EA Sports has confirmed the FC 26 release date, giving players a clear target for when the new season kicks off. Here’s everything you need to know, including early access details, supported platforms, and a quick look at previous release patterns.
FC 26 Release Date and Early Access
- Standard Edition release: Friday, September 26, 2025 — available worldwide on all supported platforms.
- Ultimate Edition early access: Friday, September 19, 2025 — gives players a full week’s head start.
This mirrors EA’s long-standing habit of launching in the last week of September, with early access granted the Friday before.
Should You Buy the Ultimate Edition?
The Ultimate Edition is best for players who want a head start and plan to invest significant time in Ultimate Team or competitive play. Here’s what you get beyond the Standard Edition:
- 7 days early access (play from September 19 instead of September 26)
- 6,000 FC Points (4,500 on Switch) over two months to spend on Ultimate Team packs, entries, or cosmetics
- Season 1 Premium Pass for extra rewards during the first in-game season
- Extra Player Evolution slot to develop cards faster in Ultimate Team
- Exclusive kits and vanity items for customization
- ICON Player Item to kick-start your FUT squad
Worth it if:
- You’re active in Ultimate Team from day one and want to trade and compete early.
- You value exclusive cosmetics and progression boosts.
- You’re a returning player who takes advantage of the FC Points and bonuses.
Probably skip if:
- You mainly play Career Mode, Kick-Off, or local multiplayer.
- Early access and Ultimate Team perks aren’t important to you.
Platforms at Launch
FC 26 will launch on:
- PlayStation 5
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox Series X|S
- Xbox One
- PC (EA App, Steam, Epic Games Store)
- Nintendo Switch
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Amazon Luna
Switch 2 owners will, for the first time, have full feature parity with high-end platforms. The original Switch will still receive a slightly scaled version, but with noticeable upgrades compared to older “Legacy” releases.
Past EA Football Game Release Dates
EA has been remarkably consistent with its football game launches, almost always targeting late September. Here’s a quick look at the last few years:
| Game | Standard Release Date | Early Access Start |
|---|---|---|
| EA Sports FC 25 | September 27, 2024 | September 20, 2024 |
| EA Sports FC 24 | September 29, 2023 | September 22, 2023 |
| FIFA 23 | September 30, 2022 | September 27, 2022 |
| FIFA 22 | October 1, 2021 | September 27, 2021 |
From this, you can see that late September has become the reliable launch window — with Ultimate Edition or EA Play subscribers often getting a head start by 3–7 days.
Why the Release Date Matters
- Competitive advantage in Ultimate Team: Early access players shape the transfer market and climb leaderboards before general release.
- Season synergy: Dropping in late September aligns with the heart of the European football season, keeping the game’s real-world tie-ins fresh.
- Predictable schedule: Knowing the date helps players plan pre-orders, console upgrades, and time off.
Quick FAQ: FC 26 Release date
When is the FC 26 release date?
September 26, 2025 for the Standard Edition.
When can I play FC 26 early?
Ultimate Edition owners and EA Play Pro subscribers can start on September 19, 2025.
Which platforms will FC 26 be on?
PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and Amazon Luna.
Does Switch 2 get the full game?
Yes — full feature parity with other high-end platforms.
