The global launch of a new EA Sports FC title is one of the most anticipated moments in the gaming world. For football fans across the globe, knowing exactly when you can dive into Career Mode or start building your Ultimate Team is vital. Based on EA’s consistent annual release pattern, including FC 24 and the expected FC 25, we can project a reliable timeline for FC 26. This schedule rewards players who opt for premium editions or EA subscriptions with early access benefits, giving them a head start in gameplay and market activity. Many players also prepare by securing in-game currency early, such as buy FC 26 Coins, to maximize their advantage from day one.



Understanding the Three-Phase Release Strategy

Early Access Period: Available to Ultimate Edition buyers and EA Play Pro subscribers, starting a week before the global release.

EA Play Trial: Standard EA Play members get a 10-hour trial, starting alongside Early Access.

Standard Edition Global Launch: The official release date for all Standard Edition owners worldwide.

FC 26 Ultimate Edition & EA Play Pro Early Access

For those who want to play FC 26 at the earliest possible time, Early Access is the key. This benefit is exclusive to players who pre-order the Ultimate Edition or subscribe to EA Play Pro on PC. Historically, EA launches its football titles on the last Friday of September, with Early Access beginning the previous Friday. Following this tradition, the projected date for FC 26 Early Access is:



Friday, September 19, 2025

This seven-day lead time is a significant advantage, especially for Ultimate Team enthusiasts who want to start trading, complete Squad Building Challenges (SBCs), and assemble a competitive squad before the wider player base joins.



FC 26 Standard Edition Global Launch

For the majority of players who purchase the Standard Edition, the official worldwide release is expected one week after Early Access begins. This date marks the point when FC 26 becomes available to all players across PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch.



Friday, September 26, 2025

Projected Global Launch Times

EA has recently moved away from rolling midnight launches in favor of a synchronized global release time, often set to midnight UK time. This ensures fairness for competitive modes like Ultimate Team. Below is a projected launch time table for both Early Access and Standard Edition releases, assuming a 12:00 AM UK start:



Time Zone Region / Major City Projected Launch Time

PDT Los Angeles, Vancouver 4:00 PM (Previous Day)

MDT Denver, Salt Lake City 5:00 PM (Previous Day)

CDT Chicago, Mexico City 6:00 PM (Previous Day)

EDT New York, Toronto 7:00 PM (Previous Day)

BRT Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo 8:00 PM (Previous Day)

BST London, Lisbon 12:00 AM

CEST Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Rome 1:00 AM

SAST Johannesburg, Cape Town 1:00 AM

GST Dubai 3:00 AM

IST New Delhi, Mumbai 4:30 AM

SGT Singapore, Hong Kong 7:00 AM

JST Tokyo 8:00 AM

AEST Sydney, Melbourne 9:00 AM

NZST Auckland 11:00 AM

EA Play 10-Hour Trial

Standard EA Play subscribers can access a 10-hour trial of the full game starting at the same time as Early Access. This allows players to get a feel for the game, start building their squads, and carry progress over to the full release. Once the trial time is used, access will pause until the Standard Edition release date.



Pre-Loading FC 26

Pre-loading ensures you can jump straight into the game as soon as it unlocks. Typically, pre-loads are available 2–3 days before Early Access begins. For FC 26, this would likely be around September 16–17, 2025. Players can pre-load through the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, EA App, or Steam after pre-ordering.



Early Access vs Standard Edition: Key Differences

Feature Early Access (Ultimate Edition / EA Play Pro) Standard Edition

Start Date September 19, 2025 September 26, 2025

Full Game Access Yes Yes

Trial Option Not applicable 10-hour EA Play trial (if subscribed)

Ultimate Team Advantage 7-day head start No head start

With this structured release, players can plan their entry into FC 26 based on their edition choice and subscription status. Those aiming for competitive advantage in Ultimate Team or early Career Mode progression will benefit most from Early Access. Alongside preparation, securing resources like cheap FC 26 Coins in advance can further enhance the launch experience.