The FC community is hyped up about this Friday’s upcoming FC 26 Ratings Reload promo, a concept that could shake up player ratings across Ultimate Team. The idea is simple — players who were rated too high or too low at launch will have their cards “reloaded” with new ratings. But here’s the real question: are we looking at just upgrades, or downgrades too?
With limited leaks so far, the promo’s mystery has made it the main conversation this week. Let’s break down what’s known so far, how the market is reacting, and what traders should expect before Rivals rewards drop on Thursday.
Monday SBCs and Market Movement
Monday’s content stayed quiet but still left room for solid trading. The standout was Evander, an affordable SBC costing just 13,000 coins. The Brazilian MLS midfielder offers Trevella Gamechanger, Long Ball Pass, and Shadow Striker Plus+ playstyles, making him a steal for tournaments like the Cornerstones Exhibition.
Meanwhile, Luany, the week’s Player of the Month SBC, fell flat at 54,000 coins due to limited upgrades in key areas like dribbling and balance. Despite her versatility across right mid, wing, and striker, most players passed because of her high price.
The 78×2 Upgrade Pack also returned, requiring six rare golds and one common. It’s decent club-filler content, but many players ran short on rares after recent upgrades. EA also acknowledged that Club Foundations Objectives are still bugged — another minor frustration for the week.
Rising Cards and Transfer Market Advice
Even with minimal content, the market ticked upward. Gold cards like Joshua Kimmich, Angelo Stiller, and Bryan Mbeumo saw noticeable increases, with Mbeumo jumping from 10,000 to 14,000 coins. Ryan Gravenberch also climbed from 60 K to 69 K before dipping slightly overnight.
The standout mover was Clàudia Pina, who hit 80,000 coins after a price-range update. However, with her gold version returning to packs soon, this hype won’t last forever. Traders holding multiple copies should sell gradually to avoid potential market bans.
Elsewhere, Nico Williams, Cole Palmer, João Félix, and Benjamin Pavard showed steady growth within the Cornerstones promo set. Icons and Heroes remain strong fluctuation options, as the market has stabilized enough to favor patient bidding and smart reselling.
FC 26 Ratings Reload — What We Know
Now for the big one: FC 26 Ratings Reload. EA’s description suggests this promo re-evaluates base gold cards to reflect real-life performances. Think of it as a modern twist on the old Winter Refresh promos.
EA teased voting features on the FC website, allowing fans to rate players as “rated” or “underrated.” Players like Ousmane Dembélé, Mohamed Salah, Lamine Yamal, and Harry Kane were included in these polls. However, EA has yet to confirm if community votes directly influence the promo squad.
A German EA teaser hinted at Loïs Openda being featured, alongside leaks from FIFA Trading Romania suggesting upgrades for Orkun Kökçü, Arda Güler, Dani Olmo, and Florian Wirtz. Interestingly, some fans joked that Wirtz deserves a downgrade — and if EA includes downgrades in this promo, it could make Ratings Reload one of the most unique events in years.
The idea of both upgrades and downgrades adds unpredictability — cheaper versions of overhyped cards could flood the market, while underused players might receive viable boosts.
What to Expect This Week
Short-term market shifts hinge on Ratings Reload leaks and Team of the Week 4 predictions. Kaoru Mitoma and Vinícius Jr. are among rumored inclusions, driving early investments.
Expect fodder prices (especially 88–89 rated cards like Rodri) to rise as Player of the Month SBCs for Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Christian Pulisic approach. Traders are targeting cheap bids on 88s (~11 K) and 89s (~19 K).
Tuesday’s content should bring minor SBC refreshes — possibly an 84+ Upgrade Pack or Cornerstones evolution update. Keep an eye on Turner from the NWSL as a potential SBC release.
