EA Sports FC 26’s 2025/26 esports season brings major changes — expanded qualifiers, in-game competitive access, new amateur pathways, and a $1m prize pool.
Major Changes in EA Sports FC 26 Esports Season 2025/26
EA SPORTS has announced sweeping changes to its EA Sports FC Pro competitive ecosystem for the 2025/26 season, aiming to broaden participation and streamline the pathway from amateur to elite esports competition.
One of the biggest updates is the overhaul of the qualification process for the FC Pro World Championship. The number of players advancing from the World Championship Play-Ins will double, with 16 direct league qualifiers and eight FC Pro Open slots. EA’s goal is to make the journey to the top more accessible while maintaining a high level of competition.
A major innovation is integrating FC Pro Open Ladder registration directly into the game. Starting September 22nd, players on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S who reach Division 4 in Rivals before October 1st will unlock access to competitive play. PS5 players can progress to FC Pro Open Regional Qualifiers, while Xbox players will receive in-game rewards for their performance.
The FC Pro Open Global Qualifier will use an Elo-based ranking system to seed players into online regional qualifiers on October 11th and 12th. Each region will have a different quota based on competitiveness. The top 48 performers will earn a trip to Atlanta for the live Global Qualifier at DreamHack (October 31st–November 2nd).
In addition, a Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) will feature 256 players battling for four remaining Global Qualifier spots. This year’s LCQ has been streamlined, halving the player pool from the previous season. Priority will be given to the top 128 in the FC Pro World Rankings before opening slots to public registration later this month.
The Global Qualifier will retain its established structure: 64 players in a Swiss stage, followed by a double-elimination bracket with four groups. The top four in each group (16 total) will secure their place in the FC Pro Open.
The FC Pro Open itself will run weekly from November 24th to January 26th, featuring 24 players divided into four groups of six. Each competitor will face group opponents twice, with group winners advancing to the top eight of the FC Pro Open Finals and locking in a World Championship spot. Second and third place finishers will also qualify. The FC Pro Open winner will claim $100,000 from the $1 million prize pool.
For those outside the FC Pro Open, three monthly Cups will offer additional chances to qualify for the World Championship Play-Ins. Points earned from these events will determine regional invitations.
EA Sports also confirmed that partner football leagues will continue sending players directly to the World Championship, with two seats each. However, newer and returning leagues will instead have their players enter via the Play-Ins, ensuring a balanced competitive field.
With more accessible entry points, a larger pool of qualifiers, and a richer prize fund, EA Sports FC 26 is setting the stage for one of its most competitive and inclusive esports seasons yet.
