
Building a dream squad is at the heart of EA Sports FC 26 Ultimate Team. Players all over the world are constantly chasing the best cards, and while buying packs is always an option, many fans prefer to grind for rewards through gameplay. Modes like Division Rivals, Squad Battles, and FUT Champions not only test your skills but also provide weekly rewards in the form of packs, coins, and players. Since rewards arrive on fixed schedules, fans eagerly log in at the same time every week hoping to pull something special. Here's a full breakdown of when to expect Rivals, Squad Battle, and Champions rewards in EA FC 26.
Division Rivals Rewards
Division Rivals remains one of the most played modes in FC 26 Ultimate Team. It lets you match up against other players online, climbing through divisions as you collect wins. The higher your division and the more games you complete, the stronger your weekly rewards will be.

Rivals rewards are released every Thursday at 12am PT / 3am ET / 8am UK / 9am CET. Once the rewards drop, your progress resets and you'll need to grind through the division ladder again to maximize next week's prize. The packs and coins you've earned become immediately available, either through the in-game Store or on the EA FC Companion app.
Choosing how you take your rewards is another feature of Rivals. Players often decide between untradeable packs (which give more value but can't be sold on the market) or tradeable ones (with fewer packs, but you can sell what you pack). This system adds a layer of strategy for those aiming to build coins quickly.
Z2U provides FC 26 coins for sale at discounted costs for gamers who want to advance more quickly. This makes it simpler to bolster your team without having to wait weeks for prizes.
Squad Battles Rewards
Although not as popular as Rivals, Squad Battles still has a loyal player base—mainly because it allows gamers to face AI-controlled squads rather than human opponents. It's a slower but more predictable way of earning rewards, ideal for those who prefer offline play. To maximize your rank, you'll need to complete around 18 matches each week.

Rewards for Squad Battles arrive every Sunday at 12am PT / 3am ET / 8am UK / 9am CET. Once rewards are delivered, your ranking resets, and you'll have to play through another set of matches if you want to earn more the following week.
A useful tip: always play the Featured Squad and the Team of the Week squad. Victories against these special lineups award double the points compared to standard opponents, making them crucial for climbing the leaderboard and securing better packs.
FUT Champions Rewards
FUT Champions—often simply called Champs—is the most competitive mode in EA FC 26 Ultimate Team. While it requires qualification, it also promises the best prizes, including premium packs, coins, and guaranteed Team of the Week player picks.
Rewards here are a little different compared to Rivals and Squad Battles. As soon as you complete all 15 of your FUT Champs matches for that weekend, your rewards are immediately granted. If you don't finish your full set of games, you'll still receive rewards, but only once the event concludes—usually around 10pm ET on Monday night.

Champions itself runs from Friday 1pm ET through late Monday evening, giving you a three-day window to complete your matches. Because of the shorter schedule and high level of competition, Champs rewards are often considered the most valuable in the game. Many of the fastest and most meta players are found in FUT Champs picks, making this mode essential for players aiming to compete at the top level.
To even enter Champs, you must have first reached Division 6 in Rivals and collected 1,000 Champions Qualification Points, which are earned through Rivals victories. This ensures only players who put in the work can compete for the top prizes.
You may also purchase cheap FUT 26 coins from z2u.com to start team building if you want to swiftly improve your FUT Champions squad.
Key Dates to Remember
It's important to note that the first FUT Champions weekend in EA FC 26 won't start until October 3rd. This gap is intentional, giving players who buy the Standard Edition (releasing on September 26th) enough time to grind Rivals, reach Division 6, and earn their qualification points.
So to recap:
●Division Rivals rewards: Every Thursday, 12am PT / 3am ET / 8am UK / 9am CET
●Squad Battles rewards: Every Sunday, 12am PT / 3am ET / 8am UK / 9am CET
●FUT Champs rewards: Instantly after completing matches, or by Monday night at the latest
Whether you're an online competitor or someone who prefers battling AI squads, knowing these timings is key. Stay on top of them, and you'll maximize your chances of pulling rare cards and strengthening your squad throughout the season.