Madden 26: How to Get a Free 99 Overall and Stack Coins Smartly

As Madden 25 winds down and anticipation for Madden 26 builds, EA has introduced a unique currency that's shaking up Ultimate Team strategy-Star Power tokens. These collectibles are at the heart of the Rising Stars program, and they might be the smartest path to scoring a free 99 overall player or flipping a tidy profit on the auction house.

If you're sitting on Star Power and wondering what to do with it-upgrade players, complete sets, or cash in for coins-this guide will walk you through the smartest choices available in Madden 25 Ultimate Team that will carry momentum into Madden 26.

What Are Star Power Tokens?

Star Power is a limited-time currency introduced in the Rising Stars program. At the time of writing, players can earn 15 total Star Power tokens throughout the promo. You can't get them all in one day, but over time, consistent grind through solo challenges, field passes, and milestones will get you there.

The big question: what should you spend them on?

Option #1: Upgrading Rising Stars to 99 Overall

The first (and perhaps most obvious) option is to use your tokens to upgrade specific players. Only a few cards are eligible for upgrade, but they each offer powerful endgame potential.

 Jaylen Carter (DT)

 Starts at 97 OVR

 Costs 2 tokens to upgrade to 99 OVR

 Estimated cost of base card: ~400,000 coins

 Extremely strong with meta-tier abilities like Colossus

But: untradeable after upgrade

 Romo Dunze (WR)

 Starts at 94 OVR

 Costs 5 tokens to upgrade

 Obtainable for free via solo challenges (Tier 5 reward)

 Solid stats and utility, and much cheaper to start with

 Cooper DeJean (CB)

 Starts at 93 OVR

 Requires 6 tokens

 Highest token cost of the bunch

Not recommended if you want flexibility with your remaining tokens

These upgrades make your team stronger, but the downside? Once you've spent your tokens on these upgrades, you can't sell or trade the players. You're locked in.

Option #2: Star Power Champion Set (Auctionable 99 Overall)

Here's where things get interesting.

For 10 Star Power tokens, you can complete the 99 OVR Rising Star Champion Set. This pack gives you an auctionable and tradable 99 OVR player-a rare commodity this late in the Madden cycle. This route isn't just about upgrading your team; it's about flipping that card for Madden 26 coins.

Even better? If you time your redemption right-specifically after Rising Stars Part 2 releases-you'll gain access to newer, more expensive 99s. Prices for existing 99s drop as time goes on, but fresh cards retain higher value.

Best Strategy: Combo Play for Maximum Profit and Power

So, with 15 total tokens to use, what's the smartest play?

Step 1: Upgrade Romo Dunze (5 Tokens)

Romo is the sweet spot here. His upgrade path is relatively cheap at five tokens, and he gives your offense a boost at wide receiver. He's not as pricey to acquire as Jaylen Carter and not as token-hungry as Cooper DeJean.

You can grab Romo's 94 overall version for free through solo challenges. Just push to Tier 5 to unlock him, and eventually reach Tier 8 to grab another Star Power token. It's efficient, and Romo becomes a usable 99 with solid attributes and chemistry.

Step 2: Complete the 99 OVR Champion Pack (10 Tokens)

With your remaining 10 tokens, complete the Rising Star Champion Set and sell the reward. You're essentially getting a tradable 99 for free-minus the time invested. This set is likely the best coin-making method available in Madden 25 right now.

Pro tip: Wait until Part 2 of Rising Stars drops, then open your pack. The newer cards will be more expensive than current ones, giving you better ROI on the auction house.

Bonus Profit Strategy: Build the 99 OVR Set Manually

If you're not chasing tokens or have extra coins to invest, there's another way to cash in on this Rising Star promo:

The 99 OVR Rising Star Champion set only requires three 97 OVR Rising Star players. Right now, those 97s are hovering around 95K-100K on the auction block.

Let's break it down:

 3× 97 OVR players at ~100K = 300K total investment

 99 OVR Champion sells for ~360K-380K

 After 10% tax: Net profit = ~30K-40K per flip

 Time required: <5 minutes

Multiply that out across several sets, and you're easily making 100K+ per 15-20 minutes. This is the kind of low-risk, high-reward method that lets no-money-spent (NMS) players stack coins fast.

Which 99 OVRs Should You Sell?

Some names currently holding value include:

 Cedric Tillman-~380K

 Gervon Dexter Sr.-~375K

 Reed Blankenship-~366K

 JC Latham-~370K

Check prices before you pick. Prices fluctuate daily, especially as new cards drop. Don't blindly choose-always pick the highest-selling card, list just below market value, and secure the sale.Who Not to Spend Star Power On

Let's be real. Not all players are good investments of your limited currency. Avoid:

 Cooper DeJean-Costs 6 tokens to upgrade. That's nearly half your stash. You'll be locked out of the Champion set if you pick him. Doesn't provide enough unique value to justify the cost.

 Jaylen Carter-Amazing card, yes. But you're paying 400K upfront just for the 97 base. While only 2 tokens are required to upgrade, you're still investing major coin for a non-tradable reward.

Final Verdict: Star Power Playbook

If you're looking for a TL;DR, here's your ultimate Star Power currency gameplan for Madden 26:

 Upgrade Romo Dunze to 99 OVR-5 tokens

 Complete Rising Star Champion Pack-10 tokens

 Sell the champion 99 for easy profit

 Buy 97s to flip the manual 99 set and rake in more coins

Avoid overcommitting to players that limit flexibility, and always think two steps ahead. Every decision should either upgrade your roster or put more coins in your pocket-ideally both.

Looking Ahead to Madden 26

EA has laid the foundation for more value-driven mechanics in Ultimate Team. Currency systems like Star Power that give free 99s, auctionable rewards, and consistent profit potential are exactly what NMS players need to thrive.

If you're trying to build a God Squad without spending a dime, staying on top of these systems is a must. Smart currency use today in Madden 25 sets you up for a stronger start in Madden 26 tomorrow.

MMOexp Madden 26 Team