FC 26: How to Get Season 1 of the Premium Pass
EA FC 26 is shaping up to be the biggest installment yet in EA's rebranded football franchise, and if you've picked up the Ultimate Edition, you've already secured early access, extra perks, and exclusive content. But one of the questions many players have been asking is: How do you get Season 1 of the Premium Pass in EA FC 26 Ultimate Edition?
This guide will walk you through everything: what the Premium Pass is, what it offers in Season 1, how to claim it through your Ultimate Edition perks, and strategies to maximize its rewards before it expires. By the end, you'll know exactly how to unlock, activate, and make the most out of Season 1.
What Is the Premium Pass?
The Premium Pass in EA FC 26 works much like a battle pass system in other live-service games. It's a seasonal progression path that rewards you as you play matches, complete objectives, and climb through tiers of experience (XP).
There are typically two tracks:
Free Pass (Base Rewards) – Available to all players, even without purchasing. Includes consumables, packs, and small bonuses.
Premium Pass (Upgraded Rewards) – Unlocks exclusive content such as player picks, higher-tier packs, stadium items, tifos, and early-access cosmetic upgrades.
The Premium Pass is seasonal, meaning each new season (usually lasting 6–8 weeks) brings a fresh set of challenges and exclusive content. In Season 1, EA wants to set the tone by offering exciting items tied to early-game progression and Ultimate Team customization.
What Does the Ultimate Edition Include?
If you bought the Ultimate Edition of EA FC 26, you're in luck—because Season 1 of the Premium Pass is already bundled with your purchase. Here's what the Ultimate Edition typically includes (based on EA's recent trend with FC 24 and 25):
7 Days Early Access (play before Standard Edition players).
4,600 FC Points (usable for packs or Pass tier skips).
Dual Entitlement (play across PS5/PS4 or Xbox Series/One).
Team of the Week Loan Players for early advantage.
Ultimate Team Campaign Loan Picks (for promo cards).
Exclusive PlayStyles upgrades.
Season 1 Premium Pass (the full upgraded seasonal track unlocked from day one).
That last perk is key: you don't have to buy Season 1 separately if you have the Ultimate Edition—it's automatically included.
How to Unlock Season 1 Premium Pass
If you've bought the Ultimate Edition, here's how to make sure your Premium Pass is unlocked correctly:
Step 1: Install and Launch the Game
Make sure you're signed into the same account where you purchased or redeemed the Ultimate Edition.
On launch day (or early access week), download and start EA FC 26.
Step 2: Claim Your Ultimate Edition Perks
Navigate to Ultimate Team → Store → My Packs.
You'll see the Ultimate Edition perks available to claim. This includes your 4,600 FC Points and your Premium Pass entitlement.
Step 3: Activate the Premium Pass
Go to the Season Progress tab (on the Ultimate Team main menu).
You should see the Season 1 track with both Free and Premium tiers. If the Premium track is unlocked, your edition has applied correctly.
Step 4: Start Earning XP
Begin completing objectives, playing Squad Battles, Rivals, and FUT Champs to gain XP. Every tier you unlock now applies to both the free and premium rewards.
Troubleshooting: If the Pass Doesn't Unlock
Occasionally, players run into issues where the Premium Pass doesn't appear:
Restart the Game: Close and reopen the app.
Check for Updates: Make sure your version is the latest patch.
Verify Edition Ownership: On PlayStation, Xbox, or PC, confirm you downloaded the Ultimate Edition, not the Standard Edition.
Redeem Codes (If Applicable): Physical copies or third-party purchases sometimes include codes you must redeem manually.
Contact EA Help: If all else fails, open a support ticket with proof of Ultimate Edition purchase.
What's in Season 1 of the Premium Pass?
While rewards may vary slightly across platforms or regions, here's what you can expect from Season 1 Premium Pass in FC 26 based on previous passes and official teasers:
Exclusive Player Picks (loan stars and special promo items).
Premium Packs (Gold Rare, Jumbo Rare, and special promo packs).
FC Points or Coins Boosts (additional consumables to boost progression).
Cosmetic Items (stadium themes, tifos, badges, kits, and celebrations).
Early Evolutions Materials (items for upgrading select players in the new Evolution system).
