Confusion about the exact release times: Paradoxically, subscribers to the inexpensive EA Play subscription can play hours earlier than buyers of the expensive Ultimate Edition.
For many soccer fans, the launch of the new EA FC 26 is an annual event that is often associated with the purchase of the Ultimate Edition in order to secure the coveted early access. But this year, players who have invested around 100 euros are surprisingly left empty-handed.
Instead of a simple, uniform activation for all early access participants, EA has set two different global launch times this year—and, absurdly, the cheapest entry option is also the earliest.
The two global launch times for FC 26
The confusion surrounding the exact release time stems from two completely separate time frames: The activation for EA Play (both the 10-hour trial for approximately $6 and the full version via EA Play Pro for $16 per month) is based on the global launch according to the earliest time zone.
As soon as it is midnight in New Zealand, the game will be activated globally there.
→ For players in Germany, the starting signal will therefore already be given on September 18 at 2 p.m. noon.
In contrast, the $100 Ultimate Edition has its own separate and later global launch date. Regardless of the time zone, this version will be released simultaneously for all PC players worldwide, which in this country will be on September 19 at 1 a.m. Buyers of the most expensive edition will therefore have to wait a full 11 hours longer than subscribers.
Double purchase becomes a trap
The situation is particularly annoying for the most loyal customers, who may own both products: As numerous players on the EA forum report, owning the Ultimate Edition seems to override earlier access through EA Play.
So anyone who thought they could cleverly take advantage of the 10-hour trial and then seamlessly continue playing with their Ultimate Edition is in for a nasty surprise. According to user reports, once the Ultimate Edition is activated, the start time in the client is inevitably set to 1:00 a.m.
What this means for you
EA’s planned release structure creates a clear two-tier society at the launch of EA FC 26 on PC. Here’s an overview of the situation for you:
- If you have an active EA Play subscription (for $6): You can already play your ten-hour trial since September 18, 2 p.m..
- If you purchased the Ultimate Edition for PC: Your early access will not begin until September 19, 2025, at 1 a.m.
- Please note if you have both: If you have both EA Play and the Ultimate Edition activated, the system will apparently prioritize the Ultimate Edition license. You will probably have to wait until the later date and may lose the earlier access that comes with the subscription.
So if you are still undecided and want to get started on PC as early as possible, the smartest thing to do right now is to sign up for the monthly EA Play subscription for around $6. This will give you access to the ten-hour trial version at 2 p.m. today, and you can get started right away.
So play your 10 hours first, and then purchase the full version of your choice to carry over your progress and avoid the problem with the different licenses.
