EA FC26 announces big changes to how FUT will work in this year’s game

When an Electronic Arts blog starts, “In FC 26, FUT is changing based on how you play and what you’ve asked for.” I kinda instantly suspect this isn’t going to be what I have asked for, so much as what the bean counters have asked for. But let’s check it out anyway.

What’s new in EA Sports FC26 FUT?

EA Sports has broken down some big changes coming as follows to its cash cow.

What’s New?

• Competitive Gameplay: Gameplay centering on responsiveness, more consistency, and higher control.
• Live Events: A new way to compete, with varied match settings, entry requirements, and new formats including Tournaments and Gauntlets.
• Rivals & Champs Revamp: No more Playoffs. Direct qualification, new Bounties, and Limited Checkpoints.
• FUT Match Outcome Improvements: Additional updates in FC 26 to award a win when an opponent quits or disconnects during a draw.
• Evolutions Updates: Evolve Goalkeepers, combine cosmetic upgrades without losing existing styles, and maintain the look of your players when upgrading them.

Let’s pull a few interesting things out of the hat to look at in a little more detail.

FC Pro Live Events

For the first time, FC Pro is directly integrated into the game and provides top-tier Division Rivals players the opportunity to compete against the very best.

You will be able to register for FC Pro comps directly from within FUT, which is interesting.

Revamped Rivals

Some fan-requested changes are incoming here. Players believe there are too many matches, and motivation can drop off. While there are no specific changes named as yet, the devs point out that the feedback has been heard and they are “working on it”.

Sneaky quitters

There is nothing more annoying than the fool you are playing quitting because things aren’t going their way. Players have complained that they haven’t been getting the win when an opponent quits after a draw, and this seems to be because they have been disconnecting. In EA FC26, disconnects (including dashboard quits) are added to the previously enabled quits.

This means, if the criteria for a quit are met, you will get the win if they disappear while the game is tied.

What else is new in FUT?

There’s a ton more, so you can read the Deep Drive blog at your leisure, but Tournaments are back with knockout play, and a new mode called Gauntlets is coming that brings all-new challenges, while Champions will also get big improvements alongside Rivals.

Pre-orders with bonuses run until the end of the month, so if you are annual purchaser, makes sure you get everything you can before it bleeds you dry for another year.