Ultimate Scream is set to return in FC 26 Ultimate Team on Friday, October 24, and it will run for two full weeks. Expect a Halloween-first vibe with dark orange accents, a lunar backdrop on the cards, and a slate of items tuned to shake up the early meta. The promotion lands right after the Ratings Reload cycle, which positions it as the first real power spike of the season for many squads.
The design language points toward a classic Halloween identity, and the card frame hints at event-specific mechanics. Historically, Ultimate Scream has used time-bound boosts tied to spooky themes. With FC 26 leaning hard into PlayStyles and PlayStyle+, this two-week window is primed to deliver cards that are fun, usable, and memorable in FUT Champs.
Dynamic boosts and PlayStyle+
Older Halloween promos in football titles sometimes featured rotating stat boosts that changed during set windows. The moon motif on the FC 26 design suggests a return of time-based power spikes, which would create short bursts of chaos in Weekend League and Rivals.
PlayStyle+ will likely headline the upgrades. Expect attackers to recieve 
Technical+, 
Quick Step+, or 
Rapid+, while elite creators could pick up 
Tiki Taka+ or 
Incisive Pass+. Defenders might land Anticipate or 
Jockey+, and keepers could see 
Footwork+. These abilities change how cards feel in matchplay more than raw stats alone, which is why PlayStyle+ distribution will define the promo’s winners.
Projected player pool, chemistry angles, and promo heroes
Ultimate Scream usually blends fan-favorite forwards with crafty mids and a few athletic defenders. Expect a mix of top-five league stars supported by affordable, low-budget beasts that slot neatly into hybrid squads. Chemistry will be a talking point if special Heroes appear. Promo Heroes can unlock new squad builds because they link by league and offer unique chemistry anchors. A Halloween-styled Hero drop inside the event would make squad building both easier and trickier, since popular leagues could spike in price.
Hybrid builders should watch strong-nation trios and soft links that connect Halloween cards to common meta cores. If a top item lands in the Premier League or LaLiga, coins will flow into adjacent roles, which often lifts the prices of full backs, secondary strikers, and CDMs that share league or nation.
Market outlook for the two-week event
The market tends to wobble during big promos. There is the classic pattern where players sell before content, buy the hot pulls on day one, then rotate again after the first FUT Champs rewards. With Ultimate Scream lasting two weeks, plan for a mid-event lull followed by a late rebound as supply dries and demand narrows to the most effective cards.
Fodder can heat up if Squad Building Challenges land daily. If nightly puzzle SBCs and one or two marquee players arrive, 86–89 fodder usually catches a bid. Meta risers often include popular full backs with pace plus Jockey/Intercept styles, press-resistant CMs with Tiki Taka or First Touch, and tall strikers who gain Aerial or Power Header alongside strength boosts. None of this is guaranteed, but the two-week cadence usually pushes multiple price cycles. Stay liquid, list into spikes, and avoid holding cards through Sunday night if you are risk averse.
How to prepare your club before October 24
Clear space in your club so you can recycle duplicates quickly into upgrade SBCs. Hold a modest coin float for snipes during the first 48 hours, since that window often reveals the true meta pieces. If you want to craft, wait for the first high-value SBC to set fodder direction. For rivals and FUT Champs, build at least two lineup variants, one with pace wide options and another with a deeper double pivot, since Ultimate Scream can shift the meta toward either direct counters or possession-heavy control.
Why Ultimate Scream fits FC 26 so well
FC 26 is built around feel, not just numbers. PlayStyles change animations and decision speed, which means a Halloween promo that hands out specific PlayStyle+ buffs can redefine match tempo overnight. A winger with Rapid+ and Quick Step+ feels like a different tier. A controller midfielder with Tiki Taka+ and Incisive Pass turns mid-blocks into chance factories. A center back with Anticipate and Jockey+ tracks through-balls in a way raw pace cannot match.
The design also suits seasonal events. Halloween rewards flare and fun, which gives EA room to pick cult heroes and community favorites rather than only the obvious headliners. If the set includes a handful of budget terrors, you will see creative squads all over Champs. That is when Ultimate Team is at its best, since variety keeps matchmaking fresh.
Content cadence to watch during the two weeks
Day 1 and Day 2 usually deliver the biggest shakeup, since that is when pack supply is highest and prices race to settle. Expect at least one Player SBC early, likely a winger or attacking midfielder to headline the night. By midweek, you can look for an Objective card or mini-release that nudges the market again. Weekend 2 tends to bring a final wave that cements the top items and clears the underperformers.
Upgrade SBCs, 82+ and 83+ doubles, and position-targeted upgrades can keep fodder moving. If Evolutions appear in parallel, especially for full backs or CMs, there will be short trading windows on suitable base cards. Be patient, and avoid chasing after large green arrows. List into demand, not after it.
Tips for gameplay during Ultimate Scream
Be ready to adapt your defense to explosive wingers. Manual jockeying, conservative depth, and cover center can help while people test new toys. If you face PlayStyle+ strikers, consider a more physical CB pairing with Aerial or Jockey enhancements to blunt crosses and first-time shots. In attack, aim for PlayStyle synergy. Pair a Technical+ playmaker with a Rapid+ runner, or match a strong target with a Quick Step+ second striker. Chemistry still matters, but in FC 26, animation control often wins.
Bottom line for October 24 through November 7
Two weeks is enough time for multiple flips and for a clear tier list to form. If you want to play it safe, sell high on Friday night peaks, buy back on Saturday or Sunday dips, and only lock in long holds once the community settles on the top three or four must-use items. If dynamic boosts rotate on set days, track the schedule so you can time your purchases or sales. It sounds obvious, but timing is the edge here, and it will definately separate the tidy traders from the chasers.
FAQ about FC 26 Ultimate Scream
When does Ultimate Scream start in FC 26?
Friday, October 24, running for two weeks.
How long does the event last?
Fourteen days, through the second weekend.
Will cards have dynamic or time-based boosts?
Expect time-bound boosts tied to the promo’s theme.
Do promo Heroes feature in Ultimate Scream?
Yes, special Heroes are expected within the lineup.
