EA Sports FC 26

The Team of the Year (TOTY) promo in EA Sports FC 26 Ultimate Team is one of the most anticipated events of the season. It brings some of the game's most powerful cards, reshapes the in-game market, and fundamentally alters how squads are built and upgraded throughout the year. TOTY typically launches around mid-January — with the 2026 iteration expected to begin on January 16th at the usual daily content reset time — and continues for about two weeks, with staggered drops of attackers, midfielders, defenders, and full squad windows.

While packing one of the coveted blue TOTY cards is notoriously difficult due to low pack weighting, smart preparation can give you the best possible odds and positioning when the event goes live. Below is a comprehensive guide to help you get your club ready, whether you're chasing elite players, stacking coins, or securing valuable SBC fodder.

1. Start Stockpiling Packs Strategically

One of the best early moves is to save packs earned through gameplay rather than opening them immediately. Packs from Division Rivals, Champions, Squad Battles, Objectives, Seasons, and Daily Upgrades are all valuable sources. However, you don't want to hoard too early — save them for about a week or two before TOTY to balance your short-term and long-term needs.

When choosing which packs to keep, prioritize those with high overall odds — generally anything above 82+ or better. Packs that promise multiple players or high-rated contents are more worth keeping than standard low-value packs. If you open the lower-rated ones, use the cards as fodder in Upgrade SBCs like 82×10 or 85×5 before TOTY begins.

Tip: If you need extra coins to complete packs or upgrade your squad faster, you can also buy FC 26 coins from a reliable platform like Z2U, ensuring you have the flexibility to act quickly during the promo.

2. Build a Healthy Fodder Base

SBC fodder is essential during TOTY because many special challenges will launch alongside the promo, often requiring stacked squads of players. Having a cache of untradeable and tradeable cards, including Team of the Week (TOTW) items, can help you complete these efficiently.

It's a good idea to save current promo cards and mid-to-high rated players rather than selling or using them up. These cards are frequently used in upgrade requirements when SBCs appear during the TOTY window. You won't need an enormous pile, but having enough to complete several SBCs without struggling is recommended.

3. Understand the Market Cycle and Sell at the Right Time

During TOTY, the Ultimate Team transfer market typically goes through a rapid crash in item prices. This happens because many players open packs simultaneously, increasing the supply of cards while demand temporarily declines.

Older promo cards, meta golds, and even some useful players can drop in value drastically. This trend presents two key opportunities: you can sell tradable cards before the crash to maximize coin returns, and you can later repurchase them cheaper when the market has settled. Paying close attention to price fluctuations and market timing can give you a big advantage compared to passive players.

4. Save Your Coins and Spend Wisely

Coins are going to be crucial throughout TOTY, as you will almost certainly want the flexibility to buy specific players from the transfer market, bid in auctions, or pick up cheap fodder when needed.

Before TOTY, consider refraining from spending coins on Evolution SBCs or player SBCs unless they provide strong long-term value. Just before and during the promo, certain meta cards or Icon players might be worth picking up when the market experiences volatility. By holding coins, you give yourself options for sniping underpriced cards or competing in bidding wars that help strengthen your squad.

To find budget-friendly option, you can get cheap FC 26 coins for sale at z2u.com, giving you more purchasing power without breaking the bank.

5. Time Your Pack Openings for Maximum Impact

Once TOTY hits Ultimate Team, packs will generally go live in phases — attackers first, then midfielders, defenders, goalkeepers, and finally the full TOTY squad. Historically, attacking cards are the hardest to pull while defensive slots are slightly easier.

Instead of opening all your packs immediately when the promo starts, consider strategic timing. Trusted advice suggests opening small batches during early positional drops to test your luck, and then saving the bulk of your packs for when the full TOTY squad is available, maximizing your chances of pulling high-value players.

Conclusion

The Team of the Year event is one of the most exhilarating — and challenging — portions of the FC 26 Ultimate Team cycle. With elite cards that redefine squad chemistry, a volatile market, and a packed SBC lineup, planning ahead gives you the best chance to succeed. There's no guaranteed way to pull a TOTY card due to the low odds, but smart preparation can significantly improve your experience and results when the blue cards begin dropping in January.