ESL FACEIT Group has confirmed that the EA SPORTS FC Pro 26 Global Qualifier will take place live at DreamHack Atlanta from October 31 to November 2, 2025, marking the first in-person stage of the new FC Pro season. The tournament will feature a 256-player open bracket, a $152,000 prize pool, and a direct pathway into the $1 million FC Pro Open.
The Global Qualifier will see prize money spread across the top 64 finishers. Players finishing between 17th and 24th will take home $5,000 each, 25th to 32nd will earn $4,000, and 33rd to 64th will receive $2,500. The top performers from the event will secure their place in the FC Pro Open, the flagship competition of the season.
From the ladder to the big stage
This year’s road to DreamHack Atlanta has been restructured to make FC Pro more accessible than ever. The process begins with the FC Pro Open Ladder, available directly inside EA SPORTS FC 26 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S players. From September 22 to October 1, competitors who reach Division 4 in Rivals can enter the ladder and compete daily to earn a place in their Regional Qualifier.
The top players in each region will advance to the FC Pro Open Regional Qualifiers on October 11–12, which will determine the 48 competitors heading to the Global Qualifier. For those who miss out, DreamHack will also host a Last Chance Qualifier on-site, giving more players the opportunity to grab one of the remaining spots.
Who to watch?
Several big names are already confirmed for the Global Qualifier, including Team Liquid’s Emre Yilmaz and ManuBachoore, Team Falcons’ Abu Makkah, Cloud9’s nicolas99fc, and Twisted Minds’ Stingrayjnr. They will join Last Chance Qualifier winners and Regional Qualifier standouts in the Swiss stage, with the top 32 moving into a double elimination bracket. The top four from each group in this stage will advance to the FC Pro Open.
The $1 Million FC Pro Open
Following DreamHack Atlanta, the FC Pro Open will run weekly from November 24, 2025, to January 20, 2026, with finals on January 26. This season’s format introduces “super weeks” at the start and end of the competition for back-to-back matchdays.
A total of $1 million in prize money will be awarded during the FC Pro Open, with the champion earning $100,000 and payouts extending to 24th place. Players will also be competing for direct qualification to the FC Pro World Championship, which will again feature a $1 million prize pool later in 2026.
More Than Just the Open
Alongside the main events, the FC Pro Open Cups will give competitors in every region a chance to earn cash prizes and additional points toward World Championship Play-In qualification. Prize pools for these Cups vary by region, with the largest awards in Europe West and East ($8,500 for first place) and smaller but still significant amounts in regions like LATAM, North America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
This seasonal structure mirrors EA’s approach to other major esports properties, such as the Madden Championship Series, and aims to maintain competitive engagement throughout the year.
A Growing Global Footprint
With the Global Qualifier at DreamHack Atlanta, EA SPORTS and ESL FACEIT Group are blending the high-energy atmosphere of a gaming festival with the intensity of elite-level esports. It also marks a clear shift toward more live, in-person qualification stages, giving players and fans a shared competitive experience.
For casual players, the integration of the FC Pro Open Ladder directly into FC 26 removes many previous barriers to entry, allowing anyone who can reach Division 4 in Rivals to try for a spot on the world stage. For professionals, the expanded qualification pathways and prize pools promise one of the most competitive and rewarding seasons yet.
