EA has delivered one of the wildest surprises ever seen in Ultimate Team. The new Gritty Cup objective has landed in FC 25, and it is so overpowered that many players now consider the game finished. This unexpected event offers rewards so good that there is almost no reason to grind packs or SBCs anymore.
The headline prize is simple but massive: complete the daily play challenge five times and unlock 99 Ronaldinho plus the Gritty celebration for FC 26. For the first time, a celebration will be tied to an exclusive objective that proves you were active at the end of FC 25.
How to unlock the Gritty celebration in FC 26
To take part, players must enter the new friendlies mode and complete the daily play objective:
- Play six matches or win three matches.
- Repeat on five separate days within two weeks.
- Rewards include an 86×3 pack, an 85×10 pack, insane player picks, and the final prize of 99 Ronaldinho with the Gritty celebration.
The catch is that teams must be all golds. That means common or rare gold players only, no In Forms or specials. This setup acts like a preview of how FC 26’s early squads will look, while also causing extinct prices for meta golds such as Kylian Mbappé, Mohamed Salah, and Vinícius Jr.
Why the Gritty Cup ended FC 25
The player pick rewards are so generous that they have flipped the entire market upside down. For the first three days, players receive a five-of-ten pick of 99-rated items. For the last two days, it becomes a five-of-twenty pick. With FUTTIES, Greats of the Game, and Women’s Euros PTG cards included, almost everyone is packing multiple 99s daily.
This has destroyed the transfer market. Lionel Messi dropped from 1.1 million to just 400k. R9 fell from six million to 3.7 million. No one needs to buy or craft upgrades anymore because the Gritty Cup hands out elite cards for free.
In the image below, you can see our rewards from winning three matches in the cup!
Why EA made the Gritty exclusive
For many players, the biggest twist is not the free 99s, but the Gritty itself. EA confirmed that in FC 26, the Gritty will not be a standard button-input celebration. Instead, only those who complete the Gritty Cup in FC 25 will carry it into the next game.
This exclusivity adds a layer of bragging rights. If you Gritty in FC 26, opponents will instantly know you were active in FC 25’s final stretch. It is a clever way for EA to play on players’ fear of missing out, while also rewarding loyal fans who kept playing through the preseason.
The community response to the Gritty Cup
The reaction has been a mix of shock, laughter, and excitement. Many FUT fans see this as EA’s way of giving the game a proper send-off. Others believe it makes everything else pointless since almost every card can now be obtained without effort. Still, most agree that it is one of the most fun and memorable surprises of the year.
Golden Goal matches are common in the mode, making objectives quick to complete. Players who held onto gold loan cards from earlier in the cycle are finding unexpected value, while others scramble to buy extinct rares. Despite some complaints, the general feeling is that this is EA at their most entertaining.
FAQ about the Gritty Cup in FC 25
What is the Gritty Cup in FC 25?
A friendlies objective giving out 99 Ronaldinho and the Gritty celebration for FC 26.
How many days do I need to play?
You must complete the daily play on five separate days.
Can I unlock the Gritty in FC 26 without playing FC 25?
No, the celebration is exclusive to this FC 25 event.
What player rewards does the Gritty Cup give?
Insane 99-rated player picks, 99 Ronaldinho, and premium packs like 85x10s.
Why are gold players extinct in FC 25?
The mode requires all-gold squads, which caused high demand for rare and meta golds.
