packs were noticeably absent, leaving players to grind through foundation SBCs and objectives with little to no help from EA. Many fans were left disappointed, especially considering how sluggish the Web App was in FC24 compared to previous years.
Will EA Bring Back Welcome Back Packs for FC25?
EA has been teasing something new in terms of loyalty rewards for FC25. Recently, some eagle-eyed players spotted a small detail in the PlayStation Store’s legal section. Hidden within the fine print, EA mentions something called Club Membership for FC25, which will offer exclusive benefits, including rewards across various game modes like Ultimate Team, Pro Clubs, and Career Mode.
According to the store description, players who played FC24 before September 27th and log into FC25 before November 1st will be eligible for this Club Membership. But here’s the catch—it’s unclear if these rewards will include tradable packs similar to the old Welcome Back rewards or if they’ll be more cosmetic, like badges and kits.
What Does This Mean for the FC25 Market?
The absence of Welcome Back packs in FC24 had a massive impact on the in-game market. In FIFA 23, with the presence of tradable Welcome Back packs, players were able to flood the market early with cards like Vinicius Jr. and Erling Haaland, causing their prices to rise quickly. For example, Haaland’s card skyrocketed from 30,000 coins to over 400,000 as players packed him early and demand spiked during the game’s first few weeks.
In contrast, FC24’s market saw inflated prices for meta cards like Vinicius Jr. and Haaland, as fewer players were packing these cards. Without the initial tradable supply, the market became sluggish, and prices remained artificially high. This could easily happen again in FC25 if EA doesn’t bring back the Welcome Back packs, leading to a slow start for players trying to build competitive squads.
Club Membership: The New Loyalty Program
The new Club Membership teased by EA could be the next phase of loyalty rewards in FC25, but there’s uncertainty around whether this will include the highly sought-after packs. From the language used, it seems that this program is aimed more at offering exclusive cosmetic items like badges and kits, rather than the tradable packs that players are hoping for. However, there’s still a possibility that this membership could evolve over time to include more significant rewards, potentially bringing back the beloved packs in some form.
What to Expect Next?
While it’s still unclear whether EA will bring back Welcome Back packs in FC25, the introduction of Club Membership could offer some rewards for loyal players. For more official information, we’re waiting on the launch update pitch notes from EA, which could drop in the coming days. This document will provide more details about the rewards structure and give us a clearer picture of what to expect at the start of FC25.
In the meantime, stay tuned for more updates and tips on how to maximize your experience in FC25 as we get closer to launch. If you’re interested in keeping up with the latest Ultimate Team news and strategies, check out the official EA Sports FC website for updates.
