FC 26: How to Grind During Winter Wildcards and Pack Content for TOTY

The Winter Wildcards (WW) period in EA FC 26 is one of the most important stretches of the Ultimate Team calendar. It sits directly before Team of the Year (TOTY), a promo that defines the power curve for months. Smart players don't just open packs and hope-they grind efficiently, stockpiling fodder, coins, and repeatable rewards so that when TOTY arrives, they're ready to maximize value.

This guide breaks down exactly how to grind during WW and pack-heavy periods, focusing on daily routines, crafting upgrades, League SBC efficiency, and which upgrades are actually worth your time.

Why WW Grinding Matters Before TOTY

TOTY is brutally unforgiving. Pack weight is low, SBC costs spike, and premium fodder becomes scarce overnight. Players who fail to prepare often burn all their resources early and miss out on meaningful SBCs like Icon upgrades, Flashbacks, or Player Moments.

Winter Wildcards acts as the perfect accumulation phase:

High-volume pack SBCs

Repeatable crafting upgrades

League SBC refreshes

Daily engagement rewards

If you grind correctly, WW is not about pulling top cards-it's about building an endless fodder loop.

First Steps to Grind (What You Should Do Every Day)

Consistency is the single most important factor. Even casual daily play compounds massively over 3–4 weeks.

1. Complete Daily SBCs Without Exception

Every day, EA releases at least one of the following:

Daily Login SBC

Bronze or Silver Upgrade SBC

Daily Crafting Challenge (WW-themed)

Even if rewards seem small, these SBCs:

Count toward objective groups

Feed into repeatable upgrades

Stack fodder for League SBCs

Missing days breaks momentum and reduces total returns.

2. Clear Objective-Based Packs

Check Objectives daily for:

WW Crafting Objectives

Pack milestones (e.g., "Complete X SBCs")

Seasonal ladder rewards

These packs are often untradeable, which is perfect for grinding because they feed directly back into SBC loops without risking coins.

3. Manage Your Club Constantly

Grinding fails when your club becomes clogged.

Daily habits:

Quick-sell duplicate low-value bronzes

Send rare gold duplicates directly into upgrades

Save high-rated fodder (84+) unless required

Club management is not glamorous, but it's essential for infinite grinding.

How to Grind: Crafting Upgrades Explained

Crafting upgrades are the backbone of WW grinding. They are repeatable SBCs designed to convert low-value cards into higher pack volume.

WW Crafting Upgrade Objectives

Many WW crafting SBCs are tied to objective groups, such as:

Complete X crafting SBCs → Get Rare Player Packs

Repeatable milestones with escalating rewards

These objectives are often repeatable infinitely, meaning every SBC completed pushes you closer to another pack.

Why Crafting SBCs Are So Powerful

Crafting SBCs:

Accept mixed fodder (bronze/silver/gold)

Require minimal chemistry

Reward packs that re-feed the system

They turn your club into a closed-loop economy, where nothing goes to waste.

Optimal Crafting Flow

The most efficient loop looks like this:

Bronze cards → Bronze Upgrade

Silvers → Silver Upgrade

Non-rare golds → WW Crafting Upgrade

Rare golds → 78+, 80+, or position-specific upgrades

High-rated pulls → Save for TOTY SBCs

Never break the loop unless you're crafting a premium SBC.

League SBCs: Still Worth Grinding?

Yes-but only if done correctly.

Why League SBCs Are Valuable During WW

League SBCs:

Offer tradable packs (coin generation)

Convert low-league cards into premium packs

Pair perfectly with crafting upgrades

However, blindly completing full League SBCs can be inefficient.

Smart League SBC Strategy

Focus on:

Leagues with low average card prices

Segments requiring common golds

Leagues where packs are tradeable

Examples (depending on market conditions):

Eredivisie

MLS

Saudi Pro League

Ligue 1 (partial segments)

Avoid overpaying for rare silvers or extinct cards unless the pack return is exceptional.

Partial Completion Is Key

You do not need to complete full League SBCs.

Instead:

Complete cheap segments

Skip overpriced ones

Recycle rewards into crafting upgrades

This keeps your coin balance stable while maintaining pack flow.

Which Upgrades Are Worth Completing?

Not all upgrades are created equal. During WW and pre-TOTY, efficiency matters more than hype.

High-Value Upgrades (Worth Grinding)

78+ / 79+ Player Picks

Excellent for recycling rares

Strong chance of 84–88 fodder

Minimal requirements

These are ideal during WW when pack weight is decent.

Position-Specific Upgrades

Examples:

Attackers Pack

Defenders Pack

Midfielders Pack

These are particularly valuable during TOTY buildup because:

They target TOTY positions

Reduce GK-heavy pack outcomes

WW Crafting Packs

Any SBC tied to a repeatable objective is almost always worth it, even if the pack itself looks mediocre.

Objective packs are where the real value lies.

Which Upgrades Are NOT Worth Completing?

Avoiding bad value SBCs saves more fodder than grinding ever earns.

Low-Value 82+ or 83+ Single Packs

These often:

Cost too many rares

Return low-rated duplicates

Do not contribute to objectives

Unless required for milestones, skip them.

High-Cost Gamble SBCs

Examples:

Base Icon Packs (pre-TOTY)

Hero Gamble SBCs

These drain fodder with minimal long-term benefit. Save these for TOTY when duplicate protection is more valuable.

Premium Player SBCs During WW

Unless the player fits your team perfectly:

Prices will drop

Better cards will release

TOTY SBCs will outperform them

Patience wins here.

Pack Management for TOTY

Grinding is only half the battle-pack discipline is the other half.

Which Packs to Save

Save:

Rare Player Packs

84× packs

Jumbo Rare Players Packs

Position-specific packs

Open:

Small mixed packs

Bronze/silver packs

Low-rated untradeables

When to Open Packs

The optimal window:

Full TOTY in packs (Attackers, Midfielders, Defenders + 12th Man)

Opening earlier drastically reduces your chances.

Market Strategy During WW

Grinding doesn't mean ignoring the market.

Smart moves:

Sell tradeable fodder during SBC spikes

Buy low during promo pack floods

Avoid investing in hype cards

FC 26 Coins should be liquid going into TOTY.

Final Thoughts: Grind Smart, Not Hard

Winter Wildcards in FC 26 is not about pulling insane cards-it's about preparation. By committing to daily SBCs, mastering crafting upgrades, selectively grinding League SBCs, and avoiding trap upgrades, you set yourself up for the most important promo of the year.

TOTY rewards patience, discipline, and volume. If you treat WW as your foundation rather than your finish line, you'll enter TOTY with:

Hundreds of saved packs

Massive high-rated fodder

Enough coins to capitalize on SBCs

That's how elite Ultimate Team players stay ahead-not by luck, but by grind efficiency.

MMOexp FC 26 Team