In total, Season 1 usually includes around 30–40 tiers of rewards, ensuring you have something new to unlock every time you hit a milestone.
How to Progress Quickly Through the Premium Pass
Unlocking the Premium Pass is just the first step—completing it before the season ends is the real challenge. Here are strategies to maximize your progress in Season 1.
1. Focus on Daily and Weekly Objectives
Each day, log in to complete simple tasks like "Score 3 goals with midfielders" or "Play 2 matches."
Weekly objectives give bigger XP chunks, often tied to squad building or themed challenges.
2. Grind Squad Battles Early
In the first weeks, Squad Battles are a safe way to farm XP and objectives without facing tough Rivals opponents.
Target difficulty levels you can consistently win—grinding wins is more efficient than losing on higher difficulties.
3. Play Rivals Consistently
Division Rivals is designed to reward steady play. Even a few matches a day builds both XP and long-term seasonal rewards.
Aim for streaks to maximize points.
4. Use Your 4,600 FC Points Wisely
You can buy packs, but many players recommend saving at least some FC Points to skip Premium Pass tiers if you fall behind.
This ensures you reach the final rewards before the season ends.
5. Optimize with Evolutions
Some objectives tie into the new Evolutions system (custom player upgrades). Using evolving players in matches may double-dip progress for both Evo growth and Pass XP.
Best Rewards to Aim For in Season 1
While every tier has value, some stand out:
High-Tier Promo Packs – Gives early access to strong cards when the market is still young.
Special Player Pick – Could be a season-defining starter for your Ultimate Team.
Coin Boosts – Early-game coins let you secure meta players while prices are lower.
Cosmetics – Exclusive tifos and kits may never return, making them collectors' items.
Evolution Materials – Unlocks more player upgrade opportunities without spending FC 26 coins.
Should You Still Get Premium Pass If You Don't Have Ultimate Edition?
Yes—if you bought the Standard Edition, you can still purchase the Premium Pass separately in-game using FC Points or real money. Here's why it's worth considering:
Value for Money: The total packs, players, and consumables often exceed the cost of the pass.
Early Advantage: Helps you build a stronger team faster than Free Pass players.
Exclusive Rewards: Cosmetics and unique picks won't be available later.
For competitive Ultimate Team players, the Premium Pass is almost essential. Casual players who log in only once a week may not see as much value, since completing the Pass requires steady play.
Season Timeline and Expiration
Season 1 usually lasts 6–8 weeks from launch.
After it ends, unclaimed rewards are forfeited, and Season 2 begins with a fresh Pass.
To maximize efficiency, start progressing as soon as Season 1 launches rather than waiting until the final week.
Expert Tips for Season 1 Success
Stack Rewards: Complete multiple objectives in a single match (e.g., use an Evo player, score with midfielders, and win).
Weekend League (FUT Champs): Once unlocked, it's one of the best XP sources due to the sheer volume of matches.
Don't Waste XP: Any excess XP rolls into the next tier automatically—play until the last minute to maximize gains.
Stay Updated: EA sometimes adds limited-time Season 1 objectives tied to promos—keep checking the "Objectives" tab.
Team Synergy: Build squads that help you complete objectives faster (e.g., one league for chemistry, one striker for goal-based objectives).
Final Thoughts
The Premium Pass in EA FC 26 Ultimate Edition is one of the most rewarding early-game systems, offering a steady stream of packs, players, and customization options throughout Season 1. By owning the Ultimate Edition, you automatically unlock it—removing the need to spend extra.
The key, however, isn't just having access—it's staying consistent with your playtime to ensure you reach the final tiers before the season expires. Between squad battles, rivals, and objective grinding, you'll want to set aside regular sessions to climb the ladder.
If you're a competitive player, the Premium Pass is almost mandatory, giving you the tools to stay ahead in the transfer market and build a meta squad early. For collectors and casual players, it provides rare cosmetics and valuable long-term rewards.
So, log in, claim your Ultimate Edition perks, and start working through Season 1. With smart time management and strategic gameplay, you'll squeeze every bit of value out of the Premium Pass—and set yourself up for a strong year in EA FC 26.
MMOexp FC 26 Team