When Does EA FC 26 Early Access Start?

The release of EA FC 26 is less than two weeks away, with the game set to release to all gamers on September 26. For fans impatient to try their hands at the latest edition, however, upgraded editions with early access are a popular selection. The good news is that EA FC 26 does offer early access if you’re not able to wait until the 26th.

When does early access begin? How long will players who purchase early access get to play with the game before it reaches the general public? Is there any way to move your window even further forward? We’ve got all these answers for you.

EA FC 26 Early Access Release Date

EA FC 26 will feature a one-week early access period, meaning it will be available to players with early access beginning on Friday, September 19. To gain early access and be among the first players taking to the virtual pitches, you must purchase the upgraded Ultimate Edition of EA FC 26 or be a subscriber to EA Play Pro, which also grants the benefits of Ultimate Edition access.

For players who have either the Ultimate Edition or the Pro-level EA Play pass, the game will unlock with full access on Friday. There is no restriction on the amount of time you can spend playing the game or the modes you have access to. It is a full release of the game, arriving one week before the Standard Edition unlocks.

Can You Play A Trial of EA FC 26 Early

If you don’t have the EA Play Pro pass or a pre-order for the Ultimate Edition of EA FC 26, that doesn’t mean you can’t still get a chance to play the game early in a limited capacity. With a base-level EA Play account, you gain access to a scaled-back version of the Pro level, and that includes a 10-hour trial of EA FC 26.

While this will not allow you to play to your heart’s content, it does mean you can try out the game and build a little more excitement for the full release at the end of next week while still providing a lot of hands-on time with the game, whether you just can’t wait or are trying to see if it’s a game you want to purchase when the full release drops.

Does The “New Zealand Trick” Work For EA FC 26 Early Access?

The New Zealand Trick is a method of unlocking games with regional unlock times earlier by setting your region on your console to New Zealand. This allows you to access the game at the release time when it hits in New Zealand, before it’s officially out in your region.

Now, the question is, does the New Zealand trick work for EA FC 26? The answer is yes, but only for Xbox. Unlike other EA games that have a global release date, FC 26 is released region-wise, so by changing your region to NZ, you can play the game early. Here’s how to do it:

• Boot up your Xbox
• Head into the Settings menu
• Select System
• Select Language and Location
• Change Location to New Zealand
• Restart the Xbox
• Launch the game from your library

By doing so, you’ll be able to play the game before the US or UK launch of Early Access.

If you’re on PlayStation or PC, you won’t be able to use this trick as your account is region-locked. However, if you’re subscribed to EA Play or Pro, then you’ll get the game at the same time as the New Zealand release. This works across all platforms, whether you’re on PlayStation, Xbox, or PC.

With early access just a few days away, the most avid EA FC players are no doubt champing at the bit to get playing. Will you be going in for the early access upsell or sticking to the standard edition when it drops on next Friday?