EA Sports FC 26 Global Release Times: Complete Guide

FC 26 Jack
Last Updated Time: 09-18 17:16

Early Access Release Times
Standard Edition Release Times
Companion and Web App Release
How to Play Early

If previous installments are anything to go by, EA Sports FC 26 will likely end up being one of the best-selling video games of the year. With the game's launch now looming large on the horizon, many football fans are keen to learn when exactly they can start playing it, and whether or not there'll be any kind of early access period.

As with last year's edition, EA Sports FC 26 release times vary a little depending on where in the world you're living and the platform on which you plan on playing it. This guide has PC, Xbox, and PlayStation release times for FC 26, as well as information about the companion and web apps for the game.

Early Access Release Times for FC 26

According to an official blog post on EA.com, console players with the Ultimate Edition will be able to start playing EA Sports FC 26 at midnight, local time, on September 19, with local time determined by the region of their console or account. For PC players, early access will begin at 1 pm BST on September 18, which works out to be 8 am EDT or 2 pm CEST.

Location / Time Zone	Console Release Time	PC Release Time
Los Angeles (PDT)	Console 21:00 (September 18)	PC 05:00 (September 18)
New York (EDT)	Console 00:00 (September 19)	PC 08:00 (September 18)
London (BST)	Console 00:00 (September 19)	PC 13:00 (September 18)
Berlin (CEST)	Console 00:00 (September 19)	PC 14:00 (September 18)
Cairo (EEST)	Console 00:00 (September 19)	PC 15:00 (September 18)
Tokyo (JST)	Console 00:00 (September 19)	PC 21:00 (September 18)
Sydney (AEST)	Console 00:00 (September 19)	PC 22:00 (September 18)
Auckland (NZST)	Console 00:00 (September 19)	PC 00:00 (September 19)

Standard Edition Release Times for FC 26

The standard edition of FC 26 will go live exactly one week after the early access period kicks off, meaning console players will gain access at midnight, local time, on September 26. For those on PC, the standard edition of EA Sports FC 26 will be playable from 2 pm BST on September 25.

Location / Time Zone	Console Release Time	PC Release Time
Los Angeles (PDT)	Console 21:00 (September 26)	PC 05:00 (September 25)
New York (EDT)	Console 00:00 (September 26)	PC 08:00 (September 25)
London (BST)	Console 00:00 (September 26)	PC 13:00 (September 25)
Berlin (CEST)	Console 00:00 (September 26)	PC 14:00 (September 25)
Cairo (EEST)	Console 00:00 (September 26)	PC 15:00 (September 25)
Tokyo (JST)	Console 00:00 (September 26)	PC 21:00 (September 25)
Sydney (AEST)	Console 00:00 (September 26)	PC 22:00 (September 25)
Auckland (NZST)	Console 00:00 (September 26)	PC 00:00 (September 26)

EA Sports FC 26 Companion and Web App Release Times

According to EA, the FC 26 Web App will launch on September 17, with the Companion App refresh set to go live on September 18. As of the time of writing, the exact times for these have yet to be officially confirmed, although if last year's release times are anything to go by, football fans can expect them to go live at 6 pm BST on their respective release days.

Note: The companion apps allow you to start building and managing your Ultimate Team through pack openings and the transfer market before the full game launches.

How to Play EA Sports FC 26 Early

To get FC 26 early access, players can purchase the Ultimate Edition of EA Sports FC 26. Alternatively, EA Play members can take advantage of a 10-hour early access trial, with EA Play Pro members getting unlimited access to the trial on PC.

The Ultimate Edition of FC 26 also includes:

6,000 FC Points
The Season 1 Premium Pass
An additional Evo Slot
Exclusive Clubs and Career mode content

Pro Tip: EA Play subscriptions often offer a discount on the full game purchase, making it a cost-effective way to get early access and save money on the game itself.