Football fans won’t have much longer to wait until EA Sports FC 25 sprints onto consoles and PC.
Before its official release at the end of September, players can try the game formerly known as FIFA one week early.
Here’s how and when you can start playing EA Sports FC 25, including information on pre-orders, the Ultimate Edition, and more.
EA FC 25 release date
EA Sports FC 25 is being released on September 27, 2024, on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.
The specific launch time for the football sim has not yet been revealed but games typically launch at midnight local time on consoles and at 6pm on PC via Steam.
Two editions will be available at launch: the standard edition for £69.99 and the Ultimate Edition for £99.99 (more details are below).
EA FC 25 early access start date
Before its release, EA Sports FC 25 will be available to play in early access on September 20, 2024.
How to get early access
You can play the game in two ways on that date — and both require you to fork out some cash.
For unrestricted early access, you can pre-order the Ultimate Edition for £99.99 or subscribe to EA Play’s Pro Tier for £16.99 per month.
The latter is video game studio EA’s gaming subscription service, which offers unlimited access to its games, including new releases such as EA Sports FC 25, as long as your membership is active.
Meanwhile, a shorter early access trial capped at 10 hours will also be available on the EA Play Basic tier, which costs £5.99. This subscription plan doesn’t include the full game, so you must purchase that separately or upgrade to the Pro tier to play it upon its release.
What’s included in early access?
Unlike some games that offer previews in the form of betas before launch, EA is unlocking its entire footy game one week early for those who pre-order it or subscribe to EA Play Pro.
That means you’ll get access to all the game modes and features, and the ability to start the popular Ultimate Team mode, with your progress carrying over to the full release.
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What’s in the Ultimate Edition?
The two editions of EA Sports FC 25 both come with pre-order perks. If you opt for the Ultimate Edition, you’ll receive the following benefits:
- Up to seven days early access from September 20
- 4600 FC Points
- Ultimate Team Player Evolution Slot
- Early Access Rush Rewards
- All the standard edition pre-order content
The standard edition, meanwhile, offers the following pre-order bonuses:
- Cover star loan player for 10 matches
- An ambassador loan player pick in Ultimate Team (10 matches)
- Unlocked PlayStyles Slot in Clubs
- 250,000 Clubs Coins
- Additional player personality points in Player Career
- 3 Icon players in Player Career (Galácticos Beckham, Zidane and Ronaldo Nazário)
- 5-Star coach available for hire in Manager Career
- 5-Star youth scout available for hire in Manager Career.
Additionally, extra bonuses were tied to the Ultimate Edition. However, these were available only to those who pre-ordered before August 20.
EA FC 25’s biggest changes
EA Sports FC has many new features that will be visible on and off its virtual footy pitches.
One of the biggest innovations EA is promising is the introduction of FC IQ, a new tactical system to bring more strategic depth to the game. Chances are, you probably won’t use the exhaustive range of customisable player roles on offer (50 to be precise), but they should make you feel like a real-world gaffer.
The new system also offers real-time tactical suggestions during matches, allowing for on-the-fly adjustments that can turn the tide of a game.
Another major change in EA Sports FC 25 is the arrival of Rush Mode, a fresh five-a-side experience that replaces the previous Volta mode. Throwing fixed positions and traditional offside rules out of the window, the fast-paced matches could deliver unpredictable results.
One of the most groundbreaking changes in EA Sports FC 25 is women's football in Career Mode. Players can manage teams from the top five women's leagues for the first time, offering a bigger range of football management.
This new addition reflects the growing prominence of women's football globally and offers players a more diverse and inclusive gaming experience.
With enhancements including Hypermotion V technology, which delivers even more realistic animations and player movements, and the updates to Ultimate Team, EA Sports FC 25 is poised to be another solid entry in the storied franchise.
When are the EA Sports FC web and companion apps out?
Thanks to the game’s companion apps, you can continue managing your Ultimate Team even when you’re away from your console or PC.
That way you can open packs and complete Squad Building Challenges on the go (or in bed, if you’re hooked on the game).
Although EA hasn’t confirmed when the apps will be released, we can take an educated guess based on past launch dates.
