A new soccer season is right around the corner, which also means it’s not long now until EA Sports releases EA FC 26. Before that though, opportunities will be available to play the game early in the closed beta.
EA FC 26 releases on September 26 worldwide, though seven days of early access are available with the Ultimate Edition, and plenty is being tweaked for the new release, with teasers shown in the trailer for a major gameplay overhaul.
The EA FC 26 Beta will be the first chance for players to experience the changes for themselves during a lengthy hands-on period, and we’ve got all the details you need.
When is The EA FC 26 Beta?
Dates for the EA FC 26 Beta have not been announced, though it’s expected that the Beta period will begin in mid-August, based on previous years.
Last year, the FC 25 Beta began on Tuesday, August 6, while the Beta for FC 24 the previous year began on Thursday, August 10. Due to this, it’s not clear on exactly which day of the week the FC 26 Beta will begin.
With the previous dates, however, we can predict a release period for the beta, with it likely to begin the second week of August. Therefore, we expect the EA FC 26 Beta to begin at some point between August 11 and August 15.
What Will be in The EA FC 26 Beta?
Those accepted into the EA FC 26 Beta will only have access to limited modes, at least initially, with the three main ones being Ultimate Team, Career Mode, and Pro Clubs.
Toward the end of the Beta, all game modes will likely open up for all players, as this has been the process in previous years, but it could feature access for all modes. Regardless, any mode you receive Beta access to also includes the standard kick-off mode.
The main reason for the Beta will be for EA Sports to stress test the servers and receive feedback on changes made to the game, which can then be implemented before the release at the end of September.
As always, any progress made in the Beta will not be saved for you to continue with when EA FC 26 releases fully, nor are there likely to be any rewards for those who participate.
How to Join the EA FC 26 Beta
Beta invites for EA FC 26 will be distributed at random and require signing up for EA Playtesting and opting in for email communication. However, this doesn’t guarantee a spot.
Restrictions on location are also present, with last year’s beta only available for those in the United States and United Kingdom, and it’s likely the same regional restrictions will remain in place.
To be in with a chance of securing entry to the EA FC 26 Closed Beta, follow these steps:
- Sign up for EA Playtesting.
- Log into your EA Account.
- Go to Account Settings.
- Select the Email Preferences option.
- Make sure the box to provide your consent for communication is checked.
- Add games to the Preferred Games section, ensuring EA FC is selected.
- Select your Preferred Platform.
If you are selected to participate in the EA FC 26 Closed Beta, you will receive an email before the servers go live. This cannot be shared with others and is account-bound.
Make sure to check your junk folder just in case, as it might slip through the net, but if you haven’t heard anything by the time the servers for the Closed Beta open up, you probably haven’t been selected.
How many EA FC Closed Betas have you been invited to in previous years? Which game mode do you want? Let us know in the Insider Gaming forum.
For more EA FC 26, learn how to provide direct feedback about the game, and take a look at all the licensed clubs, leagues, and competitions.
