Early leaks for FC 26 Ultimate Team have surfaced, revealing potential changes such as the return of tournaments, removal of FUT Champs Playoffs, and new player roles. While none of this has been officially confirmed by EA Sports, the details come from trusted sources and offer a preview of what might be coming in next season’s game.

Live events and tournament-based objectives set to redefine the FC 26 experience

With Team of the Season still active in FC 25, fans may be surprised to learn that early leaks about FC 26 Ultimate Team have already surfaced. Shared by reliable leaker Detective Foot, the information outlines major gameplay and structural changes that could reshape the entire FUT experience. From the return of tournament modes to a rework of FUT Champions access, EA Sports appears to be taking a bold approach with FC 26. Although these features are still in testing, the leaks have sparked major discussion across the community.

Live events and tournaments set to take center stage

According to the leaks, the core focus of FC 26 Ultimate Team will be tournaments and live events. While this sounds like a brand-new mode, it is actually an expansion of what already exists in the Live FUT Friendlies tab and other time-limited content. Instead of being tucked away in one-off cups, tournaments will now be more structured, featured prominently, and come with cup-based rewards and card-specific objectives.

Up to two tournaments will be released weekly, one competitive and one friendly. Competitive tournaments are expected to use some form of matchmaking or ranking system based on your past results, while the friendly version may be open matchmaking to allow all players a shot at rewards.

These tournaments will offer special objectives and additional bonuses such as SBC rewards and unique cards tied to the competition. The goal appears to be offering consistent, engaging events throughout the week without relying only on FUT Champs and Rivals.

Goodbye FUT Champs Playoffs, hello Foot Champs Challengers

Another standout change from the leaks is the removal of FUT Champions Playoffs. In FC 26, players in Division 5 or higher will qualify directly for FUT Champions without having to complete a separate qualifying phase. This is a big step toward simplifying the competitive structure.

For those in Division 6 or lower, EA will introduce a new format called FUT Champs Challengers. This will serve as an accessible version of FUT Champs, tailored for lower-ranked players. While the concept sounds promising, some fans have raised concerns about potential smurfing, where players intentionally drop divisions to take advantage of easier matchmaking and rewards.

EA may prevent this by scaling the rewards appropriately. High-division players would have access to stronger rewards and competition, while lower-division rewards would be less enticing, discouraging abuse of the new format.

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New player roles and renamed playstyles add a fresh layer

Leaks also reveal that new player roles are in development for FC 26, adding tactical depth to squad building. Some of the new roles include:

  • Wide Back for center backs, suggesting more positional flexibility
  • Box Crasher for CDMs, likely pushing them forward in attacking phases
  • Inverted Wing Back for fullbacks, who would drift inside more often

In addition to roles, several existing playstyles are being renamed or reworked. These include:

  • Bruiser becoming Enforcer
  • Aerial becoming Aerial Fortress
  • Flair becoming Trailblazer
  • Trivela becoming Inventive

There is also a mention of a new concept called Versatility, though its exact function is unclear. These renamings could signal balance changes or visual refreshes to keep playstyles aligned with evolving mechanics and animations.

Division Rivals rework introduces stage-based objectives and win streak bonuses

Rivals will also be reworked in FC 26 with several changes to how progression and rewards function. One of the more exciting features is the introduction of win streak bonuses, where a winning streak earns double rivals points. This addition rewards consistency and encourages players to play more matches in succession.

In place of the current checkpoints system, stage-based objectives will now determine progress. These may include tasks like “score first in the next match” or “win two in a row” to unlock additional rewards. While it is not entirely clear how these will replace traditional progression markers, the idea is to make each match more meaningful.

Learn more about FC 26 Ultimate Team leaks from NepentheZ on YouTube.

EA is also testing relegation protection for players on tough losing streaks. Additionally, match-leaving penalties are being explored. This could include time-based bans from matchmaking if a player quits too many games through dashboarding or disconnects. While this may help reduce frustration for committed players, EA will need to ensure that penalties are fair and cannot be exploited.

FC 25 fatigue could be driving early FC 26 interest

One of the reasons these FC 26 leaks are gaining so much attention is due to the current state of FC 25. With TOTS in full swing, many players feel they have already completed their squads. Cards that were once considered top-tier are now being discarded for under 100K coins, and most users are playing with teams stacked with 95+ rated players.

Even untradeables from the season pass such as Ferran Torres, Dan Burn, and Donny van de Beek have outperformed expectations and raised the baseline power level significantly. This power curve acceleration has left many players disengaged, as there is little left to work toward with nearly every squad looking maxed out by May.

This content overload has made the FC 26 changes feel timely. The idea of structured tournaments, improved matchmaking formats and fresh player roles presents hope for more balanced and enjoyable gameplay next season.

Source of leaks and disclaimer

All the leaked information comes from a reputable source @DetectiveFUT, known for accurate early insights into upcoming EA Sports FC features. However, it is important to note that these details are part of the testing phase and are subject to change before the full launch of FC 26.

EA has not yet confirmed any of this information officially, so players should remain cautiously optimistic while waiting for more details.

FAQ: FC 26 Ultimate Team leaks

Will FC 26 have a new tournament mode?

Yes, two live tournament events per week are expected, one competitive and one friendly.

Are FUT Champs Playoffs being removed?

Yes, players in Div 5 and above will qualify automatically. Div 6 and below will enter Foot Champs Challengers.

What are stage-based objectives in Rivals?

They replace checkpoints and reward performance-based tasks like scoring first or winning multiple matches.

Will leaving games be punished in FC 26?

Yes, EA is testing time-based penalties for excessive match quitting or dashboarding.

These early leaks suggest EA is preparing one of the most structured and feature-rich versions of Ultimate Team yet. If implemented well, these changes could bring balance, competitiveness and fresh energy to FC 26.