EA released the FC 25 Ultimate Team launch update pitch notes, filled with changes to FUT Champs and other modes. FUT Champs has grabbed attention, but there are several other changes bringing excitement and a few concerns.
Market Changes and Rewards
The FC 25 update will show player prices directly on the card. Rewards have undergone adjustments across various modes, and matchmaking has been altered. Evolutions remain a hot topic, and the community has raised several questions about how these changes will impact the early game. The FC 25 web app launch has been delayed by one day, going live on September 19th. This is the shortest web app period ever, leaving little time to make an impact before the Ultimate Edition release at midnight on September 20th.
Players who change their location to New Zealand on Xbox or PlayStation will access the Ultimate Edition earlier than others, due to the time zone difference. Returning user rewards, including welcome backpacks, will provide some player packs, though these may be untradeable this year. Early Access begins on September 20th, while the worldwide launch for the standard edition is set for September 27th.
Season Structure: Total Rush
EA has combined the season pass for all game modes, including Ultimate Team, Clubs, and Career Mode. Instead of earning XP, players now accumulate SP, which contributes to progress across all modes. While this change allows flexibility, concerns arise about the potential need to play modes like Career Mode or Clubs to fully progress in Ultimate Team.
The rewards system is divided between Ultimate Team and other modes, with Clubs and Career Mode rewards available early on, while Ultimate Team rewards will come later in the season. New SP objectives have also been introduced in Clubs and Player Career modes.
Ultimate Team Mode and Reward Changes
The most significant changes impact FUT Champs, where the playoffs structure now requires three wins out of five games to qualify for finals, making the process more competitive. Players will have 18 attempts across five weekend leagues per month, and if they fail to qualify, re-entry may require earning points from Rivals.
Rewards for FUT Champs have dramatically improved. For example, players achieving 15-0 will receive 200,000 coins, a tradeable 84 and 85 x 10 pack, and an untradeable base icon, among other rewards. These changes revive the competitiveness of FUT Champs, encouraging players to aim for higher ranks.
Rank-based rewards also incentivize top-tier performance. Rank two offers 110,000 coins and two 8410 tradable packs, while rank five, which requires nine wins, provides 45,000 coins and a Max 87 Hero.
Division Rivals Changes
In Division Rivals, players must now win 15 games to achieve reward upgrades, a significant increase from the previous seven. The point-based system awards one point for a draw and three for a win, with disconnects counting as draws. However, this extended gameplay requirement is drawing criticism, and many may opt to play fewer Rivals matches.
Rewards in Elite Division include 75,000 coins and 85+ player picks, but the extended gameplay time may deter players from investing too much in Rivals, shifting the focus to other modes.
Squad Battles and Friendlies
Squad Battles require fewer games—14 instead of 32—but the impact on rewards remains unclear. Despite the reduced gameplay, EA has promised that players can still progress through evolutions and objectives.
In live friendlies, EA has improved matchmaking by linking it to form instead of Rivals division, making it fairer. Additionally, only full match losses will affect form, preventing manipulation through quitting.